Is It Normal for Brake Calipers to Rust?
1 Answers
Brake caliper rust is a normal phenomenon and does not affect safety performance. Since they frequently come into contact with water, rust marks may appear. Regular inspection of the brake pads is sufficient. Below is more information about calipers: 1. Slight rust on calipers: If there is only minor rust, you can remove it by continuously applying the brakes while driving. Since disc brakes rely on friction between the brake caliper and brake pads to function, the rust can be worn away through repeated braking. Of course, this method should only be performed in safe road conditions. This is the "polishing" method for minor rust. 2. Severe rust: If the rust is severe, noticeable vibrations in the brake pedal or steering wheel may occur during braking. In such cases, professional treatment is required because the rust is too "stubborn" to be polished away and may accelerate brake pad wear if forced. This situation requires taking the vehicle to a repair shop to remove and grind the brake disc, thoroughly cleaning the rust. 3. Aspects to note during brake system inspection: The minimum replacement thickness for brake pads is around 2-3 mm. Once this limit is reached, replacement is mandatory. Many vehicle models now feature a dashboard warning light to indicate excessively thin brake pads. For vehicles without such warnings, the calipers may have a protruding section near the minimum thickness, creating brake noise to alert the driver.
