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If you had any doubts, no, your car’s steering wheel shouldn’t feel like a display product for As Seen On TV’s “Shake Weight. Vibrations severe enough for you to notice equate to your car’s natural warning notification and can be the result of various issues that you need to fix ASAP. 

Along with brake pad, caliper, and rotor issues, your car Harlem Shaking down the block may also be caused by suspension and tire issues that affect your car’s safety. 

Diagnosing the exact culprit can seem impossible to those who aren’t adept in the ways of a mechanic. Don’t worry, The Drive’s info team is here to help. Let’s figure it out and fix it!

Unless you’re gifted with the ability to diagnose a car instantly like a Formula 1 engineer, you’ll likely need to diagnose the problem by process of elimination. By doing so, you can eliminate a host of likely suspects. However, even compiling a list can be daunting. 

That’s why The Drive’s editors put together this shortlist of the most common reasons why your car shakes when you brake. 

In a car’s braking system, a brake caliper applies pressure to a brake pad which clamps down on a brake rotor. Warped brake rotors occur when the caliper and pad are applied to the rotor in uneven pressure or when the rotor becomes so hot that the metal becomes distorted. When you brake on a warped rotor, the car will shake, as the metal is no longer straight.

Either stuck clamping the rotor or open and not clamping the rotor at all, a stuck brake caliper can produce shaking when you apply the brakes as you’re applying uneven pressure to the rotors. 

If air gets into a brake line, it can produce uneven pressure across the brake calipers and pads, which could make the car shake when you apply the brakes. 

Your average brake pad is engineered to last about 50,000 miles, though driving styles, use, and environmental factors affect their longevity. Hard stops, sharp stabs, and poorly modulated left-foot braking can affect your brake pads’ health. Other variables include faulty brake calipers, the air in your hydraulic brake lines, or leaving your car sitting for more than a year.

As such, a worn brake pad, or a pad that wore asymmetrically, could produce a pulsating feeling and cause the front of your car to shake when you apply the brakes.

When the drums on older vehicles are out-of-round, or unevenly worn, applying the brakes can cause vibrations to come through the steering wheel. 

If your uneven brake pads and/or rotors leave you feeling tumble dried, it’s time for a replacement.

Working on your car can be dangerous and messy, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to ensure you don’t die, get maimed, or lose a finger and keep your jeans, shirt, and skin spotless—hopefully.

We’re not psychic, nor are we snooping through your toolbox or garage, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to get the job done. 

Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)

You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting your ride out of the slammer or paying any fines. 

The Drive recognizes that while our guides are detailed and easily followed, a rusty bolt, an engine component not in the correct position, or oil leaking everywhere can derail a project. That’s why we’ve partnered with JustAnswer, which connects you to certified mechanics around the globe, to get you through even the toughest jobs. 

So if you have a question or are stuck, click here and talk to a mechanic near you.

You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers.

A. Yes, it can. A bad ball joint would cause slight vibrations, especially if you’re braking from high speeds. However, the effect wouldn’t be as noticeable as the more common brake issues detailed above. If you feel a heavy vibration, you’re likely not dealing with a bad ball joint. 

A. Yes, it can! If done improperly, a bad wheel alignment can cause vibrations when braking as the tires aren’t inline with one another. This will cause the car to not only be unstable but also wear out unevenly. 

Additionally, new tires that aren’t balanced properly can also cause steering vibrations as well as uneven wearing. But unlike the brake issues above, you’ll feel both poor alignment or unbalanced tires all the time, not just under braking.

A. It can be. Brake shudder could mean you don’t have equal or adequate braking pressure and might affect your stopping distance. 

Bosch QuietCast Premium Disc Brake Rotor

Akebono ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set

Wagner QuickStop Ceramic Brake Pad Set

StopTech 309.10780 Street Performance Front Brake Pads

Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note: guidesandgear@thedrive.com

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