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- Symptoms Without Summary
- Car Leaking Coolant
- AC Isn't Cooling
- AC Blowing Hot Air
- Shaking While Driving
- Overheating AC
- AC Smells Like Vinegar
- Heater Not Working
- Windshield Wipers Don't Work
- Car Leaking Water
- Car Leaking Red Fluid
- Car Battery Leaking
- AC Only Work Sometimes
- Shaking While Idle
- Shaking At High Speeds
- Evap System Leak
- Shaking While Braking At High Speeds
- Shaking When Stopped
- Shaking When Accelerating
- Radiator Leaking
- Pink Fluid Leaking
- Car Leaking Oil
- AC Not Working.
- Car Leaking Gas
- Power Steering Fluid Leak
- Bad Brake Caliper
Hey, Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake?
If you are short on time and want to fast-track the process to professional help, click Yes
Is Your Car Shaking When You Brake?
Your car is shaking while braking because of wheel-related issues, warped brake components, or faulty steering components like the control arm bushings and the steering knuckle. For wheels, is probably worn tires or faulty bearings, and for brakes, the rotor might be the culprit.
Safe driving depends on staying in control, slowing down, and stopping confidently. So naturally, feeling your car shaking when braking is troubling. The shaking indicates a problem with your vehicle that will worsen as the vibration continues.
Since braking systems relate to the wheels, shaking can result from disturbances in the tire or wheels' ability to roll smoothly, which may come from the axles, the bearings, the tires, or even the brakes themselves.
A car shaking while braking needs a good inspection. However, paying attention to your speed and the intensity of your braking when you apply the brakes offers a clue into what is causing this trouble. In addition, the shaking will often worsen over time and cause more damage to your vehicle's braking system.
Let's Get To The Bottom Of It!
- You may hear a louder noise the faster you go, or your entire vehicle may shake if you brake hard...read more
You may hear a louder noise the faster you go, or your entire vehicle may shake if you brake hard.
If your vehicle is out of alignment, it will wear on the tires and cause them to become unbalanced. Unbalanced tires are easier to notice at high speeds and may not cause roughness during slower driving. However, you will feel a shaking in your brakes while driving at high speeds due to having unbalanced tires.
- You may also feel shaking in the seat, floorboard, and steering wheel. Your brake rotor i...read more
You may also feel shaking in the seat, floorboard, and steering wheel.
Your brake rotor is attached to the hub behind the wheel. With excessive braking, the rotor overheats and warps. When the rotor bends, the brake pads move back against it whenever you brake and push on the caliper piston and brake fluid. When this happens, you will feel shaking from the wheel into the brake pedal.
- You may also notice a shaking in the brake pedal, floorboard, or steering wheel. The vibration mi...read more
You may also notice a shaking in the brake pedal, floorboard, or steering wheel. The vibration might let up when you stop braking as well.
This is because the control arm holds the wheel and tire upright, fixed at the proper angle. When the bushings around this flexible joint wear, your control arm will get pushed out of position when you brake hard. This makes the tires change their angle, and being out of place causes vibrations in your vehicle.
- You may notice that the shaking stops when you stop applying the brakes. The wheel bearin...read more
You may notice that the shaking stops when you stop applying the brakes.
The wheel bearings are designed to follow the steering knuckle as you maneuver to keep your wheel locked in a straight position. If these bearings develop wear, they loosen, and your tires may lean in. Applying the brake pressure to these leaning tires straightens them again, causing you to feel a shake during this adjustment.
- Your vehicle might shake if you apply the brakes hard too. The steering knuckle connects ...read more
Your vehicle might shake if you apply the brakes hard too.
The steering knuckle connects the steering control arms to the wheel bearing with a ball joint. It can be damaged in car accidents, which causes the angle of your axis to change. If one side of your vehicle is at the wrong angle, you will feel the steering wheel shake when you apply the brakes lightly.
- You may also feel shaking in the seat, floorboard, and steering wheel. The drive axle con...read more
You may also feel shaking in the seat, floorboard, and steering wheel.
The drive axle consists of two CV (constant velocity) joints attached by the axle shaft. When the axle becomes damaged due to road impact or collision, the axle can become out of balance, which leads to wear and increased movement in these joints. When this gets accentuated, the axle starts to shake, causing the grease to sling out of the CV boots and for the vehicle to shake when you apply the brakes.
Find Professional Help
Please select your vehicle's brand and location so we can locate the best professional help for youVehicle Health Inspection Proof
Explore the following typical inspection results that show a potential cause for the symptom and select the one you believe is similar to your vehicle's issue.
Severely worn tire
Damaged drive axle
Control arm bushings are bad
Warped brake rotor
Bad wheel bearing
Damaged steering knuckles
The proof image shows a severely worn tire caused by bad front-end alignment.
A customer dropped off their vehicle after they noticed a slight shaking when they drove at freeway speeds, which got much more severe when they applied the brakes. The customer was concerned that their brake rotors might be warped, even though they hadn't driven harshly.
During the test drive, the technician noted that the steering wheel was not off-center when driving straight and that the vehicle had a pull to the left. The technician also verified that the car had a slight vibration at freeway speeds and that the shake or vibration got worse when applying the brakes.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician noted that both front tires had extreme wear on the inside edge across the tire. In addition, the left tire was bald on the inside and unsafe to drive.
Both front tires must be replaced with new ones before the vehicle can be safely driven. In addition, the technician recommended a steering and suspension inspection and an alignment to prevent damaging the new tires.
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The proof image shows the grease slinging from the CV boot due to a bent and damaged CV axle.
A customer dropped off their vehicle after it started shaking when braking hard. They had to suddenly stop after leaving the freeway and approaching a stop light when the issue occurred. They pulled over to a safe area and checked to see if their tires were flat, but they looked full. The customer recalled that they hit something that looked like a toolbox on the freeway about a week ago.
On the test drive, the technician noted a vibration from the left side during a quick stop under hard acceleration. However, the technician stated no other issues related to customers' concerns.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician found that the left outboard CV boot was starting to sling grease between the clamp in the housing. No other issues were found related to customers' concerns.
The technician had someone be in the driver's seat while the vehicle was lifted. The person started the car up and increased RPMs with the vehicle in gear. The technician observed that the left front axle was out of balance, wobbling and causing the vehicle to shake. The left-front axle assembly needs replacement.
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The proof image shows a torn bushing on the lower control arm that's loose, allowing the control arm to move back and forth during braking. Consequently, the steering wheel shakes.
A customer dropped off their vehicle after noticing it shook when they applied the brakes reasonably hard. They heard a clunking sound when tapping the brakes while backing out of their driveway, so they thought the brakes got loose.
On the test drive, the technician noted that they could hear the clunking noise while idling through the parking lot and tapping the brakes. They had another technician looking through the wheel when this happened, and they noted that the whole wheel was moving back and forth.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician found that both inner lower control arm bushings were torn, allowing wheel movement.
The technician recommended replacing the lower control arm bushings on both front lower control arms and performing an alignment.
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The proof image verifies warped brake rotors. The mechanic used a dial indicator (right red arrow) to check runout values. This can affect more brake components like the brake calipers.
A customer dropped off their car after a trip to the mountains, where they drove on snowy and muddy roads. Their concern was that after they returned, they noticed a shaking in their vehicle when they applied the brakes, especially at 60 to 80 mph. They said it almost felt like the pedal was moving up and down.
The customer didn't know if it was okay to drive with the brakes grinding. On the test drive, the technician felt a vibration in the brake pedal when lightly pressing it. Then, extreme shaking developed as they applied the brakes more.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician did not notice anything about the customer's concerns. So, the customer approved additional tests. The technician had a suspicion of brake rotor issues and began investigating.
The technician investigated the vibration by securing the rotor to the hub and checking the rotor runout with a dial indicator. Manufacturer specification allows for .005 inches of runout. The right front rotor had .025 inches of runout, and the left front rotor had .019 inches of runout. The rear rotors each had less than .004 inches of runout.
The front brake pads were 9 mm, and the rear brake pads were 7 mm. This means worn brake pads, and it's just as impactful in Japanese cars as it is in American or any other vehicle.
The technician recommended turning the front rotors, as there was .040 of an inch remaining before they reached minimum specifications. Note that this type of issue can also pop up on trucks. So, ensure you have a certified truck mechanic to deal with it.
4/6
The proof image shows how loose the wheel bearing is. Unfortunately, the looseness is so much that it's causing the brake rotor to contact the caliper bracket. Naturally, the car shakes.
A customer dropped off their vehicle, citing concerns that it shook when they applied the brakes while driving slowly. They noticed that this shaking did not occur while braking at highway speeds. The customer also noted that the left wheel made a slight noise when they made a right-hand turn.
On the test drive, the technician verified the growling noise from the left wheel during a right-hand turn. They did not notice any other issues related to customers' concerns.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician noted that the left-front wheel bearing was extraordinarily loose and was rubbing on the brake caliper saddle.
Upon disassembly, the technician found little to no damage on the brake pads or rotor. However, the wheel bearing was severely damaged. Due to the severity of the failure of the wheel bearing, the technician recommended replacing the bearing and hub as well.
5/6
The proof image shows the broken bolts stuck in the steering knuckle. Naturally, the car vibrates.
A customer dropped off their vehicle because they noticed it started to shake when slightly braking at highway speeds. They said that the car didn't shake when they braked harder. They informed the technician that they had recently hit a tree stump with their front-left tire while traveling.
On the test drive, the technician noted they could feel the shake at highway speeds when lightly applying the brakes. They also stated they heard a clunk noise when turning to the left slowly.
During the vehicle health inspection, the technician found that two bolts had broken off where the left lower ball joint was bolted to the steering knuckle, while the other two bolts were bent.
The customer authorized the technician to disassemble the left front steering knuckle to verify the extent of damage and the number of repairs that would be needed.
The technician removed the wheel and unbolted the lower ball joint with the two remaining bolts. Unfortunately, the two bolts that were broken off in the steering knuckle had been seized in the knuckle. As a result, the knuckle and a lower ball joint bent on the flange will need to be replaced.
6/6Typical Fixes to Address the Cause(s)
The following chapters bases themselves on experiences from our auto repair shop; we'll describe related problems' causes and fixes.
The AutoTechIQ ranking for Safety, Cost Avoidance, and Environmental Impact is
Vehicle Symptoms
Below are just a few examples of typical Symptoms and Fixes your car might be experiencing
Other things your auto repair shop might talk about:
Disc brakes. Replacing brake pads. Damaged axle shaft. Loose control arm. Drum brakes. brake shoes. hydraulic pressure