Brake Caliper
The clamp that squeezes the pads against the disc. Hydraulic pressure pushes one or more pistons; on a sliding caliper the body then moves on its pins to pull the outer pad in.
Most caliper faults are seizure rather than failure, and they come from the two places it has to move: the piston in its bore, and the slide pins in their bushes. Corrosion in either leaves the brake partly applied or partly unapplied.
A dragging caliper is the failure worth recognising early. The brake never fully releases, so it heats continuously — which fades the brakes, cooks the fluid, warps the disc and destroys the pad on that corner. The signs are a hot wheel after a drive, a smell, a pull to one side, and fuel consumption that has crept up.
A collapsed flexible hose imitates it exactly. The hose's inner lining can lift and act as a one-way valve, letting pressure in and not out. The tell is that cracking the bleed nipple releases the brake instantly — which means the caliper was never the problem.
Slide pins are maintenance, not a repair. Cleaning and greasing them at every pad change prevents most of this.
Also known as: caliper, brake calliper, front caliper, rear caliper, sliding caliper, brake clamp
Referenced by 1 code
Codes involving this component (1)
Other components in Braking, Steering and Suspension
- Brake Booster 92
- Wheel Speed Sensor 72
- ABS Hydraulic Modulator 69
- Brake Pressure Sensor 42
- Tone Wheel 39
- Yaw Rate Sensor 28
- Brake Pedal Position Sensor 23
- Steering Angle Sensor 21
- Electric Power Steering Motor 13
- Ride Height Sensor 7
- Tyre Pressure Sensor 5
- Electric Park Brake Actuator 4
- Park Brake Control Module 4
- Air Suspension Compressor 3
- Brake Fluid Level Sensor 2
- Brake Pad Wear Sensor 2
- Traction Control Switch 2
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