Brakes
Brake Caliper
The caliper squeezes the pads against the disc using hydraulic pressure.
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Brake system flow
Interactive — tap a partTap a part to see how it fits in the system.
What it does
- Houses the pads and hydraulic piston
- Applies the braking force
- Sliding calipers use one or two pistons
When it fails
- Car pulls to one side when braking
- One wheel hotter than the others
- Sticking brake (dragging)
- Leaking brake fluid at the wheel
How to diagnose
- Check the caliper slides for corrosion
- Feel each disc after a short drive
- Check the brake fluid level and color
- Test the piston with a clamp
Maintenance
- Lubricate the slider pins at pad changes
- Replace leaking or seized calipers
- Flush the brake fluid every 2 years
Use the diagnosis order. When a part fails, confirm each hypothesis with measurements before replacing anything — codes and symptoms overlap.
Related part
Master Cylinder
The master cylinder converts pedal force into hydraulic pressure for all four brakes.