Having your car shake when you hit the brakes can be scary. The shaking feels like your whole car is rattling and vibrating. It can feel like you have no control over your car when this happens.
There are a few reasons why your car may shake when braking at high speeds.
I outline the reasons why your car is shaking and pulling to the right as well as how to address the problem.
Here’s why your car shakes while braking at high speeds:
1. Warped brake rotors
Warped brake rotors affect the braking performance of a car, leading to shaking or vibration during braking, especially at higher speeds.
Rotors are the discs that the brake pads clamp onto to slow down or stop the car. When the rotors become warped, it creates an uneven surface that disrupts the smooth contact between the brake pads and the rotors.
This means that warping results in high spots and low spots on the rotor surface. When the brake pads encounter these irregularities, it causes inconsistent friction.
As a result, the braking force is not uniformly applied, leading to vibrations felt through the steering wheel or the entire car.
Also, continuous braking, especially during high-speed driving or sudden braking, generates significant heat. This heat can cause the metal in the rotor to expand unevenly, further increasing the warping issue.
Signs of warped brake rotors
- Vibration or shaking especially felt through the steering wheel or the entire car when applying brakes, especially at higher speeds.
- A pulsating or vibrating sensation is felt through the brake pedal while braking.
- Squealing or squeaking noises while braking.
Solution
Addressing issues with brake rotors involves brake inspection by a qualified mechanic to confirm the issue.
Depending on the extent of the warping, the rotors might need machining (resurfacing) to regain a flat surface. In more severe cases or if the rotors are too thin, replacement might be necessary.
Often, the replacement of the brake pads is required when dealing with warped rotors to ensure even contact and optimal braking performance.
After rotor machining or replacement, it’s important to follow a proper break-in procedure recommended by the manufacturer to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the new parts.
To prevent rotor warping from happening, regular maintenance and being mindful of driving habits, such as avoiding sudden or excessive braking.
Related: Why is my car shaking and not accelerating? (Explained)
2. The brake pads are worn out
Uneven brake pad wear can affect the braking performance of a car leading to shaking or vibrations when braking at higher speeds.
Brake pads are important parts that create friction against the rotors to slow down or stop the car. When these pads wear unevenly, it can cause various issues that affect braking smoothness.
As the brake pads wear unevenly, certain areas might have more friction against the rotor compared to others.
This uneven friction can result in an inconsistent braking force being applied to the rotors, leading to vibrations or shaking felt through the steering wheel or the car itself.
Irregular wear patterns can also cause variations in the brake pad material. This can lead to uneven contact with the rotor surface, causing disturbances during braking.
Signs of uneven brake pads wear:
- Vibration or shaking at higher speeds.
- Pulsating brake pedal
- Uneven pad thickness.
Solution:
Have a qualified mechanic inspect the braking system to determine the extent of the wear and identify the cause.
Unevenly worn brake pads should be replaced immediately. The brake pads should be replaced in axle sets (both front or rear) to ensure even braking performance.
They will also inspect the brake rotors for any signs of damage or uneven wear that might have contributed to the uneven pad wear.
Resurfacing or replacement of the rotors might be necessary if they are damaged.
3. Wheel alignment issues
A car shaking while braking at high speeds can be caused by wheel alignment problems.
Wheel alignment plays an important role in the overall stability and handling of a car. When the wheels are misaligned, it can cause various issues, including shaking or vibrations while braking at higher speeds.
Improper wheel alignment can cause uneven contact between the brake pads and the rotors. This uneven contact leads to inconsistent braking force application, resulting in vibrations or shaking during braking.
Misaligned wheels can also cause uneven tire wear. Irregular tire wear patterns, such as feathering or cupping, can affect the tire’s ability to maintain consistent traction and stability, impacting braking performance.
Wheel misalignment can also affect the steering system. It might cause your car to pull to one side, which can indirectly affect braking performance, especially at higher speeds, leading to shaking or vibrations.
Signs of wheel alignment issues:
- Your car tends to drift or pull to one side when driving straight.
- Uneven Tire Wear
- When driving straight, the steering wheel isn’t centered but instead sits off-center.
Solution
A qualified mechanic should perform a wheel alignment check and adjustment if necessary. This involves adjusting the angles of the wheels to the manufacturer’s specifications.
They will also inspect tires for uneven wear and consider rotating them to ensure even wear patterns, especially after correcting alignment issues.
A misaligned wheel might be a symptom of underlying suspension issues. Therefore a mechanic will ensure the suspension components, such as control arms, tie rods, and bushings, are in good condition.
Also follow maintenance schedules for wheel alignments, especially after hitting potholes, curb impacts, or any incidents that could affect alignment.
4. Tire problems
Tire problems can cause shaking or vibrations in your car, especially at higher speeds.
Irregular tire wear patterns, such as bald spots, cupping, or feathering, can lead to inconsistencies in tire traction.
When braking, these uneven surfaces can cause the tire to grip and release the road surface unevenly, resulting in vibrations felt through the car.
Improperly balanced tires can also cause vibrations, particularly noticeable during braking. Imbalanced tires lead to uneven weight distribution, which can create shaking or vibration sensations when the brakes are applied.
Also if your tires have bulges, cuts, or significant wear, this compromises their structural integrity. This can affect how the tire maintains contact with the road, leading to instability and vibrations while braking.
Solution
Inspect your car tires for signs of wear, damage, or irregularities. Replace tires that show significant wear, bulges, or other damage.
Also have your tires balanced by a professional mechanic to ensure even weight distribution, minimizing vibrations during braking.
Proper wheel alignment and rotation of tires and maintaining correct tire pressure should also be done regularly to promote even wear across all tires.
Also to prevent this problem, replace your car tires when they reach the end of their lifespan or if they show signs of significant wear or damage.
5. Suspension problems
A car shaking while braking at high speeds can also be caused by suspension problems.
The suspension system comprises various components that ensure the stability, handling, and comfort of a car.
When these components wear out or malfunction, they can affect braking performance and cause noticeable issues.
Worn-out suspension components, such as ball joints, bushings, or tie rods, can lead to an uneven weight distribution on the wheels. When braking, this imbalance causes your car to shake or vibrate.
Also, a compromised suspension system can affect your car’s stability, causing it to sway or bounce excessively.
When braking at high speeds, this instability can translate into shaking or vibrations felt throughout the car.
In addition to this, suspension problems can affect how the wheels move and respond to road irregularities. This can affect how the brakes engage with the rotors, leading to braking inconsistencies and shaking.
Signs of suspension problems
- Excessive bouncing or swaying when going over bumps or uneven road surfaces.
- Uneven tire wear.
- Knocking or clunking noises when driving over bumps or during turns.
- Reduced responsiveness in steering or difficulty maintaining straight-line driving.
Solution
Have a qualified mechanic inspect the suspension system to identify worn-out or damaged components.
They will replace worn-out or damaged suspension components, such as shocks, struts, ball joints, tie rods, or bushings.
Also, ensure proper wheel alignment after suspension repairs or component replacements to prevent uneven tire wear and optimize braking performance.
Related: Why is my car shaking when I stop? (Here’s why)
6. Brake caliper problems
Brake calipers play a critical role in the braking system by pressing the brake pads against the rotors to create friction and slow down or stop the car.
When brake calipers encounter problems, it can seriously affect braking performance, leading to shaking or vibrations, especially at higher speeds.
This can be due to uneven brake pad pressure. Sticking or seized brake calipers may apply uneven pressure on the brake pads. This uneven pressure can cause the pads to make inconsistent contact with the rotors, leading to vibrations or shaking when braking.
A stuck or seized brake caliper can also cause the brake pad to remain in contact with the rotor even when the brake pedal is released.
This constant contact creates excessive heat and uneven wear, contributing to shaking during braking.
Signs of brake caliper problems:
- Your car may pull to one side when braking due to uneven braking force applied by the calipers.
- Uneven brake pad wear
- The sensation of the car dragging or feeling sluggish even when not pressing the brake pedal.
- After driving, the affected wheel or brakes might feel excessively hot due to constant friction caused by a stuck caliper.
Solution
Seek the assistance of a professional mechanic to inspect the brake calipers to identify any issues, such as sticking, seizing, or uneven wear.
They will clean or lubricate the caliper, replace or repair it or bleed the brake system to remove air pockets and ensure proper hydraulic pressure is essential for optimal brake performance.
7. Brake system contamination
Brake system contamination is the presence of foreign materials like water, dirt, debris, or brake fluid contamination on the brake components, such as brake pads or rotors.
This contamination can interfere with the braking process, leading to shaking or vibrations, especially at higher speeds.
How it causes this is that contaminants on the brake pads or rotors can create a barrier between the two surfaces, reducing the friction necessary for effective braking.
This reduction in friction can cause inconsistent braking performance, leading to vibrations or shaking.
Contaminants can also cause patches of the brake pad surface to have reduced friction against the rotor.
This uneven contact results in an irregular application of braking force, leading to vibrations during braking.
Signs of brake system contamination
- Decrease in braking effectiveness requiring more effort on the brake pedal to stop your car.
- Grinding or squealing noises.
- Vibrations or shaking.
Solution
Have a qualified mechanic inspect the brake system for contamination. Cleaning the brake pads, rotors, and calipers to remove contaminants resolves the problem.
If brake fluid has become contaminated, a complete brake fluid flush and replacement is required to ensure optimal brake performance.
In severe cases where contaminants have caused a lot of damage or wear to brake components, replacement of affected parts, such as pads or rotors, might be necessary.
To prevent the problem from occurring again, keep the brake system clean and free from debris by avoiding driving through standing water, regularly clean the wheels and brake components, and also ensure brake fluid reservoir caps are securely closed to prevent contamination.
Regular maintenance and timely cleaning of brake components also prevent brake system contamination.