Front Brake Caliper

Your brake calipers house your brake pads, and when you step on the brakes, hydraulic pressure forces the pads against the rotors and slows the car through friction. Signs of a caliper problem can include a tendency to pull to one side while braking, leaks of brake fluid from around the tires or a burning smell while braking. Shop Advance for our most trusted brand of calipers, Carquest Premium!

Picture the handbrakes on a bicycle, and that's much like how your car's disc brakes work. The wheels are connected to smooth steel discs (called rotors), and the calipers enclose the discs. When you step on the brakes, hydraulic pressure through the brake lines actuates the pistons in the calipers. The calipers hold semi-metallic, ceramic or organic brake pads that are then forced against the rotor to slow your car via friction.

Calipers are reliable, but they can and do fail. A dragging caliper will mean overheated brakes and a strong pull to one side while braking. If you suspect your caliper is dragging, you may want to rebuild , but it's simpler to just replace the whole unit (and it's better to replace them in pairs).