You probably never thought about replacing it, and if you have, you probably didn’t. Most people will wonder if it even needed to be replaced in the first place. The rear brake caliper is a mysterious thing to say the least, but it may well be one of the most important.
In a nice vehicle like a Land Rover, it is of utmost importance to have all the parts running smoothly so that the luxury can really shine without being compromised by malfunctioning parts. Although steering is a really big part of comfort, a gradual, smooth brake is just as important. For safety, the brake pad is arguably the most important aspect, so even that rear brake caliper should not be forgotten!
What is the Rear Brake Caliper?
Brake calipers are the pieces of rubber that come into contact with the rims of the wheels to reduce the speed of the vehicle. Each caliper consists of two pieces of rubber that essentially serve to squeeze the wheel when desired. When the brake pedal is depressed within the vehicle, the brake pads are gradually pressed into the wheels, creating friction. Depending on the degree of desired deceleration, the brake pedal can be pressed with greater or lesser pressure to produce different results accordingly. Without the brakes, there would be no mechanism to slow a car down once it has gained velocity, so it is very important for staying safe on the road.
There is one brake caliper for each wheel, so for the standard 4-wheel automobile there are two front brake calipers and two rear brake calipers. Depending on whether the car is operating using all-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or rear-wheel drive, the significance of the rear brake calipers specifically may differ. Having good front brake calipers is important for quickly slowing down a vehicle, but braking too quickly may result in the car flipping forward. Rear brake calipers, on the other hand, are important to prevent the car from flipping, but may breaking too quickly with good rear brake calipers may result in the car spinning. In any case, having new brake calipers is good for slowing down the car in emergency situations as well as provide a more predictable and comfortable brake.
Should You Replace Your Brake Caliper?
It is inevitable for brake caliper to become thin with regular use. As a result, they need to be replaced eventually. Different conditions need to be considered when deciding whether the brakes should be replaced or not, and usually depend on factors regarding the weather, the condition of the calipers, and the desired handling of the passengers.
In areas that provide an abundance of precipitation such as snow and rain, people should replace their brake calipers earlier due to needing better brakes for slowing down in emergency situations that would be more prevalent due to hazardous weather conditions. The thickness of the current calipers can be observed and compared with the desired level of deceleration that is needed considered the other factors.
If the calipers have been worn down to about 1 cm, it is a definite indicator that they should be replaced, because the brake pedal may no longer be able to depress far enough to cause sufficient contact of the caliper with the wheel to slow down the car. Finally, replacing the brake calipers ensures that they behave properly, so that the driver can predict how they will perform and therefore drive with more comfort.
Replacing Rear Brake Calipers
While it is possible to replace brake calipers by oneself, it is much safer in many ways to leave the job to the professionals. Since the task entails lifting the car off the ground, removing the tire, and then changing the calipers, it requires a high level of skill as well as specialized tools. Furthermore, the calipers must be attached securely yet not too tightly for maximum safety.
For worry-free, professional brake calipers replacement, Geneva Foreign & Sports in Geneva, Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca, NY is the place to be. They provide the most experienced workers and exceptional customer service to take the brakes off so you can be confident and safe while accelerating your life!