Sticky Brake Calipers: A Growing Concern on the Road

### Understanding Brake Calipers

If you notice a burning smell and your car is pulling to one side, the chances are your brake calipers are stuck. A sticky brake caliper is never a good sign, as it can lead to handling issues and reduced fuel economy. Not only that, but it can warp the rotor and overheat the brakes, resulting in noticeably reduced braking performance.

### Common Causes of Sticky Brake Calipers

Factors like corrosion and lack of use can often result in sticky brake calipers, along with brake hose issues and brake master cylinder leaks. Additionally, faulty piston and caliper boots can lead to dust and water ingress, which compromises the caliper’s sliding function, causing it to remain engaged even after the brake pedal is released.

### The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Sometimes, improperly bled brakes and overfilled brake fluid can also cause your brake calipers to seize by forcing the pads to remain in contact with the rotor. Understand that brake calipers are like a clamp that sits on the rotor. When the brake pedal is depressed, fluid travels from the reservoir to the piston, which pushes the brake pads inside the caliper against the rotor. Depending on the design (single- versus multi-piston or fixed- versus floating-caliper), the hardware might change, but the overall principle remains the same.

### Signs of a Sticky Brake Caliper

– Burning smell
– Car pulling to one side
– Reduced fuel economy
– Reduced braking performance
– Warped rotor
– Overheated brakes

### Conclusion

A sticky brake caliper is a serious issue that can lead to reduced braking performance and compromised safety. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent this problem. If you suspect a sticky brake caliper, have it checked and repaired by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.