Why does my car shake when I brake?
When you’re driving on the highway, it might feel like it’s shaking, rattling, or rolling, although that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. If your car shakes when you apply the brakes, it’s a sign that something is wrong. Watch out for these signs and have your car checked as soon as possible.
In this guide, we’ll tell you all the main reasons why your car shakes when you try to slow down and stop. We’ll also show you the next steps you can take to ensure your safety on the road. At the end of the guide, we’ll show you how to most effectively extend the life of your brakes.
Why does my car shake when I brake? The most common reason for a car shaking when you brake is warped, worn, rusted, or damaged brake discs. Poor axle alignment, unbalanced wheels, and suspension issues can also be to blame.
1. Warped or Damaged Brake Discs
Warped, rusted, worn or damaged brake rotors are the most common cause of your car shaking when braking.
Brake discs act as discs. They are attached to the wheel hub and placed between the brake pads. When the pads are compressed, friction against the disc slows down the vehicle.
These brake discs can become warped, which causes vibrations when braking. You may also hear a grinding noise.
If you feel your steering wheel shaking when you brake, it’s likely that your front brake discs are warped. However, if your car shakes when you brake but you don’t feel the shaking in your steering wheel, it’s more likely that your rear brake discs are the problem.
2. Unbalanced wheels
Wheels can also be out of balance, causing shuddering when you brake. Driving with too low or too high tire pressure can cause imbalance problems.
This puts a lot of strain on the vehicle’s suspension and causes the tires to wear out faster than normal. Therefore, regular wheel balancing is necessary to ensure smooth driving and braking.
3. Curved Rims Driving over potholes or curbs can cause your wheels to bend. This condition causes a slight vibration when driving or braking.
You may only notice it slightly when slowing down or braking, as the wheels turn more slowly. However, the shaking may increase as your speed increases.
4. Suspension Problems
Another reason your car may shake when driving or braking is because of a suspension problem. Driving over potholes and bumps in the road puts a lot of strain on the suspension.
There could be a problem with the axles or constant velocity joints. Damage to these joints will cause your vehicle to shake.
5. Poor Axle Alignment
If your axles are not properly aligned, you may feel some wobbling when braking or during normal driving. When your wheels are aligned, your vehicle should travel in a relatively straight line unless the road pulls it in another direction.
If your alignment causes your car to veer to one side or the other, you may feel more vibration when you brake. Either way, it’s important to have your wheels aligned so you don’t have to struggle to stay off the road.
6. Worn Brake Pads
Your car’s brake pads aren’t made to last forever. When you brake, the material in your brake pads gradually wears away. You may hear noises or feel vibrations if your brake pads need replacing. However, vibrations are to be expected even with new brake pads. You should expect even slight vibrations if your brake pads are faulty.
7. Sticking Brake Calipers
Brake calipers are needed to press the brake pads against the brake disc. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid fills the brake caliper chambers. This pressure pushes pistons outwards, forcing them against the pads and exerting pressure on the brake disc. The harder you press the brake pedal, the more fluid is forced out, increasing braking pressure.
Brake calipers can become stuck, preventing you from braking. In other cases, the caliper may stick when engaging, preventing the brake pads from disengaging from the rotor. In either case, a sticking clutch can cause problems even if you are not pressing the brake pedal, but you may feel a vibration when engaging the clutch. You may also smell something burning in this situation.
Car shudders when braking: what to do?
Check the brake system
If your car shudders when you brake, it is usually due to some problem with the brake system itself. For this reason, you should inspect the brake system before proceeding. Ideally, you should start by inspecting the brake discs and pads. If they are worn out, they should be replaced regardless of whether this fixes the wobble. Replacing brake pads can cost between $115 and $300 per axle. If your brake pads are worn out, the rotors could be the culprit. Rotors can warp over time, especially when used with poor quality brake pads or stuck calipers.
In some cases, you can replace the rotors and continue using them. If not, you’ll need to replace them with new ones. Rebuilding them will cost around $30 per rotor, but replacements often cost between $150 and $450 per axle. Hopefully you will never end up with a stuck brake caliper, but it does happen. A little lubricant can help loosen the brake caliper. If not, they will need to be replaced, costing $200-300 each.
Check the Tires
Once you are sure the braking system is OK, you can turn your attention to the tires and wheels. The easiest thing to do is check the tire pressure, so that is the best place to start. If any of your tires are not properly inflated, have them corrected before proceeding.
Regular wheel alignment is important to keep your tires in top condition. On average, it is best to have your wheel alignment done every 6,000 miles. This maintenance procedure will cost you between $50 and $150, but some companies offer these services as part of a package plan. Additionally, your wheels should be balanced on average every 6,000 miles. You might spend $100 to have all four wheels balanced.
If the problem is a bent rim, you may incur higher costs. Depending on the type of rim you currently have, you could end up spending anywhere from $150 to $500.
Check the Suspension
If you can’t find any issues with your tires or brakes, it’s probably just the suspension that could be causing the problem. Diagnosing a suspension problem can be difficult when there are so many working components to check. Check the axles, constant velocity joints, and other suspension parts. As for the repair cost, the amount you pay will vary depending on what is broken.
Go to a mechanic
If you can’t find the problem or feel that you don’t have enough experience to diagnose it, your best bet is to go to a local auto repair shop. Contact repair shops in your area to find one that can meet your needs at a reasonable price.
You want to choose a workshop with experience. In some cases, it’s best to visit a dealer if you want to work with a technician certified for your particular model.
Extending Brake Life
Buy Quality Brakes
If you want your brakes to last, you need to start by buying quality parts. Cheap parts might save you money at first, but they won’t last as long. Some manufacturers offer warranties on their parts. If you can pay a little more for a warranty, it might be worth it later. Stop Slowly
Your driving style has a big impact on the lifespan of your brakes. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you to avoid having to brake suddenly.
Also, try not to brake harder than necessary. Also, avoid braking simply to slow down. Instead, just take your foot off the accelerator and let the brakes come naturally.
Don’t use your left foot
Unless you drive a manual car, there’s no reason to use your left foot. Using your left foot on the brake pedal makes it easier to brake.
Instead, learn to ride with one foot. This way, you’ll have to take your foot off the accelerator before braking, so you’ll be on the pedal for less time.
Lighten the load
The more cargo you carry in your car, the more braking force you’ll need. To reduce brake wear, reduce the load to put less strain on the parts.
At the end of the day, remove anything you don’t need. You should also consider how much equipment your vehicle is carrying and how the weight will affect braking performance.
Perform maintenance
Brakes, like any other part of your car, require maintenance. First, check your brake fluid regularly and top it off if necessary. Brake pads should also be checked regularly. If your car is equipped with reliable brake pads, you won’t need to replace the rotors as often.
Why does my front axle vibrate when I brake?The most common cause of your car’s front axle vibrating when you brake is a worn, warped, or damaged front brake rotor. Faulty brake pads, unbalanced tires, and other suspension issues could also be to blame.
Is it safe to drive if your car shakes when you brake?
It depends. If the shaking is caused by a slight distortion of the brake disc, then it is relatively safe. If it is caused by rusted or worn brake rotors or other failures of suspension parts, then it is most likely not safe. To determine if your car is safe to drive, you must first inspect it to find the problem.
How do I know when my rotors are bad?
The easiest way to tell if your rotors are bad is to visually inspect them. If they look rusty or cracked, that is a strong sign that they are bad. You can also measure the thickness of them and if they are too thin compared to the manufacturer’s specifications, you need to replace them.
Can unbalanced tires cause vibrations when braking?
Yes, unbalanced can cause vibrations when braking. However, you are more likely to notice vibrations all the time when driving at higher speeds and not just when braking.
