It is essential to address any issues to ensure that cars remain safe to drive and mechanically sound. These complex contraptions can experience an endless list of topics.
However, some problems are more common than others. For example, cars shaking during braking is a widespread problem with several practical causes and solutions.
All drivers should understand these to ensure they are fully aware of all the common issues. Therefore, this article will illustrate precisely what the source of the problem could be and the easiest way to resolve them quickly.
How Brakes Work
Brakes have come a long way since their inception. Since the first introduction to production vehicles, brakes have been the most discussed component. They are effectively the only reasons cars can be allowed on roads.
They are the critical safety feature that controls the velocity of cars as they are navigated worldwide. However, these ingenious contraptions have come a long way since their inception.
All modern braking systems function using the same principles. The wheels that spin have an interior break disc inside of them that spins at the same rate. These metal brake discs have a clipper enclosed on a section of the component.
It allows the break to spin freely until two brake pads are compressed on the disk. The two pads are covered in a rough material that creates friction when it is compressed on the moving metal.
The harder these are compressed together, the greater the degree of friction. And the faster it begins to slow the movement of the disk.
The compression of these pads is operated by the driver by using one of the foot pedals. The pedal is connected to a pump that pushes hydraulic fluid to apply amplified pressure to the brake pads.
Each wheel will often have an independent braking system to ensure the most powerful braking effect. However, these complex hydraulic systems have a lot of components that must function for them to operate optimally.
It is important to remember that the wheels, brakes, and suspension components endure the harshest conditions of all of the car’s features. They are not protected from all of the grit, water, and debris on the road.
This means they are more likely to become damaged over time and are replaced most frequently.
Shaking When Braking
It is always important to take notice of the vehicle acting or sounding unusual. Sensing the vehicle is acting strangely is a critical part of the diagnosing process. All cars behave slightly differently, so the owner will be the best judge of something feeling off.
Shaking is a particularly concerning symptom that can relate to several serious issues. If the shaking is only present when the car is braking, then it is safe to assess that there is a problem occurring between the brake pedal and the wheels.
If this symptom happens very suddenly, it is vital to stop the car as soon as possible to ensure no dangerously loose components underneath the vehicle. However, this problem often develops over time and becomes increasingly noticeable.
Most Common Cause
There are many potential causes for cars to shake during the braking process. Often these vibrations will be amplified when the vehicle is slowed at higher speeds.
However, the most likely source of the problem will be a failing component of the foundational braking system.
As the vehicle’s braking mechanism is engaged, the pads push against the metal brake disks, which will eventually wear down. As they wear down, there is a greater risk of the constituent part beginning to break down at a different rate which can cause additional problems.
Therefore, the warping of the inner brake disk is one of the most common issues associated with shaking vehicles. Firstly this is because as the disk wear down, they gradually become thinner.
As they become thinner, they become more malleable, which means they are more prone to having their shape manipulated. In addition, the pressure produced for the pads is considerable and can easily begin to misshape these disks quickly.
Additionally, the friction between the pads and rotors is considerable during braking. This is translated into a vast amount of heat generation.
As the metal heats up, it becomes easier to manipulate as the material softens. However, combined with pressure, it will quickly become misshapen.
As these disks become warped when the pads are compressed against the disk. There will be a point of extreme contact and pointer where the bend in the rotor will naturally move away from the pad’s surface.
Doing so will generate a substantial vibration that will feel like the car is shaking violently. To resolve this complicated issue, the only solution is to replace the disk and, ideally, the pads.
This has to be completed regularly as part of regular maintenance. It is often tackled by enthusiastic DIY’ers but ideally by local mechanics. Replacing these components will guarantee that the problem is fully resolved.
What Else Causes The Car To Shake
Several simple issues could be to blame for the car shaking as it brakes. However, this is a severe safety component of the vehicle, so assessing these potential issues as soon as they arise is important.
Tires
Firstly, assessing the tires is the easiest and first component to be inspected. They are the easiest to access and, more importantly, the component most likely to take damage.
Due to tire proximity to the road surface, they are the most prone to failure. Therefore, it is important to inspect all of the tires to ensure that, firstly, there is no foreign material embedded in any of the tire surfaces.
As the vehicle slows, it may accentuate the imperfection in the tire may cause the car to shake. Moreover, check that all tire pressures are accurate and that all tire sizes are the same. If the tires’ height and size are different, it can cause the vehicle to act unusually.
Therefore, it is critical to ensure that they are all of the correct ratings and to the appropriately rated pressure.
Wheels
Wheels are the next point to cover. After the tires, they are also some of the most common components to experience damage.
Inspect them thoroughly inside and out for damage. If they are exposed to uneven surfaces that can bend and warp over time, it will misalign the wheel’s angle.
This is a prevalent cause of vibrations when braking. Ideally, this task will be performed by an experienced mechanic, as fixing these is a challenging task.
Wheels are also part of an intricate hydraulic steering system. This precision-aligned component can naturally fall out of alignment over time.
Again, this problem can only become apparent when the vehicle slows. It is essential to check this out immediately at your local garage. They will have to use specialized alignment tools to correct them properly.
Component Failure
Ultimately there are many complicated components on every vehicle’s underside. However, they all must work in absolute harmony as they are all integral to the vehicle’s mechanical function.
Therefore, if there are no apparent issues regarding the above point, a garage will likely find loose or broken components that must be replaced.
The final potential issue could be the result of a sticking brake caliper. These calipers compress the brake pads as part of a simple piston system. These components work under tight tolerances.
If the material penetrates the components, it can easily cause it to jam. Often brake shaking can be the result of a stuck piston which will be engaged after the pressure has been released.
This shaking will be experienced after the brake pedal has been released. It is another critically dangerous risk that must be addressed as soon as it arrises.
When cars shake during the braking process, it is essential that this potential health and safety hazard is addressed immediately. Although most of the causes are the result of fairly simple problems to resolve, it is critical to deal with them swiftly.
The braking mechanism is the most critical component of every vehicle, and it is imperative that it works properly at all times. Reviewing this article will equip you with the knowledge to diagnose and deal with these problems as they resolve appropriately.
So follow the advice above to have the best possible chances of success.