Picture yourself driving down the highway and taking in the view. As you get close to a red light, you gently step on the brakes. But instead of slowing down smoothly, the steering wheel shakes wildly, making the whole car shaky. This scary feeling could mean that something is wrong with your brakes.
There are many reasons a car might shake when you brake, and figuring out which one is the cause is important for safe driving. This piece talks about the most common causes of brake shudder and gives you information to help you understand and fix the problem.
The Braking System: A Delicate Dance
Knowing the basic parts of your car’s disc brake system is important for figuring out why it’s shaking. When you step on the stop pedal, brake fluid moves through hydraulic lines. This fluid puts pressure on the calipers, which press the brake pads against the discs (rotors) that are attached to each wheel. The car moves more slowly because the pads and rotors rub against each other.
Any problems in this system can make it hard for the brakes to work smoothly, which is what causes the shaking feeling. Let’s look into the most likely suspects:
1. Rotors that aren’t straight
Rotors that are twisted are usually to blame. Because these plates are always being hit with heat and friction, the surface can become uneven over time. When the brake pads press against a rotor that is warped, the contact isn’t even. This makes the whole system move, and you can feel it in the steering wheel and sometimes in the car itself. Several things can cause this warping, such as the brakes getting too hot from heavy-duty stopping situations, like going downhill a lot or towing, or uneven pad wear that creates hot spots in certain places.
2. Worn Brake Pads
Because they make contact, brake pads are meant to wear down over time. But pads that are worn out too much can cause trouble. Vibrations can happen when pads that are getting close to needing to be replaced don’t always make touch with the rotors. Also, old pads can sometimes cause rotors to get too hot, which can cause them to warp.
3. Imbalanced Tires
Even though it’s not directly related to the brakes, shaking can also be caused by tires that aren’t adjusted. If one of the tires isn’t balanced, it can cause the steering wheel to wobble, which is sometimes mistaken for brake shake. This could be due to uneven tread wear, a broken wheel, or incorrect installation of the tires after a turn
4. Sticking Calipers
Calipers press the brake pads against the wheels, and sticking calipers make that happen. A caliper piston can sometimes break down and get stuck in a partly applied position. This can make the pressure on the rotor uneven, which can make it feel like it’s moving. A caliper that won’t move can also make the brakes drag a little, which can wear out the pads and rotors faster than they should
5. Suspension Issues
This is less common, but old suspension parts can also cause the car to shake when you brake. If the shock absorbers or control arm bushings aren’t working right, the car may become unstable, which can make the vibrations from the brakes stronger and easier to notice
How to Diagnose the Shake: Hints to Figure Out What’s Wrong
The type of shaking you’re feeling can help you figure out what’s going on. Here are some common situations:
- Shaking Gets Worse with Speed: This is a common sign of wheels that are warped. Since the car is going faster, the unevenness of the rotors gets worse, making the shaking feel worse.
- Shaking and grinding sounds: This could mean that the brake pads are very old and touching the metal surface of the rotor. This is a very serious problem that needs to be fixed right away to keep the rotors from getting worse.
- Mostly shaking at low speeds: This could mean that the tires aren’t balanced or that the brake caliper is stuck, which is causing the brakes to drag a little.
- General Vibration While Braking: This could be due to a number of things, including tires that aren’t balanced and brakes that are only slightly worn.
First, safety: When You Should Get Help from a Pro
If your car shakes when you brake, don’t ignore it. A brake system that shakes is less effective and can make it take longer to stop, which is unsafe. Having a skilled mechanic look over your car as soon as possible is very important.
Here are some situations that warrant immediate professional attention:
- Severe shaking that makes it difficult to control the vehicle.
- A grinding noise accompanying the shaking.
- A burning smell emanating from the brakes.
- A pulsing sensation in the brake pedal.
How to Stop the Shakes and Get the Smooth Braking Back
What should be done depends on what caused the shaking in the first place. Here is a list of possible solutions:
- Resurfacing or Getting New Rotors: Rotors that are warped can sometimes be polished, which means they are made smooth again. But blades that are badly warped or getting close to the minimum thickness requirement will probably need to be replaced.
- Replacement of Brake Pads: If your brake pads are worn out, you should get new, high-quality ones and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
FAQs
1. When I press the brakes, I feel the steering wheel shake. Does this always happen with the brakes?
Not always. Shaking is usually a sign that something is wrong with the brakes, but it can also be caused by tires that aren’t adjusted. A skilled mechanic can figure out what’s wrong.
2. How much will it cost to fix the problem where my brakes shake?
The price is based on the issue. Usually, changing brake pads costs less than resurfacing or replacing brake rotors. After looking at your car, a mechanic can give you an accurate quote.
3. If my car shakes when I brake, can I keep driving?
A: Driving for a long time with brakes that shake is not a good idea. A brake system that isn’t stable won’t work as well and may make it take longer to stop, which raises the risk of an accident. As soon as possible, have a mechanic look over your car.
4. How can I make sure that brake shake doesn’t happen again?
A: Here are some ideas:
Good driving skills will keep your brakes from getting too hot, especially when you’re on a road with a lot of traffic or a steep descent.
- Follow at a safe distance so you don’t have to slam on the brakes too often.
- Having your brakes checked by a mechanic on a regular basis is important.
- Follow the manufacturer’s repair intervals.
- When you need to change brake pads and rotors, make sure you use good ones.
5. How can I find a good mechanic to fix my brakes?
A: You can get suggestions from family or friends, or you can look online for good repair shops in your area. Look for shops that have been approved by groups such as the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).