As the owner of a vehicle, you will be aware of many things about it. But if something is not right with your car, you may not know what caused it. One of the common problems you may encounter is when the car starts braking. If your vehicle experiences shaking there are some methods you can use to get rid of it. The car shakes when braking can make you feel nervous when you are driving. The vibrations in the vehicle and steering can be jarring and it can be difficult when you are braking. Here you can know how to manage car shakes when braking issue with the help of the points below.
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Why is the car shaking when I break?
It can be annoying to experience car shakes when braking issue. If the shaking occurs when you are braking it may be a serious issue. Particularly if this issue happens in cars with front or all-wheel disc brakes you can wonder why car shaking when I brake. Here are some of the reasons why car shakes when braking.
1. Issues in the brake rotor
The brake rotors are large metal disks that are attached to the vehicle’s wheel hub assemblyor axle. They are present at the two brake pads. You can find these pads squeezed against the rotor to slow and stop the car with the brake caliper. This is the caliper that uses hydraulic fluid pressure found in the master cylinder and is activated by the brake pedal. If the brake rotors become warped then you may experience dreaded vibration when you brake. You can consider having your brakes checked with the car mechanic if you face the “car shaking when I brake” problem.
2. Worn brake pads
The brake pads can become worn out over time. You cannot avoid this circumstance. The rotor and the pads can wear out and you will feel the vibrations and the car shakes when braking. If the car vibrates when you apply the brakes you can hear a squealing sound. This is the time to get the brakes serviced.
3. Brake calipers sticking
The brake calipers are responsible for pushing the brake pads on the rotors. If you hit the brake then the hydraulic brake fluid gets filled inside the chambers of caliper. This forces the caliper piston outward on the rotor and slows it down. So the harder you brake the more the fluid pressure builds in the calipers. Also, more pressure will be applied to the brake pads and rotors.
If the caliper and caliper pistons get stuck it cannot properly squeeze the brake pads against the rotors. It can cause you to feel the vibrations when you are hitting the brakes. The calipers can also get stuck when it is working so it will not allow the brake pad to use the rotor.
If you notice the brake caliper sticking you can experience a few signs. Your brake pedal can become less responsive and you may also experience acceleration difficulty. Or your car may also pull to one side. You can start to get different sounds as the car shakes when braking. There will also be a smell emanating from the hot pads and rotors as these are squeezed together for a long time.
4. Dry guide pins
The dry guide pins can be an issue if you experience car shaking when I break. The steering wheel can start to shake when you stop the car. The guide pins function as part of the brake calipers which are responsible for guiding the brake pad to the rotor. So to work properly the pins must be clean and lubricated. If they become corroded or dry it can cause the brake pads to push down on the rotor at the caliper to stick.
5. Unbalanced tires
Another reason for car shakes when braking is the unbalanced tires. If the tires are under-inflated or unbalanced it can lead to the vehicle’s suspension system to work harder. It can also make the steering wheel to start shaking which can be difficult when you are trying to steer the vehicle.
6. Bent wheel rims
The wheel rims can make your car drift when you are driving. If you are driving on roads with lots of potholes often it can lead to bent wheel rims. So if you are driving at high speeds you may experience the issue of car shakes when braking over time. If you increase your speed you can also find the vibrations getting more and more noticeable. This is because bent wheel rims can affect a vehicle’s steering wheel. That is why it is important to get the rims repaired before they cause additional damage.
7. Suspension problems
If you find the car shaking when I break you can be experiencing some issues with the suspension. The small rocks and potholes can start to affect the car’s axle and it can damage the vehicle’s suspension. The suspension issues can also be at play if your vehicle starts to shake when you are trying to stop it. Another function affected by axle damage is the constant velocity (CV) joint that is connected to the vehicle’s axle. Rubber boots are protecting the CV joint and if they become damaged by holes or debris your car shakes when braking.
8. Problems with alignment
You can experience alignment problems if you use brakes at a speed higher than 50 miles per hour. You will find the vehicle shuddering at that time. For testing the theory you can check the car by driving 50 to 55 mph when there are no vehicles around you. You can take the hands off the steering wheels for a few seconds and check if the car veers slightly to the left or right. If the vehicle does not have alignment issues it must travel in a straight line. But if it drifts slightly in the other directions your vehicle needs attention. You have to resolve this issue quickly.
9. Power steering issues
There are many parts involved in the car’s power steering system. It has to be in the best condition for smooth driving. If you have to exert more force in turning the steering wheel and notice the shaking sensation, it shows that there is an issue with the power steering. There may also be some problems with the brakes. So it is important to take care of this issue soon.
Important Faqs
Question: Why car shaking when I brake?
If the car shakes when braking it can happen because of many reasons. There may be problems like ‘Warped’ rotors, a stuck brake caliper, tire issues, tire balance and more. The suspension problems will cause you to experience vibrations in the steering wheel. You have to resolve the issue as soon as possible before it gets serious.
Question: Why my car idles rough when braking?
Many brake symptoms can happen when you try to bring your car to a stop. But if the car starts to vibrate when it is idle the problem may be because of the power brake booster assembly. You will feel the vibration when your foot is on the brake, the engine is working and your vehicle is not in motion.
Question: Why car vibrates when I let off the gas?
If your vehicle vibrates when you let off the gas it can happen because of many problems. This issue cannot be ignored. You have to take your car to a mechanic soon.
Conclusion
If you are wondering why a car shakes when braking you can try to find the cause of the problem with the help given here. It is important to pay attention to the problem as soon as you notice it.
Also read: What Happens if Your Catalytic Converter is Stolen?
