Put the Brakes On! (Brake Caliper Replacement)
December 24, 2023
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.
Gary Knurek GoodYear
1973 Livernois
Troy, Michigan 48083
248-362-0350
Need Service?
More articles from Gary Knurek, Authorized GoodYear Dealer
Helping Your Engine Breathe Easier
August 23, 2026
You may have heard someone tell you its time to replace your vehicles engine air filter and thought, Its OK. Ill do it in a while. While its tempting to put that off, keep in mind that having your engine air filter replaced is one of the easiest ways to maintain your vehicles performance and ef... More
Wobbly in Turns? Your Sway Bar May Be to Blame
August 16, 2026
When you take a corner in your vehicle, its supposed to feel controlled and stable. But you might notice one day that your vehicle feels like it is unstable, or even like its floating. It can be a scary sensation that gets your attention. If you feel that as you change lanes or when turning a ... More
Don’t Ignore the Grind
August 9, 2026
Your wheel hub assembly is probably not one of those things on your vehicle you think about very often. In fact, you may not even have even heard of it. But its one of the most important components that keeps your vehicle stable, smooth and safe on the road. The hub assembly houses the wheel b... More