Why Does Your Car Shake While Braking?

What causes a car to shake while braking? In most cases, the answer has something to do with its brake rotors or its tires. If your vehicle shakes on a more consistent basis, deeper issues with the suspension, steering, or drivetrain systems may be present. So, why does your car shake when braking? It’s never a bad idea to schedule service and let an expert take a look, but you can get a better idea of what to expect with our in-depth guide.

Warped or Damaged Brake Rotors 

Let’s say that you feel a pulsation coming through your brake pedal when you press down to slow the vehicle. Over time, this sensation worsens until your whole car trembles when braking! The most likely cause has to do with your vehicle’s brake rotors—or more specifically, with brake rotors that have become warped through use. 

If you always change your brake pads according to the schedule laid out in your owner’s manual, you shouldn’t have to worry about warped rotors. However, if the brake pads are worn through, your rotors will start to become damaged right away. This damage makes it more difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, and if your car shakes when braking at high speeds, you need to solve the problem as soon as possible. Our brake repair team can help.

Tires In Need of Service 

If there is some imbalance between your tires, you’re likely to notice some shaking when you try to slow or stop your vehicle. Here’s what you should know:

• Hitting a pothole in Providence or East Greenwich can cause your tires to fall out of alignment. This can cause your vehicle to shake while braking, and it may also cause you to pull to one side or the other.
• Uneven tread wear can also cause a vehicle to shake while braking, since your tires won’t necessarily grip the road like they should. Scheduling regular tire rotations can usually prevent this from happening.

Driveline Vibration

More serious issues can also cause a vehicle to shake while braking, and in extreme cases, you may start to notice that your vehicle shakes almost all the time. This generally occurs if there is some problem with your steering or suspension systems, or with the components that allow power to be transferred from the engine to the wheels.

Any of the following issues could cause a car to tremble on the roads of Warwick or Cranston:

• Loose or broken engine mounts
• A slipping transmission
• Axle out-of-alignment
• Steering system issues
• Bent suspension parts (e.g., control arms)
• Damaged U-joint on the driveshaft

Let Us Get Your Car Back to Normal!

No matter what issues you’re facing, you can rely on Mercedes-Benz of Warwick to help you set things right! Claim one of our current service specials in advance of your next visit, or learn more about how service financing can help you complete much-needed repairs before they balloon into bigger problems.