You press the brake and your steering wheel starts to shake. Or you feel a pulsing in the brake pedal. This is very common, especially on highways like the Conestoga Parkway or the 401 where you brake from higher speeds. Here’s what’s going on.
The most common cause: uneven brake rotors
People often call this “warped rotors.” In most cases, the rotor is not really bent. Instead, the rotor surface has become uneven. Some spots are thicker than others, or pad material has built up in patches. When the pads squeeze an uneven rotor, the wheel pulses. You feel that pulse in the steering wheel or the pedal.
What causes rotors to become uneven?
- Heat. Hard braking from high speed makes rotors very hot. Heavy heat over time causes uneven wear.
- Holding the brake after hard stops. If you stop hard and keep your foot on the brake, hot pads can leave a patch of material on one spot of the rotor.
- Rust. Salt from Ontario winters can rust rotors unevenly, especially on cars that sit for days.
- Thin, old rotors. Worn rotors hold less heat and change shape more easily.
- Uneven wheel nut tightening. If wheel nuts are tightened unevenly, it can pull the rotor out of shape.
Steering wheel or brake pedal: what’s the difference?
- Shaking in the steering wheel usually points to the front rotors.
- Pulsing in the brake pedal or seat, but not much in the steering wheel, often points to the rear rotors.
Other causes to rule out
If your car also shakes when you are not braking, the problem may not be your brakes. Other causes include:
- Tires that are out of balance
- A damaged or bent wheel
- Worn suspension or steering parts
- A bad wheel bearing
A simple test: if the shaking only happens when you press the brake, it’s almost always the rotors.
Is it safe to drive?
Mild shaking is not an emergency, but it gets worse over time. Uneven rotors can make your stopping distance longer and wear your pads and suspension faster. Get it checked soon, and before winter.
How we fix it
The usual fix is new rotors with new brake pads. Putting new pads on uneven rotors does not stop the shaking. We also clean and grease the parts that let the pads slide, so the new brakes wear evenly. Learn more in brake pads vs. rotors: what needs replacing.
How to prevent it
- Slow down early instead of braking hard at the last moment.
- After a hard stop, don’t keep squeezing the brake longer than you need to.
- Get your brakes checked once a year.
Shaking when you brake? Get it checked in Waterloo
President Tire & Wheels offers a free brake inspection at 632 Colby Drive, Waterloo. Brake pads and rotors start at $350 per axle with a 1-year warranty, or $499 per axle with a 2-year warranty (most sedans).
Get a free brake quote, see our brake service page, or call (226) 698-1667. Serving Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge.
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