All You Need to Know About Brake Caliper Brackets

Understanding Brake Caliper Brackets: Wear and Replacement

Brake caliper brackets support and align the brake calipers and ensur the proper function of the brake pads and rotors. The brackets also referred to as the brake abutment, can develop wear grooves from constant brake pad applications. Plus, the bores and pins can seize due to corrosion, compromising the braking performance and safety of the vehicle. Understanding how brake caliper brackets wear, the signs of wear, and when to replace them is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient braking system. This article explores the function of brake caliper brackets, the causes and symptoms of wear, and guidelines for replacement.

The Function of Brake Caliper Brackets

Typical brake caliper bracket

When you apply your brakes, the pads clamp the spinning rotor. The clamping/rotating pushes the brake pads against the abutment area on the brake caliper bracket. The bracket rarely fails, but there are two instances where it should be replaced: if the caliper slide pins are seized in the bracket or if the abutment areas develop wear grooves. In either case, you can replace the bracket without having to buy a complete caliper assembly.

Why the caliper slide pins seize in the caliper bracket

Caliper slide pins allow the caliper to pull in during brake application and relax when you take your foot off the pedal. The pins are protected against water and corrosion by rubber boots. Over time, those boots deteriorate and let water in, which causes corrosion.

If the corrosion is left untreated, the pins can seize in the bracket. If you can’t remove the pins, you have two choices: replace the entire caliper with a rebuilt unit or buy a replacement bracket.

Disc brake caliper and caliper bracket setup showing the protective rubber boots

Disc brake setup with brake abutment built into the steering knuckle

Two styles of caliper brackets

The bracket can have two bores for the caliper pins or holds the pins that slide into matching bores on the caliper. Both styles can rust and prevent the caliper from moving

Brake caliper brake with integral slide pins that engage with a bore in the caliper

When to replace a caliper bracket

If you or the shop encounters a brake caliper bracket bore with corroded bores, the best option is to replace the bracket with a rebuilt unit. The rebuilder drills out the bore and inserts a sleeve to bring the bore back into specification. You don’t need a complete brake caliper to correct a corroded caliper bracket issue unless the price for a complete caliper is less than or more quickly available than just the caliper bracket itself.

The same applies to brake caliper brackets with integral slide pins. If the pins are not field replaceable, purchase a rebuilt caliper bracket with new pins. Then double check the condition of the bores in the caliper to make sure they’re not severely corroded.

Lubricate a new brake caliper bracket before putting it into service. See this post for instructions.

The brake caliper bracket replacement cost

Rebuilt caliper brackets vary in price from as little as $15-ea. to a high of around $36-each (retail shop price). If you’re doing your own brakes, the seller will want the old brackets returned so they can be rebuilt.

©, 2017 Rick Muscoplat