The national cost for a brake caliper service with CarAdvise in 2024 is between $36 and $98 with an average of $49.

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HOW IT WORKS

What is a brake caliper and how does it work?

A brake caliper is a major component of a disc brake system in a vehicle. Attached to each wheel is a thick, heavy metal disc called a brake rotor (the “disc” in disc brakes) that spins along with the wheel when your vehicle is moving. Sandwiched around the rotor is a pair of brake pads that have the job of grabbing hold of the rotor when you want to slow down or stop. The brake caliper acts as a hydraulic clamping device that suspends the brake pads in place and squeezes them together when you press on the brake pedal. Inside the caliper resides one or more metal pistons that move in response to hydraulic pressure. When you step on the brake pedal, the master cylinder (pump) exerts pressure on the hydraulic brake fluid inside a network of tubes that lead to the calipers. The fluid, in turn, exerts pressure on the caliper piston(s), which squeezes together the brake pads against the rotor.

HOW IS THIS SERVICE PERFORMED?

How is a a Brake Caliper Service done?

Sitting close to ground level, your brake calipers are subject to all sorts of contaminants, from dirt, dust, and sand to mud, snow, and salt. As a result, corrosion can form on the caliper bracket and around the caliper piston. The rubber boots that safeguard the slide pins can crack or rupture, impregnating the lubricant inside with dirt and sand and causing the caliper to seize.

Therefore, during a brake caliper service, a mechanic will remove the wheels and tires to access the brakes, inspect the calipers for signs of leaks, remove the caliper from its bracket and set aside the brake pads, and potentially unbolt the caliper brackets. The components are then thoroughly cleaned. The slide pins are lubricated with a special heat-resistant grease, and the components are re-assembled. Any new hardware needed, or replacement of the brake pads and rotors, are additional services that may be requested at the same time.



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POPULAR VEHICLES

National average cost of a a Brake Caliper Service
for popular vehicles:

Car Model

Avg. cost

$50

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COMMON SYMPTOMS

Signs that my brake calipers need to be serviced

The brake calipers on your vehicle are subject to the worst of the elements and to a lot of wear. To work as they should, your calipers must be able to not only squeeze the brake pads against the rotor (disc), but they must allow the pads to release when you let up on the brake pedal. For that to happen, the caliper must be in serviceable shape. The slide pins on which the caliper travels in its bracket have to be clean, lubricated, and sealed. The bracket and hardware must be free from dirt and corrosion. And the caliper piston(s) must be able to move freely. If any of these components becomes contaminated or corroded, you might notice the following signs:

Your vehicle pulls to one side when braking (due to a caliper stuck open)

The vehicle pulls to one side when not braking (due to a caliper stuck closed)

The brakes seem to drag

Your vehicle does not stop as it normally does

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Other questions customers ask

Do brake calipers need to be serviced?
Considering that the brake system is arguably the most important safety feature of a vehicle, and the brake calipers are essential components of a disc brake system, it is important to make sure that the calipers are maintained regularly. While brake pads need to be changed every 30K-70K miles, depending on driving conditions and your vehicle make and model, the brake calipers should be serviced more frequently, generally every two years or 24K miles.
Can I drive with a bad caliper?
No. If you drive with a failing brake caliper, not only will your brake pads and rotors wear unevenly, but the effectiveness of your braking system will be impaired. A bad caliper tends to be one where the caliper either sticks open or closed, causing your brakes to drag, your steering to pull to one side, or your vehicle to fail to stop.
What happens if a brake caliper fails?
Your brake caliper is likely to fail in one of three ways. It could seize open and fail to engage the brake pads against the rotor. It could stick shut and fail to free the rotor when you release the brake pedal. Or it could leak, causing a spongy brake pedal and failing to stop your vehicle. Each of these cases is bad for braking and should be addressed as soon as possible.

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