NAPA Brakes coated Calipers

NAPA Proformer brake caliper

NAPA Proformer semi-loaded calipers are great for quality and value-oriented customers.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• All Proformer calipers come complete with brackets, cable guides, levers, return springs and brake pad hardware where applicable.
• All caliper mounting brackets go through the same meticulous cleaning process used for the caliper bodies and are coated with the same anti-corrosion solution used on the caliper bodies.
• Silicone dust boots with high temperature capability for increased service life 100% pressure tested

What are the signs of a bad brake caliper?

The brake calipers can become rusty, contaminated or can leak brake fluid over time. When the driver is braking, brake calipers absorb a lot of heat. This heat may damage or weaken the seals inside the calipers.

There are several signs of a bad brake calipers:

You can hear an abnormal squealing noise from your brakes when the brakes are not being used.

Another sign that your brake calipers are bad is if the vehicle pulls to one side when breaking.

Also, a brake fluid leaking, in form of an oily spot on the ground inside the tire, can be an indication of a leaky caliper.

Depending on the level of corrosion, stiff caliper slide pins can be replaced or greased using high-temperature silicone grease. Abnormal brake pad wear (mainly asymmetrical wear) is a clear symptom of caliper guide pins that are partially or completely stuck.

A stuck piston is often referred to as a seized caliper. The piston is essential for transmitting brake power, so heavy corrosion can cause serious problems.

Abnormal brake pad wear is a common symptom, but a stuck piston can also cause an overheated rotor if the rotor is in constant contact with the brake pads. It’s important to address these issues as soon as possible.

• Squealing noise from brakes
• Vehicle pulls to one side
• Leaking brake fluid
• Abnormal brake pad wear
• Overheated rotor

It’s easy to spot a bad caliper during a brake service.

The first thing to check is whether the brake pads can move freely on their sliding guides. If not, a simple cleaning can solve the issue. The main problem is corrosion. Salt and calcium are highly corrosive, and rust can quickly lead to a seized caliper.

Proper maintenance is key

Whatever your driving style, you should have your brakes inspected on a regular basis, even if your vehicle is listed as one of the most reliable on the market.

Salt is hard on a vehicle’s brakes. Once a year, make sure to clean your brakes thoroughly using an appropriate brake cleaner solution; that includes cleaning and lubricating all lubrication points. This will prevent rusty calipers, which can be expensive to replace!

You should also inspect all brake hoses and replace any parts that have become cracked, rusted, or visibly damaged.

All sliding pins should be lubricated with a silicone or high-temperature lubricant designed for brake systems. The contact point of the brake pads and all brake hardware should also be thoroughly cleaned.

In addition, depending on your manufacturer’s recommendations, you should lubricate the contact points between the brake pad and the caliper sliding guide using a high-temperature grease (ceramic or copper).

IS IT POSSIBLE TO REPAIR A BRAKE CALIPER?

Just as you can change a sliding pin or replace a caliper piston seal or the piston itself, it’s possible to repair a caliper.

However, a repair kit may not be enough to restore proper braking power if your caliper is heavily corroded. In such cases, replacing the caliper is a safer, long-term solution. Plus, new calipers have undergone professional testing and are easy to install.

Need advice from a pro? Speak to an expert at your local NAPA Auto Parts store.