A caliper is part of the disk brake system housing the brake pads and pistons. The caliper slows the wheels by creating friction with the brake rotors. Have you ever wondered what happens when the brake caliper is loose and how you can fix it?
A loose brake caliper is free from mounting for reasons such as corrosion or rust on the mounting bolts. Tightening or replacing the calipers fixes the problem to ensure that your car stops safely during an emergency.
The brake calipers work with the brake pad, rotors, and other hydraulic system parts using the pedal to push brake fluid pressure through the master cylinder to the caliper. It extends the calipers pressurizing the brake pads against the rotors bringing the car to a halt.
What Are Loose Calipers?
A loose brake caliper is out of place or undone from its mounting on one side, usually because of an accident. The most typical reason for this problem is after working on your vehicle following front-end collisions or wheel alignment since the calipers are lifted to do the task.
A damaged suspension system may also cause problems with the brakes since they can’t be adequately adjusted after the damage. Severe damage on the suspension and alignment systems encourages loose calipers. These lead to loss of traction or difficult braking.
What Causes Loose Calipers?
Various reasons may cause calipers to become loose, including worn brake pads that can’t make contact with the rotor anymore. It causes the caliper to move around and eventually come loose. Corrosion or rust on the bolts holding the calipers may also make them come loose.
Extreme build-up of rust limits the bolts from tightening correctly, making the caliper come loose. Consider a professional inspection when not getting what may be causing loose calipers. It’s precarious to drive without properly functioning brakes.
How Do I Tell My Brake Caliper Is Loose?
If your brake caliper isn’t working as it should, it may be loose. Here are some signs to confirm this.
Pulling To The Side
When one brake caliper is working and the other isn’t, your car will pull to the side by applying the brakes. This encourages mishaps since you’re constrained to another traffic path or roadside on braking.
Spongy Brake Pedal
A hole in your brake caliper creates a feeling like driving into a wipe on putting your foot on the brakes. You won’t get the opposition since the water-driven crucial factor is missing in the framework, and liquid is spilling.
It can also happen when the cylinder seizes in your caliper, causing a more prominent hole between the cushion and the rotor. Getting it to work requires pushing harder.
Uneven Brake Pad Wear
Lopsided wear on the brake pad than the other lowers driving capacity subsequently. Uneven brake pad wear results from staying caliper slide pins or staying caliper cylinder. In both situations, cushions are incompletely applied, leading to hauling across the rotor.
Brake Noise
With trapped brake calipers, the car can’t move as it should when you apply the brakes. You’re likely to hear a hauling noise whenever you apply brakes to make the vehicle come to a halt. The sound is enough to alert you that the cushioning is worn out.
If you notice these symptoms, have your car inspected by a professional mechanic immediately. Driving with loose calipers is extremely dangerous since it affects the ability to stop during an emergency and makes driving challenging.
How Do You Fit Loose Calipers?
None of your calipers must be loose. When they do, tightening or replacement are the only solutions. Let’s highlight them in detail.
Tightening A Loose Brake Caliper
You can tighten a loose caliper to avoid the cost of replacement. It requires going through the following steps.
- Carefully remove the brake caliper bolts
- Examining the bolts and bolt holes on the spindle critically for rust or corrosion
- Retreading the bolt hole using a tread cleaner or chaser
- Installing the brake system
- Ensuring the recommended torque pressure when tightening the caliper bolts
Replacing A Loose Brake Caliper
A new brake caliper will cost you a decent amount depending on the model and make of your vehicle. You need a professional mechanic to give you a quote, including the cost of the replacement caliper and labor.
Here are the steps to replace a loose brake caliper:
- Have all supplies
- Release the brake pressure
- Loosen the caliper mounting bolts
- Remove the old caliper and brake pads
- Clean the rotor using a wire brush or strong solvent
- Install new pads using a screwdriver
- Position the new caliper on top of the rotor and the new pads
- Reattach the brake line
- Add oil
How Do I Keep Calipers From Getting Loose?
Now that you know the potential reasons for making your brake calipers lose. The best way to ensure that your calipers don’t come loose is to have a professional mechanic check them for wear and tear as part of routine maintenance.
The mechanic will determine whether your brake system has issues and recommend appropriate repairs or replacements. This allows fixing issues before they become severe, causing damage and significant danger.
Do You Have To Replace The Brake Calipers In Pairs?
You don’t have to replace the calipers in pairs. However, it’s always good to check them both to determine whether both need replacement or only one. Doing this ensures that your car always stops safely and efficiently.
Can I Drive With A Loose Caliper?
Driving with a loose caliper comes with a risk of significant problems. Driving with one side of your brakes not working properly is extremely dangerous, especially in wet weather or on a fast-moving highway.
Vibration while braking or grinding noises on applying the brakes indicates your brake pads are worn down. It’s usually from overuse, making only half the brake system work. When not comfortable only using a part of your brake system, have the calipers tightened or replaced.
Conclusion
When the brake caliper is loose, driving the car becomes challenging and brings it to a halt. Always tighten the calipers or replace them to keep yourself and other road users safe. Regular checks are essential to ensure that the calipers are in good condition.
