Brake Caliper Service Video

The brake caliper is the clamping unit that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor when you press the pedal. Hydraulic pressure pushes one or more pistons out of the caliper body, and that force is what actually slows the wheel.

This video walks through where the caliper sits over the rotor and what its pistons, slide pins, and dust boots look like during normal operation. Every time you brake, the pistons extend to press the pads, then retract slightly so the pads release cleanly when you let off.

A caliper in trouble usually gives warning before it locks up. Pulling to one side while braking or a wheel that feels hotter than the others after driving may indicate a sticking brake caliper. Uneven brake pad wear can also signal a piston or slide pin that no longer moves freely.

Brake calipers take a real beating from the local climate around Cape Girardeau, MO, and a seasonal inspection catches the wear before it becomes a breakdown. An inspection at Parks Automotive checks piston travel, slide pin movement, dust boot condition, and looks for fluid seepage around the caliper body.

When testing confirms the caliper is the problem, our brake repair and safety inspection service covers the full repair scope. Drivers from Jackson and Scott City bring their vehicles to us for brake work.

If you feel a pull under braking or notice one wheel running hot, call Parks Automotive at (573) 335-2599, or visit the Best auto repair in Cape Girardeau to have the calipers inspected.