Brake Caliper Service

The Purpose of Brake Calipers

Brake calipers are an extension of your foot hitting the brake pedal even though they do not resemble a foot at all. When you tap or hit the brakes, that action is transferred to the brake lines, where brake fluid helps amplify the power of the press and interacts with pistons in your brake caliper. The caliper houses your brake pads and presses them into your brake rotors to provide a stop. If your brake caliper fails or starts to experience problems, a decline in braking power or a loss of power occurs. In some instances, your vehicle will constantly attempt to brake as the caliper becomes stuck and holds the brake pad against the rotor even when the interior pedal is not pressed.

Brake Caliper Service Overview

A thorough brake caliper service includes examining the calipers for signs of wear and heat exposure from the pads and rotors. If your calipers need to be replaced, our certified technicians make the recommendation and can provide OEM Volkswagen brake calipers. When only a tune-up is needed, we provide a cleaning and lubricating service for the slide spins. This includes the removal of built-up grease and a detailed inspection for rust.

The Importance of Brake Caliper Service

Each component of the service process ensures effective braking performance and also helps protect the other parts of the braking system. Loose debris, grease build-up, and rust can all become trapped on the brake pad surface. When it is pressed into the rotor with debris, the rotor surface can become damaged and lead to ineffective braking and even a brake failure. Similarly, you want to avoid any foreign objects entering your braking fluid. Rust removal and cleaning also keep the calipers ready to move and prevent sticking. Lubricating the slide pins assists with this to ensure smooth braking for easy stops and fast braking in emergencies.

Brake Caliper Service Interval

Volkswagen recommends a brake caliper service every one to two years based on your mileage and your driving history. City drivers, drivers in hilly terrain, and brake riders tend to need brake services on the low end of the recommendation. If you drive in rural areas around Fargo, you may reach the two-year point. Always confer with a service technician at your brake inspection for service recommendations as a variety of factors, including salt thrown up on your vehicle's undercarriage in the winter, can have an impact on cleanliness and performance.