Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake?

Schedule Brake Service

As a driver, you’ve got a pretty solid connection to your vehicle, and you can pretty much tell when there’s something wrong by how your vehicle acts when out on the road. A common issue is a shaking car, which is really noticeable when you’re applying brake pressure. There are a few reasons behind these car shaking symptoms that aren’t always a brake replacement. At Group 1 Toyota West Bank, we’re here to help drivers in Harvey, New Orleans, and Metairie figure out the cause to why their car is shaking. Be sure to contact us today with any questions that pop up!

Car Shaking Symptoms

There are a few reasons that your car could be shaking. Worn tires are generally the leading cause of a vibrating vehicular performance. However, when the car shaking directly corresponds with you pressing the brake pedal, the signs venture into brake replacement symptoms. Since your braking system is comprised of several components, you may need to narrow it down to figure out which specific braking component is the cause of your shaking car. All of these parts work together to slow or stop your vehicle, and if one component is worn, cracked, or simply broken, the whole system can be out of whack and require a break replacement.

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 it’s the rotors so they can provide the necessary solution.

Brake Pad Replacement Signs

Another common cause to your shaking car is that you’ve got worn brake pads. This is actually fairly common, because brake pads are supposed to wear down and get replaced when they’ve worn down until there’s only ¼ of it left. The vibration that you’re feeling could be the brake pad’s wear indicator, which emits a high pitch squeal for when it’s time to replace it. This metal tab on the pad could cause some light vibration when pressing the brakes.

The Shaking is Your Brake Calipers Sticking

The brake calipers are responsible for pressing the brake pad against the rotor, which is caused by brake fluid pumping through the lines when you press the pedal. The fluid creates hydraulic pressure which forces the caliper to press the pads. If you feel the vibration only in the steering wheel, it could be the calipers sticking and failing to press the pads against the rotors.

Have Your Braking System Checked

In order to correctly determine which of the car shaking symptoms is accurate, you’ll want certified technicians to carefully inspect the system to determine what is causing your vehicle to shake while you’re out on the road. They’ll determine if it’s the brake rotors or if your vehicle needs a brake pad replacement, so you can resume your journey with a smooth and stable ride.

If you’re in need of a brake replacement or adjustment, you can always schedule service at Group 1 Toyota West Bank for help. We’re here to make sure drivers in Harvey, New Orleans, and Metairie have a functioning braking system for the road ahead!