If you are driving and your car is shaking or vibrating when the brakes are applied, it can raise some concerns. Not only does this make for an unpleasant ride for yourself and any passengers, but it could also be a sign of something more serious with your vehicle’s braking system.
It is important to take care of this issue as quickly as possible in order to keep everyone on the roadway safe and stop any further harm from occurring.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the common causes of car shaking when braking and how to diagnose and fix the problem.
Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake?
Your car shaking while braking may have a few potential causes. Worn brake pads and rotors, loose or compromised calipers, tires or wheels that are not balanced correctly, or misaligned suspension can all contribute to the issue. There could also be a problem with a broken brake hose, an inappropriate fluid level in the brake system, as well as difficulties with the brake master cylinder.
When your car is shaking while you apply the brakes, it could be a symptom of an underlying problem with either the braking system or part(s) related to it.
The following are some possibilities that may need to be taken into account before determining a definitive cause:
1. Worn Brake Pads or Rotors
One of the most common causes of car shaking when braking is worn brake pads or rotors. Brake pads have a pivotal role in the suspension system as they must endure contact with the rotors so that braking can occur.
If these components become dilapidated from time to time, they may not be able to generate sufficient traction which causes disruptions while coming to a stop.
Similarly, It is not uncommon for rotors to experience wear over time, diminishing the smoothness of the surface which interacts with brake pads.
When this occurs, braking at greater velocities may result in shaky or vibrating driving experiences. To remedy this, brand-new brake pads and rotors must be installed.
2. Unbalanced Tires
If your wheels or tires have an unequal weight distribution, it can result in a vibration or shaking sensation when applying the brakes.
This feeling may be due to uneven wear on the tires, or harm inflicted upon the rims. When some of your rubber is off balance and not symmetrical in terms of weight, it can throw off your braking as imbalanced force produces a shuddering sensation.
To fix this problem try doing regular balancing and rotating processes to improve tire equilibrium levels
3. Loose or Damaged Brake Calipers
The brake calipers are an integral element of the braking mechanism, tasked with compressing the pads to the rotors. If these components become loose or break down, it can cause a shaking or wobbling sensation when you apply your brakes.
This malfunction can be attributed to either natural wear and tear as time passes by or damage from any kind of vehicular collision.
To remedy this issue, you ought to either mend it back in place using appropriate tools and pieces; otherwise, just go ahead and get it changed for new ones altogether!
4. Misaligned Suspension
The suspension system in a vehicle is its key element when it comes to providing a hassle-free and comfy journey, as this component will absorb any of the bumps or unevenness on the road.
It unfortunately can become misaligned which may lead to shaking and vibration when you brake. This can typically be due to components being worn down from use, but an accident could also have resulted in such alteration requiring repair work.
Aligning your suspension correctly should resolve these issues.
5.Bent Wheel Rims
It’s not uncommon for car owners to think their cars’ shaking is due to worn tires or misaligned wheels—however, one of the main reasons your car shakes when braking is bent wheel rims. If you drive through potholes regularly, this could damage your wheel rims, and you might end up having bent wheel rims.
You might feel some light vibrations from your car’s wheels when driving at high speeds. The vibrations can become more severe as you speed up, and you might notice that, in turn, your steering wheel becomes harder to control as a result.
Vibrations can quickly get too intense to handle because of bent rims, so it’s important to have them changed before they cause further damage to the rest of your vehicle.
6. Loose or Damaged Brake Hose
One of the reasons why a vehicle may be shaking when braking is that the brake hose has become loose or damaged.
This component is responsible for carrying brake fluid from your foot pedal to the calipers so they can activate the brakes and if it’s not functioning properly, you will notice vibrating and trembling when braking.
To fix this issue, you’ll need to repair or change out your current brake hose.
7. Incorrect Brake Fluid Level
If your vehicle’s brake fluid level is inadequate, this can give rise to shaking or vibration when braking. Brake fluid is necessary for the proper functioning of the brakes, allowing for connection between the brake pads and rotors so as to reduce speed.
If levels are too low it can lead to a lack of pressure building in the system resulting in unusual vibrations or shakes while you press on them. To remedy this issue you’ll have to examine and supplement needed brake fluid if need be.
Also Read: P0300 – Meaning, Causes, and Symptoms & Fixes
How To Fix a Car Shaking When Braking Problem
If your car is shaking when braking, there are several potential solutions that can help resolve the issue. Here are some options to consider:
1. Replacing Worn Brake Pads and Rotors
If the brakes on your vehicle have suffered damage or wear and tear, you may start to feel it shuddering when coming to a stop. To remedy this issue a replacement of both brake pads and rotors is necessary.
The job can easily be accomplished with the proper instructions, but for best results, it is wise to get an experienced mechanic involved who can ensure that everything was properly installed again.
As part of the process, they will take off the old items and affix new ones exactly as required by the specifications of your car’s make/model. It’s important to change out both the brake pads and rotors simultaneously so that they can work together in an effective manner.
2. Repairing or Replacing Damaged Brake Calipers
If your brake calipers are cracked or otherwise compromised, it could be the source of a shaking feeling when you hit the brakes. In order to rectify this issue, repair or replacement of the calipers is necessary and should always be done by a qualified mechanic.
The brake calipers play an important role in slowing down your car – they squeeze against the rotors with two pads to bring things to a stop.
If these pieces have been damaged in some way then they might not provide adequate hold, causing vibrations when you come off of the gas pedal.
Upon inspection by an experienced mechanic, whatever needs doing – repairing or replacing them completely- will be carried out efficiently and properly so as not to further exacerbate any issues that may arise due to this kind of damage over time.
3. Balancing and Rotating Tires
If your tires are out of balance or show signs of uneven wear, you may experience a shaking sensation when braking in your car. In order to remedy this issue, both balancing and rotating the tires are necessary.
The process itself is relatively simple and can be carried out by either an auto mechanic shop as well as at home with appropriate tools.
Balancing entails attaching weights to the rim so that each tire has equal weight distribution while rotating involves switching up the position of each tire on the car which helps evenly spread around any existing wear and tear throughout all four wheels.
4. Adjusting Suspension Alignment
If your suspension is misaligned, it can be the contributing force to a shaking experience when braking. To rectify this issue, you’ll have to adjust the suspension’s angle in relation to the car body.
This might require expert attention as it’s not something easily handled by an inexperienced person; they will use suitable tools and devices that guarantee accurate angles in the alignment of your wheels.
Doing so should help stabilize and enhance handling; also decrease wear and tear on tires at once.
Here’s a video to show you what you have to do to fix car shakes when braking issues.
Also Read: Transmission Fluid Colors & What They Mean
Frequently Asked Questions
What could be causing my car to shake when I brake?
There are several potential causes for a car to shake when braking, including:
- Warped brake rotors
- Loose wheel bearings
- Worn-out brake pads or shoes
- The uneven tire tread or improperly balanced tires
- Malfunctioning suspension components
Can driving with a car that shakes when braking be dangerous?
Yes, Having a car that vibrates while braking could put you and your passengers in harm’s way. In some cases, this may be an indication of a brake-related problem which could create an inability to properly stop the vehicle, raising the possibility of accidents. To guarantee secure travel for all occupants of your car it is necessary to address any shaking or rattling issues promptly.
How much does it typically cost to fix a car that shakes when braking?
Whenever a car is shaking when braking, the cost to fix it can vary per the source of the problem. Warped rotors and worn brake pads tend to be quite economical repairs while defective suspension pieces or unstable wheel bearings are typically more expensive. To pinpoint exactly how much it may cost for this type of repair, consulting with an auto mechanic is advised in order to receive an accurate assessment price.
Conclusion
To sum up, cars shaking when the brakes are engaged is a common issue with multiple potential causes. Those can include worn brake pads and rotors, loose or broken calipers, unbalanced wheels, and tires or misaligned suspension.
It is important to identify the exact cause of the difficulty so you know which remedy to use — this might entail doing a visual inspection as well as rotating and balancing tires in addition to rectifying any suspension alignment issues.
If the issue at hand is not addressed in a timely manner, it can result in further harm and enhance the chances of unfortunate events.
Knowing the basic causes and remedies for when a car shakes when braking gives you an opportunity to guarantee that your vehicle remains safe and dependable.