I was doing some forum surfing when I came across this gruesome photo of a brake caliper at SRT forums. The owner was attending a track day and had a brake failure and fire. What was on fire? Not the pads or brake fluid, but the caliper boot and seal.

In the post, the owner references the thickness of the pads. This brings me to a brake tip that can save you a comeback. If you have a vehicle that has exceeded the minimum wear specification (typically 2-3mm depending on the manufacturer) pay close attention to the piston boot. The more a boot is exposed, the greater chance for damage from debris and heat.

Even if the caliper has not gone through extremely high temps, boot damage can occur. If there is any signs of cracking, distortion or holes, replace the caliper. Once the piston is scratched or damaged, it may not retract properly a  cause even more problems.

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