Put the Brakes On! (Brake Caliper Replacement)
January 5, 2025
Keeping your vehicle's brakes in top shape is one of the most important things you can do for your safety and those on the road with you. Most drivers know a little about brake pads and rotors but maybe not so much about another brake component called the calipers.
Disc brakes work by a mechanical system that presses your brake pads against discs called rotors (you can usually see these discs through your wheels). The friction stops your vehicle smoothly when everything is working the way it should. The calipers use the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid to apply the stopping power.
After they've been on your vehicle for a while, the calipers can get stuck or wear out. If calipers on one side of the vehicle work correctly and not on the other, you might feel a pull in one direction. You might feel the same kind of pull if the caliper is stuck and is applying constant pressure. You might hear scraping or squealing coming from a stuck caliper and you might smell burning on that side. The friction from a caliper that's always applying pressure may cause that wheel to heat up, so after you've pulled your vehicle off the road safely, the wheel with the stuck caliper will might feel hotter than the others
Because there are many different components to the brakes, it's best to leave the diagnosis and repair to a trained technician. They will run each wheel through a series of tests and inspections that can pinpoint the problem. Sometimes it involves more components than just the caliper that may need changing at the same time.
The best way to make sure your brakes will perform well is to is to have our service center perform regular inspections and follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommended service. That way your brakes will be ready, willing and able when you call on them to put a stop to things.
TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires
1735 N Main St
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
248-541-8300
http://www.tlcautocareroyaloak.com
Need Service?
More articles from TLC Auto Care
Something to Latch On To (Hood Latch Safety)
October 25, 2026
The other day, a driver was trying to open his vehicle's hood so he could add some windshield washer fluid. But when he pulled the hood release inside the car, nothing happened. Usually, opening any hood is a 2-step process. You pull the hood release (which is usually a handle under the dashb... More
Ready, Set, COLD! (Getting Vehicle Ready for Winter)
October 23, 2026
When the temperatures plunge, your vehicle better be ready because it faces a whole new set of challenges. Rubber stiffens, glass fogs, fluids freeze. Just thinking about it can get your heart beating faster. So here are some tips for getting ready for those inevitable colder temperatures. Ma... More
Why Timing Belt Maintenance Can Save Your Engine
October 11, 2026
One part of your vehicle you probably never think of is the timing belt. It coordinates the rotation of the crankshaft (which converts the up and down motion of the pistons into rotation motion) and the camshaft (which opens and closes your engines valves). Its vital that the timing of these mov... More