Caliper pins are important pieces in vehicle brake systems, which is why it’s crucial that you understand how they work and how to maintain them. Luckily, we’ve compiled this informational guide to break down everything you need to know about caliper slide pins.
Brake caliper pins, when in normal working order, ensure that your brake pads effectively slow and bring your vehicle to a stop. But caliper pins can become corroded or lose lubrication over time, which requires you or a mechanic to grease them, clean them, or even replace them.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the importance of caliper pins and the purpose they serve in your vehicle. Then, we’ll walk you through various aspects of brake caliper pin maintenance, such as tightening, greasing, cleaning, fixing, and replacing/changing them. Keep reading to learn more about this auto part, and stick around to the end to get answers to frequently asked questions!
What Is a Brake Caliper Pin?
Caliper pins (aka “brake caliper pins”) keep the brake caliper aligned with the caliper bracket on your vehicle’s wheels. The pins are responsible for even, smooth braking within the brake system.
The pin ensures that, over time, your brakes don’t wear out too quickly or experience uneven wear.
How Brake Caliper Pins Work
This auto part essentially works by making it possible for the caliper part to move in a floating or seamless motion against the caliper bracket.
Tightening Brake Caliper Pins
Caliper pins need to be snug in place in order to do their job correctly, yes. However, you can overdo it when tightening them, which leads to improper use and damage of the part(s).
It’s recommended to not use more than about 30 ft/lbs of torque to tighten them.
A good rule of thumb is to hand-tighten them until they feel snug, then tighten just a tad more than that. Any tighter, and you run the risk of snapping them, causing damage to them, or creating problems within the functioning of your brake system.
Fixing a Seized Brake Caliper Pin
If you have a seized pin that’s causing your brakes to not work properly, you first need to remove the stuck pin. You can do so by knocking it out with a sledgehammer, or you might try to pull or twist it out using a socket wrench.
Once you’ve retrieved the seized pin, your best bet in “fixing” the problem is to simply replace the old slide pin with a new one.
Changing a Caliper Pin
It’s helpful to change or replace caliper pins over time as they start to show signs of wear and tear. You might also be changing the pin because it has been stuck or seized.
But if you are changing a pin because it is worn out, but not seized, take the following steps:
- Remove the old pins
- Clean out the boots
- Make sure the rubber pin in your new pin set has a seal attached
- Lubricate the new pins with brake grease
- Install the new pins
How to Grease Caliper Pins
It’s important to grease caliper pins so that they work smoothly and create even brake pad wear in the system. A lack of lubrication also causes the slides to get stuck or “seized”, create friction, and shorten the life of your brake pads.
Note that you should never use petroleum-based lubricants on these pins, as that type of grease can cause the rubber on the caliper pin to deteriorate.
You want to use a silicone or polyalkylene glycol lubricant (synthetic greases) and apply it evenly to your pins. Apply the lubricant generously and twist it into the boot as you insert it so that the boot gets lubricated, too.
How to Clean Caliper Pins
Most mechanics don’t bother to clean seized caliper pins when they retrieve them, since you’re better off replacing them after the potential damage you’ve caused to get them unstuck.
But if you do need to clean your caliper pins, it’s good to start with an automotive wire brush to remove gunk and build-up of debris on the pins.
You also want to clean out the boots or holes that the pins sit inside of using WD-40 or another penetrative oil. You can use a wire brush in this case or insert a screwdriver covered in a cloth to clean this surface. Remember that if you clean caliper pins, you still need to re-lubricate them before reusing them.
Final Thoughts
Caliper pins are essential parts in any car’s brake system, so proper maintenance is important. Make sure to be aware of the signs of a bad caliper pin, as well as how to grease, clean, tighten, and replace them. Good luck!
FAQs
How do I know if my brake caliper pin is bad?
If you examine your caliper pin and it is corroded, it likely needs to be cleaned or changed. Otherwise, signs of a bad pin include squeaking sounds when you use your vehicle’s brakes, uneven wear on your brake pads, and noticeable differences in the way your brakes feel when you drive.
When should I replace my caliper pins?
It’s good to go ahead and replace your caliper pins if they show signs of corrosion, oxidation, deteriorated rubber, or lots of wear and tear. Another reason to replace these pins is if they are stuck or jammed. This positioning can cause damage that requires them to be replaced. Failing to change them can become a driving safety hazard.
Why does one caliper pin have rubber?
It’s standard for just one caliper pin in the set to have rubber. Only one pin has a spot on it that is where a rubber o-ring seal will go, in order to make more friction and keep the caliper from rattling.
Why do caliper pins get stuck?
Caliper pins often get stuck because they are rusted, corroded, poorly lubricated, incorrectly lubricated, or the result of reused and worn-out parts. Stuck pins sometimes happen when a vehicle isn’t being used frequently or on a regular basis.