How to Fix Sticking Brakes In Your Car Quickly And Easily

Just the way engines are extremely important in machines, so are brakes. This is so as brakes help to control both seen and unforeseen disasters while driving.

It does this by halting a car fast and protecting you from accidents. So, ensuring that you have a strong and well-functioning brake helps to protect you and keep your car in a durable and stable state.

If in any way you have discovered that your brakes are starting to develop faults by sticking, then you should examine your brake calipers.

What are Brake Calipers?

Brake calipers are parts of a car brake system. It features the car pistons and pads and helps to restrict the vehicle wheels.

The brake caliper does this by generating resistance with the brake rotors. Brake calipers are built to clasp the brake pads against the exterior of the brake discs to restrict or halt your car.

They are very vital to every vehicle, and crucial to always examine this part of a car for a smooth drive and frictionless braking system.

Neglecting the brake can cause a lot of damage to the car and most especially expose you to dangers.

What are the Causes of a Stuck Brake?

Knowing the causes of your sticking brakes makes it easy for you to easily maintain and use them efficiently.

1.  Brake Hoses

One of the causes of stuck brakes in cars is worn brake hoses. When a little part of a brake hose gets worn out or tears, it becomes a major problem for the car brake system.

A damaged or cracked brake hose can cause fluid to flow to other parts of the car instead of the master cylinder. Thus, resulting in the brake calipers sticking and not working effectively.

2. Slipping the Caliper

This is another cause of a stuck brake. When the brake pedal is in use, the lines placed in the caliper cause the pads of the brake to allow fluid to flow freely.

If by any chance the pad of the brake gets glued in these grooves, it gets decomposed. It further led to dirt build up which hindered the car brake from functioning smoothly.

3. Brake Caliper Bolts

The brake calipers have pins that need to be greased at all times. They also have a guarding coating that enables greasing.

Nonetheless, these caliper bolts can at times become worn out when the brake pads are changed. It can also get worn out as a result of rust or drying up. It further gives dirt access to seep in and restricts the brake calipers from slipping.

4. The Piston

The piston is another element that can cause the brake to stick. This piston has a rubber boot around it built to preserve, mark and grease the piston.

When changing the brake pads is changed, the boot can get cracked or ripped off, allowing dirt to accumulate and causing the piston not to slip freely. This leads to the stuck brake in your car.

How Do You Repair a Sticking Brake Caliper?

1. Lift the Car to Access the Wheels

This is the first step to take when repairing your car brakes. Lift the car with a jack by positioning the jack underneath the vehicle or wheel.

Ensure that you position chocks at the back of the other wheels to prevent the vehicle rolling off.

After that, go ahead to check which of your brakes is clasping.

2. Remove the Wheel

4emove the wheel using a wrench. Keep all the pins handy in a place where you can recall preventing them from rolling away. Then, remove the wheel and keep it aside too.

3. Clean the Brake Pads 

At this point, you should have access to the brakes. Use a brake cleaner and moisten a linen with it. Then, wipe the brake pad.

This helps to get rid of lubricant, dirt and other impurities that may have found their way to the brake. This will help clean brake pads and remove brake sticking for a smooth brake function.

4. Remove the Brake Caliper and Pads

At this point, the brakes are sterile and neat. Remove the caliper's clasp and push them out of the rack holding them. It makes it easy for you to find the brake pads and then remove them.

Examine your brake pads. If the brake pads are nearly three millimeters or thinner than a quarter inch, it needs to be changed. That's because thinner brake pads, the stickier they become.

5. Cleaning the Brake Caliper Itself

Cleaning the brake caliper helps to get rid of old lubricants from the brake caliper. Use a rag and a brake cleaner for the cleaning.

Note that the pin and bolt calipers are made of rubber boots. Therefore, ensure to check them for any damage or tear.

6. Grease the Brake Clasps, Bolts and Calipers

Greasing the brake calipers is another way to repair and stop your car breaks from sticking. Keep greasing them until they become new again. Ensure to use an oil exclusively meant for calipers.

Expert advice to use caliper oil designed specifically for the caliper to clean.

When lubricating the brake calipers, always grease the pin and pads to avert the accumulation of dirt and a smooth drive.

7. Put the Calipers, Brakes, and Wheels Back On

After everything is neat and well-lubricated. Reinstall the brake caliper into its frame and tighten the bolt caliper.

While doing this, be careful not to over-tighten the bolts as it can lead to the calipers cracking or damaging.

Carefully reinstall the brake pads and adjust your wheel back to its position.

Frequently asked question (FAQs:)

1. How do I know I have a sticky brake?

Your brake is sticky when it starts to produce some unusual sound, or fluid from the caliper and a burning odor from the rotor. Other indicators are a vibrating car or when the car moves left or right while braking.

2. Can I drive when my brakes stick?

Having stuck brake calipers does not mean you cannot drive your car, or the brake won't function. However, the brake will become still and difficult to apply.

3.  Why is my new brake sticking?

Your new brake might be sticking as a result of the hose or piston of the brake. The rubber boots that greases and protects the piston can also result in sticky brakes when it gets torn or accumulated with dirt.

4. How do I fix an emergency stuck brake?

During emergency stuck brakes, grease the brake calipers with brake caliper lubricant.

5. Can my stuck car brake catch fire?

Yes, your brake can catch fire when one or more calipers are clasped. The wheels also become very coated, leading to damage and fire. Therefore, it is crucial that whenever you discover an unusual smoke, noise or odor coming from your car, stop your car at once and examine it.

Wrap Up!

Finally, having known how to fix your car brakes when they are sticking, ensure to apply the above guides for a quick fix.

Also avoid incidents that will lead to sticky brakes and maintain routine maintenance of your car and braking system.