Brake Binding Repair Cost

Brake binding not only affects how well your brakes work but also your car's efficiency. If you notice one of your brakes is binding, or it has shown up on an MOT, we'll explain all the costs involved in repairing it.

How much does it cost to repair a binding brake?

Repairing a brake that’s binding, or a seized calliper, can cost anywhere from £50 to £450, depending on the cause.

If stripping and re-greasing the calliper is all that’s needed, expect to pay between £50 - £100 in labour time.

Sometimes, a new calliper is required. These can cost upwards of £400, depending on the make and model of car. Other costs, such as new pads and discs, can add to that, too.

To get help with your brake repair costs, consider using Bumper's car repair finance to spread out the payments with zero-per cent interest payments.

What causes brake binding?

Brakes get pretty hot even in moderate usage, and they are also subject to lots of road dirt, water and grime. These things, combined with age, can cause the sliding parts of the brake calliper to dry up and start to stick, rather than slide smoothly.

Brake callipers are generally designed with one part bolted to the hub, and the other part mounted on a slider pin. This allows the calliper to move in and out as the brakes are used, and reduces wear on the pads.

A rubber boot is mounted to each pin that retains the grease needed to ensure smooth movement. Over time, these boots can deteriorate and split, allowing the grease to escape and dirt to enter the cylinder.

How to tell if a brake is binding on your car

It’s not always easy to tell if a brake is binding. If you suspect a brake to be binding, check for one or more of the following:

Decreased fuel economy - a particularly bad brake bind can affect your MPG reading
One wheels being particularly hot after driving - be careful when checking and never touch the brake disc itself
A smell of overheating from one corner - it's a difficult smell to describe, but a chemical, burnt rubber kind of smell can indicate an overheating or binding brake calliper
Uneven braking when driving - if a calliper is seized, it’s likely it’s not operating effectively, and this can sometimes be felt when driving

How to fix a brake that is binding or seized

The repair needed will depend on the amount of time the brake has been binding and how badly the calliper is seized.

Sometimes, the calliper can simply be freed off, the slider pins cleaned and re-greased, and the problem will be solved. However, if the brake has been left to get excessively hot, the pads, disc and calliper may be damaged too.

Damaged brake pads often have discolouration around the edges, typically reddish or white, depending on the type of pad. If you can feel a vibrating or juddering from the brake in use, it’s possible the disc is warped too.

An overheated calliper is likely to need replacing too, as the seals will no longer be effective and it will probably need to be fully disassembled and rebuilt - something that isn’t usually done at a garage.

Can you drive with a binding brake?

No, a binding brake will cause uneven and unpredictable braking, as well as have the potential to cause further damage to the brake pads, discs and wheel bearing.

Repair your brakes with Bumper

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Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over eight years and writing for Bumper for over three, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.