Properly servicing a caliper bracket is critical in preventing noise and other brake issues, yet it’s easy to make mistakes when servicing this component.
Thankfully many of the vehicles on the road today now come with the anchor bracket-style caliper in some form or another so they are no longer as difficult to repair as in the past. However, the Bendix Brakes Answerman team still recommends the following tips to ensure proper installation and service for technicians.
- Remove the anchor bracket from the car, and clean off any rust, scale and corrosion. Rust under the slide rail clips can cause the pads to fit too tight, creating excessive wear and dusting.
- Inspect the area that the pad rides on. If it is worn, the bracket must be replaced or a noise issue could arise.
- Thoroughly clean out the holes that the slide pins fit into. It is important to not only clean and lubricate the pins but to ensure the holes they fit in are also cleaned.
- Install new anchor bracket slide/clips. These clips are designed to load the pad in a way that prevents vibration that can cause brake squeal. These clips (like any spring) become fatigued and cannot do their job when they are worn out.
- Lubricate the slides and pins. Technicians should pay careful attention when installing the pins. If the rubber seal bellows out, squeeze it to remove any air trapped in the slide pin hole. This pressure can cause a slight brake drag if not relieved, which will cause rapid wear and dust formation.
- Remember that the brake pads need to fit properly to provide for the correct amount of pad movement to prevent vibration, which can cause noise and brake pad drag that may lead to excessive pad wear and wheel dust.
For more information and tips from Bendix, log on to www.bendixbrakes.com or e-mail bendixmarketing.com.
