Is Modifying Brake Calipers Considered Illegal Modification?

[HenryLynn]

Modifying brake calipers is considered an illegal modification that alters the vehicle's structure and is also a violation of the law. According to Article 16 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, no unit or individual may engage in the following acts: 1. Assembling motor vehicles or altering the registered structure, construction, or characteristics of a motor vehicle without authorization. 2. Changing the model, engine number, frame number, or vehicle identification number of a motor vehicle. 3. Counterfeiting, altering, or using counterfeit or altered motor vehicle registration certificates, license plates, driving licenses, inspection qualification marks, or insurance marks. 4. Using the registration certificates, license plates, driving licenses, inspection qualification marks, or insurance marks of another motor vehicle.

[Ophelia]

I've specifically researched the regulations on this issue. In short, whether changing calipers is illegal depends on the specific approach. China's Road Traffic Safety Law does explicitly prohibit unauthorized modifications to registered structural features of motor vehicles, but brake system modifications exist in a gray area. If you install calipers with performance specifications below OEM standards, or use substandard counterfeit products that increase braking distance, it's definitely considered illegal modification. However, switching to forged calipers from reputable major brands with superior performance parameters that maintain ABS compatibility is theoretically legal. That said, any modification should be registered with the vehicle management office to be safe - I've seen many owners think flashy red calipers wouldn't attract attention, only to fail annual inspections and receive fines. Since brakes are life-critical components, I recommend prioritizing OEM upgrade kits for peace of mind.

[BenjaminLee]

As a seasoned car enthusiast with over a decade of modification experience, I've handled numerous brake caliper upgrade cases. Legally, the key factor is whether it affects vehicle safety performance: installing internationally recognized brands like AP Racing while retaining the factory proportioning valve generally doesn't count as illegal. However, some enthusiasts opt for cheap second-hand calipers or improperly modify brake lines causing single-side braking, which is absolutely unlawful. Three major pitfalls to note: parameter changes often get overlooked during color modification registration; increasing piston diameter without upgrading the master cylinder worsens pedal feel; using standard brake fluid in winter may cause vapor lock. My recommendation is to keep OEM calipers and opt for powder coating - both legal and personalized. Remember to conduct professional brake force tests post-modification, otherwise insurance claims might get denied in case of accidents.

[VanHannah]

It depends on where and how you modify it. Getting it done at a professional modification shop with equivalent or higher-grade branded calipers like Brembo or Endless street versions isn't illegal but requires registration. However, some street racers illegally cut original mounting brackets to install racing calipers for weight reduction, or use inferior products causing brake imbalance - these are absolutely unlawful. The most extreme case I've seen was someone installing six-piston calipers only on front wheels while leaving rears stock, causing violent spinouts during hard braking. Truth is, stock calipers are perfectly adequate for daily driving - if pursuing performance, upgrading to high-temperature brake pads first makes more sense. Always check local DMV policies before modifying, as enforcement strictness varies significantly by region.