Brake calipers have a lifespan of up to 100,000 miles, or as long as your car. They are solid, simple structures that don’t experience the same kind of wear and tear as pads or discs. However, things can occasionally go awry. These warning signs and symptoms may point to the need for new or used brake calipers.
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Symptoms Of A Bad Brake Caliper
Reduced Braking Force
Your car’s ability to stop safely will be compromised by a bad brake caliper. Get your braking system checked thoroughly if stopping seems to require additional effort, such as pressing the brake pedal repeatedly.
Car Smells
Due to friction and heat buildup between the brake pads and the disc, a stuck caliper can also result in an unpleasant hot brake smell or even smoke coming from your car.
Squealing Noises
You will start to hear squealing, squeaking, or grinding noise when you have a stuck caliper continuously pressing the brake pads against the braking disc.
Uneven Brake Pad Wear
Similar to pulling to one side, a stuck brake caliper can cause uneven wear and tear on the brake pad. Even if only one side of the brake pads is worn, it is usually best to have all four of them replaced. To function properly, brake pads must be entirely aligned with one another.
Soft Or Spongy Brake Pedal
When you press on your brake pedal, it may feel soft or spongy if the brake caliper isn’t correctly clamping down. This symptom also holds for a brake fluid leak.
Wired Noises
A bad brake caliper can cause a clunking or rattling sound that gets louder when your car goes over bumps.
Conclusion
To sum up, keeping a car’s braking system functioning properly necessitates knowing the signs of a faulty brake caliper. It’s important to recognize these warning signs as soon as possible to reduce any danger to occupants and guarantee that the braking system of the car is functioning properly.
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