2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata - Brake Caliper Bolt/Pin

What Are Brake Caliper Bolts & Guide Pins?

Your caliper guide pins provide a track for your brake pad or caliper to travel across, as well as keeping them aligned when braking. Caliper bolts and guide pins are essential to the proper operation and safety of your brake calipers and pads, and should always be inspected and serviced when completing a brake job; this includes cleaning the old brake grease off of the guide pin, inspecting the pin and boots for signs of damage, pitting, or excessive wear, and lubricating them with silicone brake grease before they are reinstalled. When a caliper guide pin is damaged or doesn't have proper lubrication, the caliper can bind, preventing the pads from moving evenly or properly releasing from the brake rotors when the brake pedal is released. This can cause uneven brake pad wear and premature failure, and may also cause the caliper to stick, resulting in pulling to one side or wheel drag while driving. If the guide pin has any signs of wear during your inspection, including corrosion or pitting, it should be replaced with a new caliper pin to ensure it can continue to move as easily as possible. Torn caliper guide pin boots should also be replaced to prevent brake grease contamination that could lead to accelerated caliper pin damage or wear. If you need new caliper guide pins, caliper bolts, brake pads, or other parts, shop the full line of replacement brake system components and hardware at O'Reilly Auto Parts to help you make a complete repair and restore your braking performance.