8 Symptoms of a Stuck Brake Caliper (And Common Causes)
Brake calipers are a critical component of your braking system. A stuck brake caliper (also known as a stuck brake caliper) is when your brakes stick but don’t release when you take your foot off the brake pedal.
Common Symptoms of a Stuck Brake Caliper
Below are the 7 most common symptoms of a stuck brake caliper.
1) Car Pulls to the Side
This is one of the most common symptoms of a stuck brake caliper. If you notice your vehicle pulling too far to the right or left, replace your brake calipers immediately.
2) Brake pedal stays down
Another common symptom of a stuck brake caliper is when the brake pedal stays down even after you take your foot off the brake pedal. You will eventually release the brake pedal, but this will probably take a few seconds.
3) Brake fluid leak
An easy symptom to look out for is brake fluid leaking from your vehicle. If you look under your car or around the wheels, or notice a trail of fluid when braking on the road, you may have a leak that is causing your brake calipers to stick.
4) Vehicle is hard to stop
Brake calipers rely on adequate brake fluid pressure to slow your vehicle. When brake fluid leaks from your vehicle, it becomes difficult to stop your vehicle. This also causes the brake calipers to stick.
5) High-pitched noise
You’ll notice a problem with the calipers right away if you hear a high-pitched noise when you press the brake pedal. This could mean that the caliper is stuck or that there is another problem with the caliper.
6) Difficulty steering
If one of your front brake calipers is stuck, you may notice that your vehicle starts to pull to one side. If one of your front brake calipers is stuck open, you may notice your vehicle pulling sharply to one side when braking. This is because only one of the front brakes is slowing the vehicle.
7) Burning Smell
If you notice smoke or a pungent burning smell coming from the wheels, have your brakes inspected. A stuck brake caliper can cause excessive heat. This heat can melt brake pads and cause one wheel to get hotter than the other. In extreme cases, it can even cause a fire. Rotors turn a bluish color when overheated. If your brakes are overheating, it’s a good idea to replace the rotors and brake pads and change your brake fluid.
8) Reduced Braking Effectiveness
When your brakes overheat, they can become ineffective or even fail completely.
If your brake calipers stick, the excessive heat generated by the constant grinding of the brakes can reduce your braking effectiveness. If not dealt with quickly, your brakes will lose their effectiveness, which can be very dangerous. In severe cases, you may not be able to stop your car.