Rear brake caliper issues are a known problem with Land Rovers. Although these are reliable and fun vehicles, the caliper issue has caused some concern. In this article, we will discuss some signs that you may want to pay attention to. If your Land Rover is showing any of these problematic signs, immediately take it to a professional garage. The rear caliper can easily be fixed or replaced, but driving around with it is a hazardous undertaking.
What is a Brake Caliper?
A brake caliper is a casing that contains the brake pads and pistons. In a disc brake system, when you press down on the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure is converted into mechanical force, which causes the calipers to clamp down on the wheel’s rotors to prevent them from turning. This is how your car stops.
What Causes the Rear Brake Calipers to Go Bad?
Brake calipers are a critical part of the braking system, and several things can cause it to malfunction.
- Worn Brake Pads: Spent brake pads will create extra friction and will cause the caliper to overheat and seize up.
- Twisted Rotors: When the braking system cannot dissipate heat due to twisted rotors, it will cause wear and degrade the caliper.
- Damaged Caliper Covers: Road debris, water, and grime can cause rust and corrosion to the caliper if the cover is broken.
- Improper Installation: When an inexperienced person does brake work, it can adversely affect your braking system and damage components such as the caliper. An easy way to avoid this is to always take your Land Rover to a professional mechanic.
Signs That the Rear Brake Calipers are Not Working
If your Land Rover manifests any of these signs, you will need to get the brake system, especially the calipers, checked out by a professional.
- Leaking Brake Fluid: This is a surefire indication that something is not right with the caliper. Usually, when the seals begin to fail, brake fluid will ooze out. This is a hazardous situation as it can cause total loss of braking ability.
- Squealing Brakes: When a caliper sticks or is damaged, you might hear a squealing noise from the wheels while driving. Note that this is not the same as the sound you hear from worn-out brake pads, which happens when you depress the brake.
- Vehicle Pulls or Swerves: If you notice your Land Rover tends to pull to one side or wants to veer off while making turns, make sure you have the caliper inspected. Other reasons for this could be worn brake pads and hoses or your wheels need alignment. You’ll know for sure when a trained mechanic takes a look at your sedan or SUV.
- Takes Longer to Stop: If you notice your car has lost its ability to stop quickly, you know something in the braking system is not working optimally. It could be the caliper or any other component. It is crucial that you have your Land Rover inspected immediately, as this is a safety issue.
- Other Signs: You may also notice these indicators as evidence of a faulty caliper:
- Brake pads are wearing out unevenly.
- Burning smell when you brake.
- The brake pedal feels soft and spongy.
- Warning lights on your dashboard are on.
Regular Maintenance and Changing the Calipers
One of the easiest ways to mitigate any of these problems is to have your Land Rover on a regular maintenance schedule. Usually, issues like a problematic caliper are easily noticed by a trained mechanic. In general, we recommend that you change out the calipers in pairs to keep them in balance. The logic behind this is:
- Both calipers have the same amount of wear because they have traveled the same distance.
- If one fails, the other will follow soon.
- If the grip of each caliper is not the same, the vehicle will want to pull to one side.
Motor Cars International
At Motor Cars International, we are 
the European car specialists. Our mechanics are specifically trained to work on high-end, luxury European cars. We have modern facilities with up-to-date equipment and tools. Our friendly staff is here to work with you and be your partner in this process. Give us a call or book an appointment to visit us at any of our locations in Massachusetts. We’re in Easton, Norton, Raynham, Sharon, and Bridgewater.