What Is a Brake Caliper?

What Are Brake Calipers?

Brake calipers hover just above your wheels. You might have even seen them on some sporty vehicles. Exposed brake calipers are common on performance inspired wheels. Their job is to push your brake pads against the rotors in your wheels.

Calipers are an integral part of your brake system. Brakes work by applying pressure and creating friction. Since they’re attached to the brake lines and force the brake pads to make contact with the rotors, calipers are where the pressure you put on the brake pedal and the friction created by the brake pads intersect.

How Do Brakes Work?

Whether you slowly step on the brake pedal or slam on it, that pressure is picked up by the main cylinder. It pushes brake fluid through the brake lines and out to each one of your wheels. The calipers are located at the end of your brake lines.

Think of each set of calipers like a clamp. The brake pads are attached to the calipers. Once the brake fluid arrives, the calipers clamp down on the rotors with the amount of pressure you applied. That’s what determines whether you come to a gradual or a sudden stop.

When the brake pads press up against the rotors, they create enough friction to slow your wheels down or bring your car to a complete stop.

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Brake Service & Repairs

Stopping a car is no easy feat. All that pressure and friction can take a toll on your brake system. That’s why brake pads are designed to wear down. In fact, getting them replaced is part of your routine maintenance.

Some other issues are less routine. If you have a cracked caliper or warped rotor—or if you’re low on brake fluid—you’ll be able to tell. Schedule brake service if you notice any of the following warning signs:

• Squeaky Brakes—Chances are, you’ve heard this sound either on your car or another vehicle. Believe it or not, it’s actually a built-in reminder that it’s time to get your brake pads replaced.
• Pulling to the Side—If your vehicles keeps drifting to the side when you brake, there could be a problem with one of your brake lines. If a brake line is leaking fluid, the caliper that’s attached to that line isn’t closing.
• Brake Pedal Sticks—Low brake fluid can make it feel like you’re stepping in quicksand when you press down on the brakes.
• Grinding Sound—If any of your rotors or calipers are warped or cracked, you may hear an uncomfortable sound when you use the brakes.