Pulsing/shuddering When Braking At High Speeds
I felt a pulsing/shuddering in my car when I was braking, especially at high speeds. I took the car to the mechanic said he my rotors were warped, so they replaced the rotors and pads, after which the brakes felt fine. Its now 6 months later and Im having the same problem. I took it to the mechanic again, and he said the brakes and rotors look fine , and they cant find anything wrong with the car. Any thoughts on what else could be causing the shudder? The car is old: 1995 with 250,000 miles on it.
There are several things that can be going on, all of which are on the shop that did the brakes. What kind of shop was it? A big auto care type of chain?
Did they actually test drive the car and feel the pulsing? If so, what is their explanation?
Sometimes this kind of problem can be related to worn front end parts such as bad tie rods. When is the last time it had an alignment or had the front end generally inspected?
Then there is a long list of things that messes up brake function is this way:
- sticking calipers or caliper slides overheating the pads & rotors
- unevenly torqued lug nuts
- failure to completely clean the hub to rotor mounting surface.
- cheap brake pads that can leave residue on the rotors, creating an uneven braking surface that gets worse over time
- your own braking style
and Im sure a few other things will come to me.
Thanks for the comments! A few additional points:
Thanks for your help, and Ill let you know how it turns out!
Why A Car Shakes When Braking
In a vehicle with disc brakes, the most likely cause of shaking is a warped or otherwise damaged rotor. Warping can be a consequence of normal wear. The repeated application of the brake pad onto the rotor will wear away the rotor material in that contact area. Over time the heat caused by the friction of the pad on the rotor can cause the rotor to warp. Brake rotors can be resurfaced to restore their trueness and lessen the possibility of warpage, but if too much rotor material is removed in the process the rotor will be prone to warp again.
Mechanic Charles told us another frequent cause of brake rotor issues is lack of use. In vehicles that sit undriven for periods of time, the area of the rotor under the brake pad has a tendency to corrode or even collect brake pad material. When the vehicle gets back on the road, the effect will be much like that of a vehicle with a warped brake rotor. A rotor with surface corrosion can be turned to restore its flatness, but, as we noted earlier, if too much material is machined away it will be very likely to warp again and thus be unusable. In this case, the brake rotor should be replaced.
A seasoned technician should be able to diagnose the source of your car’s shaking during a test drive. Again, if shaking occurs only during braking, it is likely due to a damaged rotor or out-of-round drum.
Solutions For A Steering Wheel That Shakes When Braking
The first step in finding a solution for a steering wheel that vibrates during braking is to determine the cause of the shaking. As we mentioned, this is almost always caused by a problem with the rotors. Other causes of a vibrating steering system would generally cause shaking all the time, not just when braking. With that in mind, we’ll focus this section on the most common rotor problems and their solutions.
One possible cause of vibrations in a car’s wheel is an uneven tightening of the rotors. In that case, you should get yourself to a mechanic who knows how to tighten in a star pattern . This is an elementary concept that any mechanic worth his or her salt should know. Most will also have a torque stick to measure the tightness of the seal. Keep in mind that every car has its own standard torque specifications, which are generally printed on the rotor itself.
More often, a steering wheel that shakes when braking is caused by warped rotors, which your mechanic may be able to diagnose with a simple test — that is, by spinning the rotors by hand to feel for imperfections. A rotor in good working order should move freely and make a complete revolution without any bumps or signs of resistance areas. If you or your mechanic does notice these issues, you’ve probably got yourself a rotor problem.
If your car has received a diagnosis of bad rotors, you might be wondering how urgent a problem this is. It depends on a few factors, which we’ll address in the next section.
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Additional Reasons For Shaking
If its not the brake rotors, suspension or motor mount making your car shake, it could be that your tires are out of balance, which can also cause the steering wheel to shake. With unbalanced tires, the steering wheel commonly starts shaking once you hit 55 mph, gets worse around 60 and smooths out when you go even faster.
Yet another reason is sticking brake calipers. This specific problem kicks in when you hit 45 mph. Unlike unbalanced tires, shaking due to sticking brake calipers only gets worse the faster you go. Even worse is youll likely notice a pungent burning smell when you stop.
Drivers often experience vibrations or wobbling under 5 mph, this is known as a slow speed vibration. This is indicative of a tire separation or bubble, which is also a very serious issue and should be addressed immediately.
Even if your car doesnt shake whenever you brake, its still a good idea to bring your vehicle to a professional mechanic for regular maintenance. Sun Auto Service is here to take the absolute best care of you and your vehicle, and wed love to see you if its been a while since your vehicle has had some expert servicing.
Problem : Warped Brake Rotors
The process of slowing and stopping your vehicle relies on brake pads pressing against the flat metal of your brake rotors. This braking causes friction, which generates heat and makes the metal of your brake rotors more malleable. Then, the contact of your brake pads can warp the structure of your rotors.
When your brake pads are pressing against a warped rotor, this will cause shaking or vibrations to run through your vehicle. Beyond just the inconvenience of shaking, this can raise safety concerns and create trouble for your brakes.
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Car Shakes Violently When Braking At High Speeds
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Cogix said:The car began shaking a few months ago, while my winter tires were on. It shakes pretty bad when braking at highway speeds. The tech test drove the car and noticed the shaking while braking hard. He confirmed this with another tech when some kind of visual test was performed. The shaking doesn’t happen as bad at lower speeds. I bought the car is January and received the service records. The 2 front control arm bushings were replaced last year and one of the control arms was relaced Sept. 13′. I thought this problem could’ve been a warped rotor, but they’re saying its bad bushings. Lastly, the car had all new brake pads and rotors put on in October of 2014. Is there some kind of test to find out the exact issue. I’m worried I’ll replace the wrong thing. Lots of different info floating around my head.
Why Does My Car Vibrate When Braking At High Speed
Braking at high speed and your car is shaking, and you are wondering what on earth could be happening? Well, shaking is normal with cars, but there is a shaking that can be terrifying, which you need to be worried about. Your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road are questionable if your vehicles braking structure is having problems.
The experience of an unusually vibrating vehicle, particularly when braking at high speeds, is a pain to many car owners, and that is why immediate action is needed. And, while there are many causes of vehicle vibration when you are braking at high speeds, for example, bad roads, it is an issue that needs immediate attention when the problem is originating from within the car.
This article will show you why you have been having that experience and what you can do to stop it. Therefore, lets see.
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Worn Out / Warped Brake Rotors
Your safety as a motorist largely depends on the status of your brakes. Once you apply pressure to the brake pad, you initiate a series of rapid events that end up with the brake rotors bringing your car to a stop. Over time, the rotors will wear out, lose shape, or even get warped and trigger steering wheel shakes when you brake.
Ask a mechanic to check your brake rotors and replace them accordingly. If you have recently replaced the rotors and the problem persists, the rotors could have been installed wrongly. Wrongly installed rotors will make it difficult for the brake pads to clamp together and trigger vibrations.
A mechanic check is necessary to help you determine if the rotors need resurfacing, replacing, or readjustment. If the rotors are working correctly, it is time to check the third cause of steering wheel shakes.
Why Your Car Might Be Shaking When Braking Or At High Speeds
Vehicles should run smoothly literally. When they begin to perform differently, its a sign of a malfunction or age. If youve noticed your car shakes when braking, there could be an array of issues that are causing this to happen. Never ignore the symptoms and consider the below causes of your vehicle shuddering especially when at high speeds.
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Car Shakes When I Brake At High Speeds
Car shakes when I brake at high speeds
So youre going for a joy ride and suddenly your car shakes when you hit the brakes. You are wondering, why the car shakes when I brake at high speeds? If your car shakes when you brake at a high speed, or just when you drive at a high speed in general, it usually means that your car alignment is off. Although car services offer to check the entire car alignment for you, the process is made much faster and cheaper if you actually know the specific component that is causing the problem.
Specific aspects to car alignment
Your tires are the four points at which your car touches the ground. Needless to say, a problem with a tire will upset the balance of the car, possibly causing the car to shake at high speeds. Check your tires for the correct balance, weight, wear and tear, and broken belts before you start look at the other places of your car.
If there is a problem with your tire and the problem is fixed by simply replacing the tire, youre in luck there is probably nothing else wrong with your car. However, if the problem persists even after replacing the tire, there may be a chance that a wrong alignment is the source of the problem and it is the reason your tires may be damaged.
Problems with brake pads
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Common Causes For A Shaky Steering Wheel
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No driver likes it when their steering wheel starts shaking. This is a sure sign that theres something going wrong with your vehicle, and it can also make driving unnecessarily stressful and scary. If the road is smooth and your ride still feels jerky, theres nothing to blame except for the vehicle itself. Waiting for the problem to take care of itself will only make things worse, so we strongly suggest that you take action as soon as possible when you notice that your steering wheel is shaking.
There are multiple potential causes for a shaking steering wheel, and some of them may even surprise you. Depending on how your car is shaking, it may provide clues that can help a car repair professional resolve the issue. Once you notice the problem, take note of when it gets worse. For example, is it worse at high speeds or low speeds? Is it worse when youre braking? All of this information can help a mechanic determine the cause of your shaky steering wheel.
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Reason #: Why Your Steering Wheel Shakes At High Speeds
Another component of your brake system that may contribute to steering wheel shakes is the brake caliper. Similar to a clamp, your calipers house the brake pads, brake pistons and brake fluid. Theyre crucial for creating friction that slows down your brake rotors or discs. If the caliper sticks, it can cause vibration or shaking when you approach 40 or more miles per hour. It can get worse the faster you go, and you may also smell a strange odor. Like your rotors, you should check your calipers every 12,000 miles.
Another reason your steering wheel may shake at high speeds could be your tires. This is actually one of the most common reasons for steering wheel shakes, and it usually means the tires are either out of balance or out of alignment. If this is the case, you might notice shaking at 50 to 60 miles per hour. If you want to confirm that tires are the culprit yourself, check the tread lines to see if theyre uneven, or try to determine if youve done anything that could cause a misalignment . Even if you do look at your tires yourself, its a good idea to get your tires checked out and/or replaced at an auto repair or tire shop, as it might be time for a tire alignment or balance at the very least.
Out Of Balance Brake Rotors
The brake rotors could be out of balance if you feel a shaking sensation when you apply the brakes. Another suggestion of out-out-balance brake rotors could be a shaking motion while youre driving without braking, but youll typically feel vibrations coming from the brake pedal, too.
Alternatively, the brake caliper could be sticking, which causes car shakes. Youll experience vibrations in the steering wheel at speeds of around 65 km/h and continue to increase the faster you go. If brake calipers are the issue, you may also encounter a bad smell, which will cause you to bring the vehicle to a halt.
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What Causes Vibration When Braking At High Speeds
Brake shudder is a vibration that is felt through the steering wheel, brake pedal, and suspension when the brakes are applied at high speeds. Brake shudder can be caused by a number of things including damaged rotors, malfunctioning calipers, or new brake pads that have not been properly broken in after replacement.
Reasons Why Your Car Shakes When Braking A Brief Guide
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As car owners, we all have observed car shakes when braking and it is something that we usually dont give much attention to. However, it is something that you need to be concerned about since anything about a car braking system that can be an issue is a serious safety concern that you cant simply ignore.
There can be a number of issues that are causing your car to get shakes when the brakes are applied. To correctly identify the reason behind the shaking of your car you first need to analyze the symptoms that your car is showing and then to call a certified vehicle mechanic that can inspect the underlying problem professionally to resolve the issue of the car shaking upon braking.
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Car Shakes At High Speeds When Braking
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You seem to be aware that you’re due for a new set though, so that’s the first hurdle covered.shell out for a big break kit
Braking Rotors Causing The Vibration
If you feel the shaking or vibration in your steering wheel and your brake pedal, it could be your rotors. The rotors get pressed by the brake pad to help slow your vehicle down, and if the rotors are out of balance, this could be causing the vibrating tremors that you feel in the pedal and steering wheel. Having the system checked by a technician to be sure that its the rotors so they can provide the necessary solution.
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Car Shakes When Braking: Warped Rotors Or Alignment
I have an 07 Chevy Impala and I’m trying to pinpoint the shaking that occurs when braking. Only shakes when braking slowly on highway. The whole car does shake pretty badly. I just put in a new set of tires also so it can’t be that. Rotors or alignment?
- Bob Jarvis – Reinstate MonicaMar 23 ’17 at 15:26
- Did you use a torque wrench when you put on the new tires? If the lugs were cranked on too tightly this can easily have been the cause.
There are a number of possibilities here, including:
Although you have just put on new tires, there is still a possibility that they weren’t properly balanced or that they were, but a wheel weight has come off since then. Since most vibration issues stem from tire and wheel imbalance, check the first three on the above list first.
Because the problem only happens under braking at highway speeds , suspension parts are another good thing to check. Worn or missing bushings, failing ball joints, etc. can all cause annoying vibrations. Do a good visual inspection of the suspension, especially in the front.
Steering rack problems and wheel bearing failures usually make noises in addition to vibration, and they’re both relatively easy to check.
Finally, warped rotors and alignment problems can cause this, but are, in my opinion, much less likely to be the culprit here. If you have the equipment, it’s not hard to check the runout on the rotors and determine if they’re warped or not.
