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A Brake Caliper Replacement cost in Costa Mesa in 2023

The average cost for a disc brake caliper replacement with CarAdvise is $253 and the range is generally between $47 and $516.

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AVERAGE COST IN Costa Mesa

A Brake Caliper Replacement costs by shop in Costa Mesa.

CarAdvise Customers save an average of $51 on A Brake Caliper Replacement.

POPULAR VEHICLES

Average cost of A Brake Caliper Replacement for popular vehicle models in Costa Mesa:

Honda Accord

Avg. cost
$209

Toyota Camry

Avg. cost
$224

Honda Civic

Avg. cost
$162

Car Model

Avg. cost

$50

THE IMPORTANCE OF A Brake Caliper Replacement

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.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

Signs that a brake caliper needs to be replaced

Unlike brake pads that are designed to be sacrificial and to wear out over time, or even brake rotors that eventually wear down and need replacement, brake calipers are made to last the lifetime of your vehicle. Unfortunately, sometimes they do not. Brake calipers fail for a number of reasons - lack of proper maintenance, corrosion, faulty seals, and more. Sometimes only one caliper goes bad; other times, the caliper on both sides of a vehicle go bad at the same time. The best time to detect a caliper that has problems is during a brake system inspection or brake pad replacement as part of routine maintenance. When a caliper does begin to fail, or fails completely, it will display one or more of the following symptoms:

Your vehicle pulls to one side due to a caliper that is either stuck open or stuck shut

You sense a reduction in braking power

Your vehicle seems to be dragging

You notice a fluid leak

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FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION

How does a technician perform A Brake Caliper Replacement ?

While brake caliper replacement can be a bit different depending on the make and model of your vehicle, or whether the caliper is mounted on the front or rear end, there are some general steps that a technician will take when performing the procedure. It should be noted that, on some vehicles, corrosion can play a significant role in the disassembly process and make it necessary to replace more components than only the caliper. With the vehicle safely lifted and supported in the air and the wheels and tires removed, a mechanic will do the following:

  • Remove the caliper slide pins/bolts to bisect the caliper and caliper bracket
  • Disconnect the hydraulic brake hose from the caliper
  • Dislodge the brake pads from the caliper bracket (assuming that the pads or bracket need to be replaced also)
  • Unbolt and remove the caliper bracket (if being replaced along with the caliper)
  • Install the new caliper bracket (if needed)
  • Install new brake clips into the bracket and insert new brake pads
  • Lubricate all contact points
  • Connect the brake hose to the new caliper with new hardware
  • Lubricate the new caliper slide pins
  • Position the caliper around the brake pads and insert the slide pins/bolts
  • Add fresh brake fluid to the master cylinder reservoir and bleed the air out of the system
  • Once installation is complete, test drive the vehicle to bed in the brake pads and verify the repair

OTHER QUESTIONS CUSTOMERS ASK

Can I replace just one caliper?
Sometimes more than one brake caliper will fail at around the same time. That is usually due to either poor maintenance, corrosion, or dirty and dusty driving conditions. Other times, a single brake caliper will go bad. Although a single caliper can be replaced, it is recommended that calipers be replaced in pairs for two reasons. One, because it is likely that the second caliper will fail in like manner and due to the same reasons. And two, because when brake calipers age, their characteristics change slightly. For instance, drag from the piston seals increases over time. Mixing an old caliper and a new one may result in uneven brake pad wear and your vehicle pulling to one side.
Can you drive with a broken brake caliper?
No. The brake system is probably the most important safety feature on your vehicle. If a caliper is not working as it should, braking power, steering, and stopping distances may all be affected. If you notice signs that a brake caliper is going bad - your vehicle is pulling to one side, feels like it is dragging, the brake pedal is soft, or you notice a leak on the ground underneath the brakes - have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible and have the problem repaired.
Are calipers part of a brake job?
Brake calipers are important components of a disc brake system and are certainly involved in a brake job. Whenever brake pads and brake rotors are replaced, the calipers need to be retracted so that the new components will fit together properly for reassembly. The calipers should also be inspected, cleaned, and lubricated, and they should receive new hardware. That said, calipers are not considered to be “wear items”, like brake pads or even brake rotors. A caliper should last the lifetime of a vehicle. Unfortunately, brake calipers do go bad occasionally and need replacement, but that is not a standard part of a brake job.

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RELATED PARTS

What parts are related to A Brake Caliper Replacement?

Brake Caliper

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