Tell me about brakes and calipers and leakage and stuff like that!?

Question

OK. I'm starting to hate my car, but here's the current story.

My car has 95,000 miles on it. I've been wearing right brake pads at an abnormal rate since about 50,000 miles. I've also been losing brake fluid since about this point. 20,000 miles ago, I purchaced a lifetime waranty plan for said pads. This morning, I noticed the oh so familiar scraping. Took it in for waranty work. They told me I need to replace the caliper. Does this sound reasonable? Any sites to support it?

Answer 1

Sounds reasonable. In simple terms the caliper moves the brake pads in and out. If the caliper is sticky or seizes up the pads wear out and you could even do damage to the rotors. Some times you can clean and free up the calipers but other times they need to be replaced.

Answer 2

I would suggest that you have a collapsed brake hose. That is the rubber hose from the metal line over to the caliper. The hose may look fine on the outside, but be restricted on the inside. What happens is, when you apply the brakes, fluid passes into the caliper causing the pads to apply pressure to the rotor. However, when you release the pedal, the restricted line does not allow the fluid to travel back, to release the caliper piston. This results in excessive pad wear. As for the fluid problem, if you see no sign of fluid loss at the calipers, nor at the hoses, look for a trail down the front of your brake booster from the master cylinder.

Answer 3

Brake calipers use a square cut seal to retract the piston after the brake is released. over time the seal bends and wont retract the piston as far as it should. As far as the brake fluid you need to check all wheels and holes for leaks,, it is very common to need more brake fluid in the master cylinder as the pads get thinner. I would recommend replacing the calipers not only because of the ware problem but also due to mileage, the seals have to be worn. By the way when you replace the calipers you will also get new caliper slides, and you should flush the brake fluid to help prevent rust from the inside out.

Good luck.
ASE Master Tech for 27 years

Answer 4

on the back of your brake pads there is a piece of metal. When your brake pads whear out to much this piece of metal rubs against the brake disc makeing that scraping sound this means its time to change your brakes. Most likely you are not losing brake oil its just that as your brakes where out you need more oil to be able to apply more pressure to the disc brake so change your brake pads first then if you still keep losing brake fluid then see about changing the calipers

Answer 5

The caliper holds the brake pads and squeezes them to stop the rotor (the wheel), if it's sticking it will ruin the rotor and wear the pads down quickly. As far as the leak, it could be around the caliper where the brake line connects to it.

Answer 6

scraping means pads are shot and taking a toll on rotors.
losing brake fluid is normal if brakes were never bled properly after new pads were put on...
calipers go out if the wheel is getting too hot like bearings not being packed properly or not ever being packed usualy pack at same time having pads replaced...
a good mechanic packs barings, clamps hose(don't have to bleed than)and replaces pads and checks the rotor(smooth)

Answer 7

calipers do go out just like brakes, the most common part are the pistons in the calipers. also the seals go out to, so everytime you press the brakes fluid leaks out. price the calipers and if there to expensive, look into having the calipers rebuilt

Answer 8

just question is actually kind of vague, is it all wheel disc or front wheel disc rear drums, i have never seen a caliper actually leak fluid, but drums are known to leak terribly from the wheel cylinders, the leak could be coming from anything from a bad seal on the master cylinder to a rusted break line to, and the pads on the right could be comming from anything from a collasped hose to a sticking caliper