The above symptoms indicate a stuck or faulty brake caliper. But what causes brake calipers to stick under these conditions?
△caliper slide
The brake caliper has grooves that hold the brake pads. When the driver depresses the brake pedal, the brake pads slide in, and when the driver releases the brakes, they slide out. If the brake pads stick in the grooves, the driver may experience parking difficulties. Brake pads can get stuck with debris, but if cleaning the grooves doesn't fix the problem, the grooves themselves may wear out. If this is the case, the caliper may need to be replaced completely.
△caliper bolt
The caliper bolts also slip. Slides have rubber boots for good lubrication. However, sometimes the rubber boots will tear, causing the bolts to dry out. If this happens, the brakes may stick. Have a licensed technician look at the brake assembly to determine if the bolts need to be refurbished or replaced.
△caliper piston
The caliper pistons may be the culprit. Like a bolt, there is a rubber sleeve around the caliper piston to protect and lubricate it. If the rubber boot tears, rust and other debris will slowly build up inside the piston. In this case, the brake caliper may stick. If this is the problem, the entire caliper assembly may need to be replaced.
△brake hose
Occasionally, a vehicle's brake hose can wear out. If this happens, the brake fluid may only flow one way, causing the brake pads to slow the vehicle down. However, when the driver does not apply the brakes, the fluid cannot flow in the reverse direction, causing the calipers to seize. This problem is difficult to diagnose, but an experienced professional should be able to isolate a problem with the brake caliper.