Temporary Fix For Stuck Brake Caliper (Expert Guide)

What is a temporary fix for stuck brake caliper?

The brake system is a very important system in our vehicle that must constantly be in good working condition. It is very dangerous to be on the road with a faulty brake system.

Like any other system in the automobile, the brake system can develop faults at any time. One fault drivers often experience is a stuck brake caliper.

If your brake calipers are stuck while driving, it is important to address the issue immediately.

This article install examines various temporary fixes for a stuck brake caliper, enabling the driver to manage the brakes until they can fix it permanently.

Let’s start!

Before outlining the steps to temporarily fix your stuck brake pad, remember that it is tagged “temporary” and must never be used in place of a permanent solution.

Whenever you experience a stuck brake caliper while driving, you can temporarily get it fixed by following the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Take your foot off the throttle and slowly stop your car at a safe and lawful spot.

Step 2: Using a jack, raise your vehicle and assess the wheel you believe its brake calipers are stuck. Loose out the tire on the wheel to access the caliper

Step 3: To eliminate any debris or grease that may obstruct the sliding groove on the brake caliper, you can use brake parts cleaner, which is usually regarded as a choke cleaner.

Step 4: Remove the brake calipers from its holding bracket by losing out the bolts on it. Once the calipers are out, please remove the brake pads and inspect them to ensure they are in good working condition.

Step 5: If the thickness of the brake pads has gone below 3 mm, they must be replaced immediately. Now pick up the brake caliper and clean it thoroughly using the brake cleaner and a rug.

Step 6: While cleaning the brake caliper, take out time to inspect the caliper pistons and all rubber boots and sleeves.

Step 7: If the caliper pistons show signs of corruption, you should get them fixed as soon as possible, but you can reinstall them for now.

Step 8: Once you clean the brake calipers, you must use grease to lubricate every inch. Also, ensure that every slide, piston, bolt, and PIN on the caliper is well lubricated with grease to ensure that the specks of dirt do not get attached to them easily.

Step 9: Reinstall the calipers back on the wheel and ensure not to tighten the bolts on the bracket over because if any joint should fracture, it will cost you extra to get it fixed.

Step 10: Once the reinstalled calipers are well framed on the vehicle’s wheel, you must repeat the brake pads. Ensure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended format.

Step 11: Finally, you can reattach the tire back on the wheel using the recommended wrench to fasten its bolts. Drop down the raised vehicle and remove the Jack.

Step 12: Now you must tighten the bolts of the tires to the manufacturer’s recommended torque. Using a torque wrench to carry out this activity is advisable.

How Does Brake Caliper Work?

The brake system comprises different components, and each of these components works together in synchronization to provide the best braking experience for any vehicle.

The brake caliper is one of these many components vital in the braking system. It performs two major functions in the braking system.

• First, the brake caliper holds the brake pads in place and is aligned to the wheel rotor or brake disc.
• The second function of the brake caliper is to help magnify the compressive force produced by the brake piston whenever the brake pedal is pressed down.

Once the brakes are engaged, the brake pistons on the brake assembly push the brake pads to squeeze on the rotating brake disc, and with the help of the brake caliper, this compressive Force is magnified, helping the brake system bring the vehicle to a stop quickly.

Why Do I Have a Stuck Brake Caliper?

The brake calipers are mechanical devices that are also susceptible to damage. The brake caliper gets stuck sometimes, resulting in a brake failure. You may ask, “What causes a stuck brake caliper”? The answers are outlined below.

Caliper Bolts Lack Lubrication

This statement might sound unusual, but the boat on the brake calipers must remain well-lubricated to have a fully functional brake caliper. If the rubber boots or slide on the caliper bolts lose lubrication, they could quickly get damaged and cost a malfunctioning brake caliper.

Also Read: Brake Lights Stay On (Causes & Solution)

A Bad Caliper Slides

One primary cause of a stuck brake caliper is damaged or obstructed caliper slides. These grooves allow the brake pads to slide in and out on the brake caliper to compress and decompress the brake disc whenever the brakes are engaged.

Even if the grooves are not damaged but just obstructed by specks of dirt picked up along the way, the brake caliper will still get stuck.

A Malfunctioning Caliper Piston

Whenever the caliper piston malfunction, it can also cause the brake calipers to get stuck. The caliper piston will malfunction if its protective rubber sleeves get broken and allow debris to get in while exposing its internals to the atmosphere, leading to corrosion over time. It is advisable to always prevent your caliper pistons from malfunctioning as they can be very expensive to repair.

A Worn Brake Hose

A worn-down brake hose that transports brake fluid from the savo to the brake pistons can also cause your brake caliper to get stuck. Naturally, whenever the brakes are disengaged, the fluid sent to the brake pistons is meant to be depressurized. Still, a worn-down hose will find it difficult to depressurize the brake fluid, causing the brake caliper to get stuck.

How to Know a Stuck Brake Caliper?

A stuck brake caliper does not make any distinctive sound; however, it makes a wide array of sounds at different times, but the sound you hear from a stop brake caliper will be solely based on its design.

A brake caliper sometimes rumbles when it’s stuck, while for another vehicle model, you could hear an unpleasant sound of metal rubbing against metal whenever the brake caliper is stuck.

But whenever you hear a squealing sound from your brakes, you can note that there is no lubrication in the brakes at all, and whenever there is no lubrication, brake calipers can get stuck.

Replacing Vs Rebuilding Stuck Brake Caliper: Which is the Best?

Mini car owners will be caught between the decision of either replacing or rebuilding the stock brake calipers.

For a temporary solution rebuilding the stock brake caliper will be advisable as it is less expensive and does not need much equipment to get it done.

With enough technical knowledge, anyone can rebuild a stuck brake caliper.

Rebuilding requires disassembling the caliper assembly, cleaning the caliper assembly and replacing worn-out parts.

However, you must understand that if corrosion exists within the brake caliper, it will get stuck again; therefore, for a permanent solution, replacing the stuck brake caliper is the best option, even though it costs more than rebuilding.

Can i Feel a Stuck Brake Caliper

Whenever a vehicle does not solely respond to the driver’s action, drivers feel bad and feel like they are not in control of the car.

Whenever you have a stuck brake caliper, here are some scenarios you might encounter

• While driving, once you’re braking, you will feel a pull in the wrong direction, either to the left or right. This feeling greatly signifies a stuck brake caliper.

• Also, your car will slow down automatically even when you do not engage the brakes. This feeling also signifies your brake calipers are stuck.

It’s advisable to check your brake systems occasionally before setting out on the road.

Also Read: Brake Pad Replacement Cost

Frequently Asked Questions – Temporary Fix For Stuck Brake Caliper

Conclusion – Temporary Fix For Stuck Brake Caliper

You should urgently attend to issues regarding your braking system, especially when your brake calipers are stuck while driving. To temporarily fix the stuck brake caliper, you can attempt to rebuild the caliper assembly. If you cannot do it yourself, it is best to employ the services of an expert.