Without a doubt, brakes are one of the most important parts of any vehicle. Without them, driving a car would be a game of russian roulette (even more than it already is). That’s why it is so important that every part of the brake system works perfectly. Yet, sometimes, some parts may start to malfunction, and that’s not something you should ignore.
For example, brake calipers can get worn out over time. While worn-out calipers usually don’t pose an immediate danger, you shouldn’t postpone fixing this issue. Here is everything you should know about bad brake caliper symptoms and what to do about them:
5 Bad Brake Caliper Symptoms
The symptoms of a bad brake caliper might not be noticeable at first, but once you learn what to look out for, you won’t be able to miss them. There are five most common symptoms that you should be particularly aware of, so let’s take a closer look at them:
1. Uneven Brake Pad Wear
If everything is working properly, the brake pads are worn out evenly. So, if you notice uneven brake pad wear, that is a clear sign that your brake caliper system is getting bad. Oftentimes, this happens due to one caliper sticking to the pad, which can cause many issues long-term, including reduced braking effectiveness.
2. High-Pitched Squealing or Grinding Sounds
When you drive your car and press the brake, do you hear a high-pitched squealing, or maybe some grinding? That’s never a good sound.
Frequent high-pitched squealing or grinding sounds are both symptoms of a bad brake caliper. The caliper is stuck to the brake pad, pushing it against the rotor. This causes two metal surfaces to grind against each other and produce that distinct sound.
3. Your Car Pulls to One Side When Braking
Does your car pull to one side when braking? Normally, when you press the brake, both calipers work with the same braking force, and both of your wheels slow down and stop at the same time.
This means that you should keep a straight direction when braking, which is another way to tell if your brake caliper is bad. However, if one caliper malfunctions, your car will be pulled towards the side with a stronger braking force.
4. Soft Brake Pedal or Reduced Braking Power
Another symptom of a bad brake caliper is when you press the brake, it feels too soft and almost spongy. Normally, you should feel a firm and swift response from the brake pedal. However, with a bad caliper, you can press the pedal all the way down to the floor, and nothing happens. This is extremely dangerous, so pay close attention.
5. Leaking Brake Fluid
When brake calipers become worn out, they can often cause a brake fluid leak. These leaks are especially intense when breaking. The more fluid your calipers lose, the less effective they become. So, if you notice any fluid that has freshly leaked under your car, don’t ignore it. Find the cause behind the leak as soon as possible. Avoid driving your car until you figure it out and fix it.
How To Repair Bad Brake Calipers
So, let’s say you are experiencing one of the above-listed symptoms, and you are 100% sure your brake calipers are bad.
Diagnosing the issue is only the beginning - now you need to figure out how to conduct some brake caliper repair. Basically, you have two options. You can take your car to the mechanic and let them fix or replace your caliper.
Or, if you are experienced with car repairs, you can do it yourself. If this is the option you wanna go with, here is a short overview of how you can do it:
Brake Caliper Repair Steps
Park on level ground, loosen lug nuts, and follow these steps
- Park your car in a flat place, such as a garage or driveway.
- Jack up your car and secure it with jack stands.
- Remove the wheel whose caliper has gone bad.
- Disconnect the brake hose from the caliper, and don’t forget to catch fluid, because you don’t want it to leak all over your garage/driveway.
- Unbolt and remove the old caliper.
- Install a new caliper and tighten bolts.
- Reconnect the brake hose.
- Bleed the brakes to remove air.
- Reinstall the wheel and lower the car.
- Test brakes before driving.
In some cases, the caliper can be repaired instead of being replaced. For instance, if the caliper isn’t broken or worn down, the issue might be in its piston. You can use compression tools to retract the piston and reposition it back where it is supposed to be.
Try These Brake Caliper Compressor Tools
No matter if you want to replace or repair the broken caliper, you need the right tools to do it. These are the brake caliper compression tools, and here are our top picks:
24pcs Brake Caliper Compressor Tool Set
This brake caliper compression tool kit makes replacing pads and rotating pistons extremely easy. It includes both right- and left-handed thrust bolts. Additionally, it features 18 adapters compatible with a wide range of American, European, and Japanese cars. Built from durable carbon steel with a rust-resistant finish, it’s ideal for both DIYers and professionals:
26pcs Brake Caliper Wind Back Tool Set
This 25-piece compressor tool set includes an air-powered compressor, 22 disc adapters, two brake hangers, and gloves. These are all stored in a durable blow-molded case for easy transport and organization. Designed for fast, simple operation, the set connects to your brake’s airline and rotates pistons with minimal effort. It is compatible with hundreds of American, European, and Japanese vehicles:
Conclusion
A failing brake caliper isn’t just some minor issue you can solve later. It can seriously compromise your car’s safety and performance. Recognizing bad brake caliper symptoms early enough gives you a chance to act before things get worse. With the right tools and a basic understanding of the replacement process, you can handle caliper repairs yourself!
