![]() Brake caliper alerts – how to know when you have a problem When something in the system breaks, wears down, or stops altogether, that’s when you have a problem. When working properly, the calipers move effortlessly based on the amount of pressure from the brake pedal. Inside the caliper, a powerful piston uses pressure from hydraulic fluid to press the brake pads against the brake rotor. Its sole job is to slow the car’s wheels as you press down on the brake pedal, to create friction against the brake rotors. The brake caliper houses the brake pads and pistons. You can see it sitting on your wheel if you look through the spokes. Through wear and tear, they lose their ability to clamp down and relax the brake pads as you apply and release pressure.Ī brake caliper is a part of the disc brake system, which is what most vehicles have on their front brakes. If you haven’t read through your owner’s manual, it’s a good thing to keep on hand.īrake calipers also need replacing over time. While not as common as motor oil, your brake fluid should still be replaced every four to five years. Rotors should be replaced every 60,000 to 70,000 miles to ensure your braking system remains in great shape. When it comes to the brake rotors, you have a bit longer. Manufacturers recommend replacing brake pads every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. For your braking system, the most often parts to be replaced include the brake pads. Owning a car means performing regular maintenance. What are they? What do they do? And how do you maintain them throughout the life of your car? What are brake calipers? While you might be familiar with brake pads and brake fluid, brake calipers are a little more obscure. Repeat on the other end and the brake pads are installed.The braking system is one of the most important systems on your vehicle. With the pads inserted, hold one end of the spring clip in place and insert one of the pins through the caliper. Make sure only one pad per caliper has this tab. This tab is meant to touch the rotor when the pad is worn out, causing a squeal to warn you to change them. One brake pad per pair also has a small metal tab on one corner. Some brake pads are meant for the inside or outside of the wheel. With the pins and clips removed from the calipers, insert the new pads one at a time into the caliper. Push back the round silver pistons on the inside of the caliper to make room for the brake pads. This lubricant keeps the pads from squealing when they vibrate between the rotors and calipers. Some pads come with plastic stickers, but I recommend using the lubricant as well. Spread a little bit of brake pad lubricant on the back side of the brake pads. If your new calipers have the spring clips and pins installed, look at step 5 to remove them. Brake pad lubricant (for the back side of the pad to keep it from squealing against the caliper).Nitrile gloves are optional, but brakes are very dirty.I highly recommend them.Shop towels (keep your new parts very clean to avoid screeching brake noises!).A small punch or screw driver to remove the pins from the calipers.Box wrenches that fit the fittings on your brake hoses.Basic ratchet and socket set to fit your vehicle (metric for foreign cars and standard for American ones).Jump in and save yourself a ton of money by replacing brake pads and rotors yourself! Disk brakes are a very simple system, so don't be afraid. The pictures shown are from a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR, but the steps and order will be the same for almost every other car. This instructable covers how to replace every component of a disk brake system from the brake hoses down to the wheel axles.
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