Imagine peacefully driving home from work, listening to your favourite music while the air conditioner sends cool breezes to your face. Suddenly, you approach a traffic signal, and as you press down the brake pedal, you receive a shudder from the pedal and steering wheel.
It means your car brakes are vibrating, and you just experienced a brake shudder. You should address the brake vibration soon, or it can be dangerous. We’ll explore brake tremor, its causes, and the possible solutions.Â
Why Do Car Brakes Vibrate?
Car brake vibration is a shudder you experience through the suspension, steering wheel, and brake pedal after applying brakes at high speeds. The severity of vibration can vary according to the cause and range from mild to violent.
The vibration can result from either the front or the rear brake. The source where you feel the shudder may indicate the brake to blame. Generally, vibration from the brake pedal means the rear rotors are at fault, and a shudder from the steering wheel suggests issues with the front rotors. Â
What Causes Car Brake Vibration?
Multiple reasons exist for why your car’s brake might be vibrating. Here are the top 3 causes for car brake shuddering.Â
Subpar Brake Pads
Damaged, worn, or warped brake pads in the system may cause car brake vibration. Furthermore, pads covered in oil or other substances may also produce vibration in an attempt to catch the rotor.
Alignment Problems
Out-of-alignment vehicles can damage suspension components and lead to premature tire wear, triggering brake vibration. Besides, essential suspension parts such as tie rods, ball joints, and wheel bearings can wear out with time, affecting the braking efficiency.
Imbalanced Brake Rotors
Brake pads must come in complete contact with the rotors to offer an optimal braking experience. However, heat generated from braking can deteriorate rotors unevenly from the exterior. It can cause them not to meet the pads correctly, leading to car brake vibrations.Â
Vibrations when braking at high speeds may be due to warped rotors
Car brakes may vibrate at high speeds for several reasons, including warped brake rotors, which are the most common cause. Warping can happen due to uneven heat distribution and cooling, leading to uneven rotor surfaces.
At high speeds, this unevenness translates into vibrations felt through the brake pedal or steering wheel. Additionally, worn-out brake pads or issues with the brake caliper can contribute to this problem, as they affect how the brake system applies pressure to the rotors. It’s crucial to address these issues promptly to maintain vehicle safety and performance.
How to Avoid Car Brake Vibrations
Here are some of the ways you can tackle car brake tremors.
Avoid Overusing The Brakes
Brakes create intense heat arising from friction. Therefore, avoid overusing the brakes to prevent damage to the braking system. Brake designs allow extreme temperatures but need time to cool off between uses. Frequent brake application doesn’t permit the braking system to cool down.Â
Use Good Quality Brake Components
Lower-quality brake components like brake pads can trigger a vibration. It’s wise to purchase high-quality parts that are more durable and tolerant to heat. It will avoid quick wear and overheat issues.
Visit a Brake Professional
Not good with all the technical stuff? Your best option is to visit a brake professional. Brake vibration may indicate a more significant problem, and an expert can fix all the interlinked issues.Â
Takeaway
Car brake vibration is a common problem that results in a shuddering experience whenever you press the brake pedal. The intensity of vibration varies depending on its cause. The typical reasons for brake shudder include uneven rotors, alignment and suspension issues, and poor brake pads.
You can tackle brake vibrations in different ways – by using premium brake components and avoiding overuse of brakes. Furthermore, you can visit a brake repair expert for brake vibration resolution. We suggest addressing the vibration issue as soon as possible, as it could link to other more significant problems, jeopardizing your safety. We hope this helps and drives safely out there.
