The feeling of the steering wheel shaking when the car is braking is one of the most frightening things you can experience. Your hands can feel like they are being torn from the steering wheel if it gets bad enough. You may be surprised to learn that most steering wheel shaking problems can be fixed easily when you figure out why it occurs when braking.
A shake sensation can be caused by a number of factors, and this guide will show you how to fix it. You can also ask us questions about mechanics as professional mechanics.
Braking Shakes Your Steering Wheel
Warped or rusty front brake rotors could cause the steering wheel to shake when you apply the brake pedal. Additionally, your suspension components may be worn out if your control arm bushings are damaged, if your brakes are sticking, if your wheels are unbalanced, or if your wheel alignment is off.
Here are some items you may be able to identify as the cause of the shaking.
1. Rusted or warped front brake rotors
In most cases, the front brake rotors are to blame when the steering wheel shakes when braking. There may be wear or warping on the rotors. Rust could also cause vibrations when you press the brake pedal due to rust on the surface.
However, brake pads may also be responsible for the problem. It is common for brakes to squeal when they are first starting to wear out. It can turn into a growl or grinding noise, with some vibrations, if you let it go any further.
2. Damaged control arm bushings
An important part of the suspension is the control arm bushing, which contributes to vehicle stability. Where the control arm attaches to the frame, these bushings are on the inner side.
At higher speeds, the car loses stability when a bushing fails. The vibration of the steering wheel, especially when braking, can also result in uneven tire wear.
3. Sticking Brake Caliper
The calipers of brake calipers are sometimes seized or sticky, leading to brake rotor problems. Your car may pull to one side if a caliper becomes stuck. Also, when the brakes drag, noise can be heard. In addition, you may experience some vibrations.
In the event of a seized caliper and a warped rotor as a result of friction, the shaking will become even worse. Your vehicle will be difficult to control when this happens, so you should stop driving.
4. Bad Wheel Alignment
An aligned set of wheels will ensure that the vehicle drives straight down the road. It will result in uneven contact between the tires and the road, making them wear out more quickly.
There is, however, the possibility of vibrations and shaking caused by this problem. It is possible for the steering wheel to vibrate even when the alignment is slightly off.
5. Unbalanced Wheels
It is also common to have problems with wheel balance. Having unbalanced wheels will prevent tires from fully contacting the road. A vibration in the steering wheel could be caused by them skipping slightly as they rotate.
As you drive at higher speeds or come to a stop, this problem may become more apparent. You should get this problem checked as soon as possible since you could easily lose control of the vehicle.
5. Suspension components that are worn
In order to dampen road imperfections, the suspension system of a car is composed of many parts. Wear and tear on these parts can cause the cabin to shake as well as the steering wheel.
Ball joints and tie rods could be damaged. A bad suspension is never a good thing to drive, no matter what you do. Furthermore, you may cause further damage as you go through more tires.
Braking Shaking Steering Wheel Fix
The steering wheel should be moved to a safe location as soon as the vehicle feels shaken. The vehicle must be controlled at all times. I’m fine with you checking it out at home. A towing service or a local auto shop should be contacted if the car cannot be driven.
Several tips we have to offer as professionals if you’d prefer to solve the issue yourself.
1. Check the front brake rotors
Your first step should be to check your brakes, as they are the most likely culprit. Check the brake rotors by pulling the wheels. The rotors should be replaced if you notice any grooves.
It is possible to resurface the rotors in some cases. The cost of resurfacing brake rotors in some auto parts stores is much lower than that in a repair shop. Rotor replacement is the best option if the rotors cannot be resurfaced.
Rotor replacement should always be done in pairs. You may have to spend between $100 and $150 on front rotors. Installing them yourself will cost more than paying someone else to do it. You must also replace the rotors if the caliper caused them to become damaged. To prevent stuck calipers from occurring again, figure out what caused them.
2. Check suspension parts, such as the control arm bushings
The control arm bushings should be visually inspected first. No tears or damage should be present in the rubber material. The bushings should also be checked for play and replaced if necessary.
Make sure the rest of the suspension is in good condition if the bushings appear to be fine. Tie rods or ball joints may be damaged.
3. Inspect Brakes
The brake pads should also be replaced at the same time as the rotors are exposed for an inspection. Likewise, both front wheels should be replaced together with brake pads.
It’s usually less than $150 for a set of brake pads. You won’t have to pay labor if you put them on yourself.
4. Align and balance the wheels
The alignment and balancing of wheels should both be performed regularly. Typically, wheel alignment and wheel balance should be performed every year, while wheel balance should be performed every two years. Getting either of these done has probably been on your to-do list for quite some time.
Weights are added around the wheel rim during balancing in order to ensure that the tire and rim are perfectly balanced. A wheel balance can cost anywhere from $15 to $50 per tire. Car wheels are measured by placing them on a special rack during wheel alignment. A straight line and equal wheels are made by adjusting the wheels. It usually costs $50 to $75 per axle to align your wheels.
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5. Contact A Professional
If you still haven’t found the problem after these inspections, you might need a professional. In the absence of knowledge of what is causing a shaken steering wheel, it can be a very dangerous thing to drive with.
In addition, it would be best if you took the car to a garage for repairs if you are unsure about performing any of the tasks that have been outlined. If you lack knowledge, you may end up creating more damage.
