More than Pads and Rotors (Brake Caliper Replacement)
April 23, 2023
You might be familiar with brake pads and rotors, two components of your vehicle's brakes that have to be regularly serviced. Here's another important component of your brakes: the calipers.
Calipers are used in disc brakes, the type of brakes now found in most recently manufactured vehicles. A caliper is the part of the brakes that squeezes the brake pads against the discs, or rotors, which turn with your wheels.
There are different kinds of calipers, but the basic principle is the same. You press down the pedal, brake fluid activates a piston or pistons that squeeze the brake pads against the disc and the friction slows down your vehicle.
While modern vehicles have a warning system to let you know it's time to get your brakes checked, your brake light usually goes on when your fluid level is low or your fluid pressure is low. But you may have to look out for signals your calipers are the problem.
If your vehicle pulls to one side when you brake, that could be a sign that one caliper isn't working right. If you smell a burning odor coming from a wheel after a trip, there might be too much pressure from a caliper. Grinding or squealing when you brake is another signal that it may be time to bring in your vehicle so we can check your brakes.
One way to minimize brake issues is regular inspection. Have them periodically looked at when you bring in your vehicle for an oil change. The good news is brake issues are more likely to be caused by pads or rotors wearing out. Calipers last a lot longer, but even they will need replacing every so often.
Sterling Tire & Auto
34701 Van Dyke Rd
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775
Need Service?
More articles from Sterling Tire & Auto

Lubricate Driveshaft
March 30, 2025
See if any of these are happening to your vehicle. You feel it vibrating excessively underneath when its running, or you hear strange clunking, grating, or grinding sounds coming from beneath. Maybe its hard to turn your vehicle, or you can hear squeaking when youre going slow. Perhaps you fee... More

What Is an EGR Valve? (EGR Valve Service)
March 23, 2025
If you've ever felt your vehicle hesitate, go, then hesitate again, you might think there's something wrong with the transmission. After all, it's not moving smoothly down the road. But there are plenty of malfunctions that can cause those symptoms, one of them being something you may have nev... More

How Tired Are Your Tires? (Tire replacement)
March 16, 2025
Of the things you think about most, your tires are probably pretty far down the list. Thats understandable because todays tires are engineered to do their job without needing you to pay too much attention to them. But they DO wear out, and worn tires can contribute to skidding in bad weather, not... More