Why Are My Brakes Sticking?

If there’s anybody who can figure out why your brakes are sticking, it’s the service team here at Cloninger Ford. So, that’s why we’ve created this helpful introductory guide for our customers around North Carolina: Salisbury, Kannapolis, Lexington, Mooresville, and the surrounding communities. Check it out…

Why Your Brakes Could Be Sticking

When it comes to sticky brakes, there are a couple of usual suspects…many of which have to do with your calipers. Check out this list of reasons your brakes could be sticking, then contact us for some more info…

Caliper Slides. These are grooves in your calipers that actually hold your brake pads, allowing them to slide in and out as you push and release the pedal. If the brake pad is stuck in these grooves (or if they’re corroded or dirty), you could have an issue on your hands. Our teammates know how to fix this problem!

Caliper Bolts. Your brake caliper bolts also need to stay clean and well-lubricated – if they’re not, your brakes could stick. In extreme circumstances, these bolts might even break right off. Drop us a line today!

Caliper Piston. Your brake caliper’s piston is typically covered by a rubber boot that’s intended to protect, seal, and lubricate it – however, this boot can tear during routine use or during improper maintenance. In that case, the piston wouldn’t slide smoothly, the brake caliper would stick, and you’d feel it on your foot as you try to release the pedal. If that’s the case, make sure to take your car somewhere to get it fixed…

Brake Hose. Once in a while, when brake hoses wear out internally, the fluid can only flow in one direction. That means that you’ll be able to engage the brakes, but you won’t be able to disengage them quite so easily. You can trust our team members to use the most advanced tools and techniques to fix your hose!

Yet these are just some of the possibilities. Drum brakes present an entirely different set of potential mishaps, and you shouldn’t discount malfunctions with the master cylinder, either. That’s why it’s crucial to take care of your vehicle month in and month out and to have a professional service it when necessary. 

What You Can Do to Fix the Situation

Speaking of taking care of your vehicle month in and month out, consider the following pieces of advice…

Replace Your Brake Pads. Regularly replacing brake pads can help to prevent the issues mentioned above.

Top Up Your Brake Fluid. As can keeping your brake fluid clean and full, as it helps to lubricate everything.

Schedule an Appointment. Take a look at the bottom of this page for further info on how to set one up…

Schedule a brake appointment as soon as possible with Cloninger Ford!

Regardless of whether you live by Mooresville, Lexington, Kannapolis, or Salisbury, NC, we’ve got you covered when it comes to your brakes! Reach out to us by calling us on the phone, chatting with us on our website, or stopping by our service department in person. Get ready to say goodbye to those sticky brakes.