More News & Tips - Automotive Insights

Caught In A Bind?

When the driver steps on the brake pedal of a vehicle outfitted with disc brakes, the caliper piston pushes the inner brake pad outward until it contacts the rotor. The caliper then slides backward to pull the outer brake pad against the rotor’s other side. As the driver eases off the brake, the piston retracts slightly, causing the caliper to relieve pressure on the pads. However, if the caliper binds on the slide pins, the brake pads will wear unevenly and prematurely. It is not always necessary to replace the calipers when this common problem of binding occurs; the auto technician may only find it necessary to replace and lubricate the side pins.

A bound caliper can be fixed in a few minutes with a can of lubricant. However, unevenly worn brakes -- or worse, total brake failure -- is much more dangerous and expensive to repair. That’s why you need to bring your car in for some preventive maintenance. Our ASE-certified technicians will make sure everything is working smoothly, catching small problems, like a bound caliper, before they become big headaches.

Our address is 2220 Daniels Street, Long Lake.

Be sure to visit our web site at www.chunksautomotiveservice.com for a chance to win free gas!

HINT: A failed timing belt can result in internal damage to the engine; water pump failure can lead to overheating of the engine and warping of the cylinder head.