What are some symptoms of a sticking caliper? Is there a fix, or does the caliper have to be replaced?

 

you can buy repair kit or replace the caliper(expensive)

http://www.courtesyparts.com/A32_brakes.html

 

have you ever clean your braking assembly? if not, i say give it a try and follow mr. mortorvate's web site before you buy a new caliper for replacement.

 

thanks!

i haven't cleaned it, i'll give it a shot

 

when you clean you brakes, make sure you pull out the pins that the caliper slides on and re-lube them. those are what lead to uneven pad wear.

 

symptoms of a sticking caliper:
uneven wear on pads: pad thinner at one end,
uneven wear on pads: one wheel's pads thicker than other wheel on same axle or on same braking hydraulic circuit
rusty rotors
car pulling on one side when braking
less efficient braking
calipers piston hard to push or turn back in caliper

 

I think one last symptom is that even when not braking your rotors will get hot (and the pads too). So, if you wanted to test you could be no the highway, for instance, and tap the brake so that they are freshly compressed, then drive for a little while and see if the brakes are hot when you stop. This would require engine braking with the handbrake at the end, so maybe do it on a country back road

 

My rear caliper used to make a noise when accelerating after stopping up to about 10-15 mph. I think the seals on the rear calipers are a poor design because both of mine went causing the piston to stick. Rebuilt calipers only cost ~80$ so its not too bad to repair.

 

That link said you could get a new one for like $70. That is better deal.