Auto Brakes: Dealing with Stuck Callipers
Posted on: 12 October 2017
It goes without saying, the brakes on your car are pretty important if you want to make it through a journey without crashing into something. However, now and again, your brakes may begin to stick. When this occurs, it is normally due to a piston inside a brake calliper seizing up. When you press the brake pedal, the piston in the calliper is compressed, and this presses the brake pad against the wheel and slows your car. Sticky callipers can reduce the effectiveness of your brakes.
The causes of seized callipers
There are a number of different reasons that a calliper may seize up. The number one causes is a result of wear and tear caused by exposure to harsh weather and the rise and fall in temperature which occurs when the brakes are used. These conditions can cause the seal around the piston to harden until it eventually cracks and fails. The second reason for a seized calliper is dirt or debris which stops the calliper from moving freely.
Assessing the callipers on your car
The first sign that a calliper on your car needs some love and attention is a reduced level of braking. You may notice that it takes your longer to slow down, that your brake pedal feels spongy when you place your foot on it, or that the car seems to want to pull to one side when you apply the brakes. If you notice these signs, you should assess the brake callipers on your car. You should not drive the car until you have repaired the brakes. Driving with defective brakes isn't just illegal, it could also place your life and the lives of other road users at risk. To assess each brake calliper, you will need to jack the car up and remove each wheel so you can access the brake pad and calliper. Once you have done so, you should carry out a visual inspection for signs of corrosion or damage. Next, you should ask someone to press the foot brake while you observe the movement of the callipers.
Dealing with stuck callipers
If the calliper is clearly damaged or if it is not moving the brake pad as it should, you should call in an automotive repair contractor. The contractor will be able to repair or replace the affected callipers so that your car's braking system is as good as new.
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