Why Does My Car Shake When Braking?

When you’re out and about in Orange, MA and you feel your car quivering through the steering wheel or the brake pedal, then you might be concerned about what’s going on. So why does your car shake when you are braking? There are several explanations though the service center at Sonia’s CDJR will go over the most common ones below! 

Brake Service/Attention is Needed 

1. You're Braking Too Hard

Sometimes it's impossible to avoid slamming on the brakes, but hard braking shouldn't be common. If you're hearing your brakes make a squeaking noise while driving, the first thing you should do is go for a simple, familiar drive, roll your windows down, and listen for the squeak if you brake softly and bring the vehicle to a slow stop. 

2. Your Rotors Are Rusty

Even if your rotors aren't damaged to the point of repair, they can still show some wear and tear. Typically, that's in the form of rust, although there can also be other debris that sticks to your rotors. When your brakes are squeaking while driving around the area, it could be the brake pad clamping down and scraping that rust or debris against the rotor. This is a problem that can easily be fixed and rarely requires new rotors.

3. You Need New Brake Pads

Brake pads need to be replaced every 40,000 miles or so, on average, but materials and driving habits can impact how long they last. While you don't have a brake pad gauge on your dash or an easy way to see how thin they are without getting down and staring at your wheels, modern brake pads are built with a wear indicator. In most cases, this is a metal strip that squeaks or squeals when it makes contact with your rotor. This way, you'll know if you need new brake pads even if you're at 20,000 or 30,000 miles.

Tire Service is Needed 

Another possible reason your car trembles when braking could be your tires. If your tires are out of alignment or just a bit old, your suspension has to work extra hard to keep everything balanced. Hitting a pothole or curb could alter your alignment. You can feel this struggle in your steering wheel.

Tire alignment is usually checked during a routine tire rotation, which should be performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Check your owner’s manual for optimal tire service intervals.

Steering & Suspension Issues 

If there is an issue with your steering or suspension systems, chances are you will feel shaking not only when braking, but during regular driving as well. Yet there are cases when a damaged part, such as an axle shaft, can cause an issue specifically when coming to a stop. 

When you have your vehicle in for oil changes or tire rotations, it’s smart to request a general vehicle inspection as well. During the inspection all of your vehicle’s vital systems, including steering and suspension, will be checked. If there’s an issue, your service tech can let you know so you can act proactively.

How to Fix a Wobbling Car

Because there are so many different reasons why your car may be wobbling, it’s important to have your vehicle checked by a professional mechanic to find the exact problem. Your brakes, especially, are not something to mess with, so if you suspect an issue, you should schedule service with Sonia’s CDJR right away. 

Learn More from Sonia’s CDJR 

Whether you have more questions about your car shaking or other car services, feel free to get in touch with us today! Our team has years of experience, so they’ll be able to help you out no matter what the issue is. While you’re here, be sure to check out our current service specials before your next appointment!