Car shaking when braking
A vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal that appears or gets worse when you brake almost always comes from the brakes or the front suspension.
Can I keep driving? Drivable with care. Diagnose soon: performance, economy or other components can be affected.
Common causes
Warped or unevenly worn brake discs (rotors)
Uneven disc thickness (thickness variation) makes the pads grip and release once per wheel revolution, felt as pulsing in the pedal or a shimmy in the steering wheel.
Pad material deposits on the discs
Holding the brakes hard after a hot stop can leave pad material on the disc, giving the same pulsing as a warped disc.
Sticking brake caliper
A caliper that does not release fully overheats its disc and can pull the car to one side.
Worn suspension or steering parts
Loose tie-rod ends, ball joints or control arm bushings let the wheel move under braking load.
Wheel or tire problems
An unbalanced wheel, a bent rim or wheel nuts tightened unevenly can show up most under braking.
What to check
- Note whether you feel it in the pedal (usually rear or front discs) or the steering wheel (usually front).
- Check the discs for blue heat marks, scoring or a lip at the outer edge.
- Measure disc thickness variation and run-out with a micrometer and dial gauge.
- Check that wheel nuts were torqued in a star pattern with a torque wrench.
- Check for play in the steering and suspension with the wheel off the ground.
Repair guides
Other brakes & steering problems
General guidance only. A qualified technician can confirm the cause; brakes, steering and fuel leaks should be checked professionally if in doubt.