Have you felt that your car shakes every time you apply brakes, even on a smooth road?
Though many things can cause the car shakes when applying brakes but if your answer is “yes”, then something is not working as it should and you need to find out the possible reasons & solutions before something bad happens.
To help you get started, here are some of the common reasons why cars shake when applying brakes.
1. Damaged rotor
The most common cause for car shaking is a warped or damaged rotor; maybe due to normal wear-and-tear or due to excessive/repeated use of the brake pedal when it wasn’t really needed.
In simple tech-term, the repeated use of brakes creates friction between brake pad and the rotor; which reduces its legitimate lifespan. Because when there is excessive friction on the rotor for a long period of time, a lot of rotor material wears off, resulting in permanent damage.
Interestingly, rotor damage can also occur when the vehicle is not driven for a long time, causing the rotor to corrode.
The “only” possible solution is to replace the damaged rotor.
Tip: It is important to cool down your car when you’re driving for long hours on the freeway. Don’t ignore this tip, ever.
2. Unevenly worn out drum brakes
Some cars still have drum brakes on the rear wheel. When you press the brake pedal, it creates friction by forcing brake shoes outwards against the brake drum. This may sometimes result in uneven wear out of the drum brakes, causing the car shakes every time you apply brakes.
Again, the only possible solution is to replace the worn-out drum brakes.
3. Loose wheel bearings
Behind each of your car’s wheels, there is a wheel bearing which allows a wheel hub. Wheel hub acts as the mounting point for the tire and wheel to move as the vehicle is moving down the road.
A loose wheel bearing can result in excessive lateral wear since the wheel hub also acts as a mounting spot for the disk brake. This may cause your car shakes when you apply brakes.
The possible solution is to fix the loose wheel bearings.
4. Out of round tires
The problem mostly occurs to motorists who drive over bumping or potholes. The wobbling problem may be caused by the tires or wheels being out of balance. If the tire or the wheel is not completely round, your car will start to shake every time you apply brakes. A possible solution to this include:
- Balancing your tires if the vehicle only vibrates at specific
- Replacing the tires if they are
- Avoiding potholes and rough
5. Worn out brake pads
Brake-pads wear out naturally over time. On average, brake pads are designed to last for about 50,000 miles. However, your driving style and road condition also affect brake pads longevity.
Sharp stabs, hard stops, faulty brake calipers, presence of air in the hydraulic brake lines, poorly maintained left-foot braking, or leaving your car sitting idle for more than a year; hugely affects “health of your brake pads”.
If your brake pads wear out unevenly, your car and steering wheel wobble every time you apply brakes.
The possible solution is to replace brake pads.
Conclusion
Car shaking is not only annoying but it is also dangerous. If you notice that your car shakes, it is advised that you consult professional auto body shops in Idaho for inspection and repair.
Ignoring the problem for a long period of time not only puts your life at risks but also of your co-passengers. Though, figuring out the exact problem and applying the solution yourself is quite challenging, when you lack the necessary skills and tools.
The best way to get “car shaking” issues fixed is only through professionals.
