Brake Caliper

Category: automotive

The hydraulic part that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor to stop the wheel.

The caliper is the "clamp." It contains a piston that moves when you press the pedal. If the piston "seizes" (gets stuck), the brake will stay pressed even when you aren’t hitting the pedal, causing the car to pull to one side and smoke.

Common Examples

• The vehicle was pulling to the left because the brake caliper had seized, causing the left brake pad to constantly drag on the rotor.
• During every brake job, we verify that the caliper pistons move freely and that the guide pins are properly lubricated.