Car Shaking When Brake? Causes And Fixes

The sound of a car shaking when the brakes are applied is a common issue that many drivers experience. It can be unsettling and even cause concern about the safety of the vehicle. However, in most cases, a car shaking when the brakes are applied is not a cause for alarm and can be easily diagnosed and fixed. In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons behind a car shaking when the brakes are applied and provide a comprehensive guide on how to diagnose and fix the issue.

The importance of addressing a car shaking when the brakes are applied cannot be overstated. A shaking or vibrating car can be a sign of a more serious underlying issue that can lead to further damage to the vehicle’s braking system, suspension, and other critical components. If left unchecked, this issue can result in costly repairs, decreased fuel efficiency, and even compromise the safety of the vehicle.

In this blog post, we will cover the following topics:

Causes of a Car Shaking When the Brakes Are Applied

A car shaking when the brakes are applied can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Worn-Out Brake Pads or Rotors

Worn-out brake pads or rotors can cause the car to vibrate or shake when the brakes are applied. This is because the brake pads or rotors are not functioning properly, leading to uneven braking and vibration. If the brake pads or rotors are worn out, they need to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Table 1: Signs of Worn-Out Brake Pads or Rotors

Warped Brake Rotors

Warped brake rotors can cause the car to vibrate or shake when the brakes are applied. This is because the brake rotors are not spinning smoothly, leading to uneven braking and vibration. If the brake rotors are warped, they need to be resurfaced or replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Table 2: Signs of Warped Brake Rotors

Loose or Worn-Out Brake Hardware

Loose or Worn-Out Brake Hardware

Loose or worn-out brake hardware, such as brake caliper bolts or brake rotor bolts, can cause the car to vibrate or shake when the brakes are applied. This is because the brake hardware is not functioning properly, leading to uneven braking and vibration. If the brake hardware is loose or worn out, it needs to be tightened or replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Table 3: Signs of Loose or Worn-Out Brake Hardware (See Also: Can A Caliper Leak Brake Fluid? Here’s What To Know)

Symptom	Description
Vibration	The car vibrates or shakes when the brakes are applied
Grinding Noise	A grinding or screeching noise is heard when the brakes are applied
Squealing Noise	A high-pitched squealing noise is heard when the brakes are applied

Bad Brake Master Cylinder

A bad brake master cylinder can cause the car to vibrate or shake when the brakes are applied. This is because the brake master cylinder is not functioning properly, leading to uneven braking and vibration. If the brake master cylinder is bad, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Table 4: Signs of a Bad Brake Master Cylinder

Symptom	Description
Vibration	The car vibrates or shakes when the brakes are applied
Grinding Noise	A grinding or screeching noise is heard when the brakes are applied
Squealing Noise	A high-pitched squealing noise is heard when the brakes are applied

Bad Brake Fluid

Bad brake fluid can cause the car to vibrate or shake when the brakes are applied. This is because the brake fluid is not functioning properly, leading to uneven braking and vibration. If the brake fluid is bad, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Table 5: Signs of Bad Brake Fluid

Symptom	Description
Vibration	The car vibrates or shakes when the brakes are applied
Grinding Noise	A grinding or screeching noise is heard when the brakes are applied
Squealing Noise	A high-pitched squealing noise is heard when the brakes are applied

Diagnosing a Car Shaking When the Brakes Are Applied

To diagnose a car shaking when the brakes are applied, follow these steps:

Check the Brake Pads

Check the brake pads to see if they are worn out. If the brake pads are worn out, they need to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Table 6: Signs of Worn-Out Brake Pads

Symptom	Description
Vibration	The car vibrates or shakes when the brakes are applied
Grinding Noise	A grinding or screeching noise is heard when the brakes are applied
Squealing Noise	A high-pitched squealing noise is heard when the brakes are applied

Check the Brake Rotors

Check the brake rotors to see if they are warped. If the brake rotors are warped, they need to be resurfaced or replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Table 7: Signs of Warped Brake Rotors

Symptom	Description
Vibration	The car vibrates or shakes when the brakes are applied
Grinding Noise	A grinding or screeching noise is heard when the brakes are applied
Squealing Noise	A high-pitched squealing noise is heard when the brakes are applied

Check the Brake Hardware

Check the brake hardware to see if it is loose or worn out. If the brake hardware is loose or worn out, it needs to be tightened or replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the braking system. (See Also: How to Bend Brake Lines Without Kinking? Mastering The Art)

Table 8: Signs of Loose or Worn-Out Brake Hardware

Symptom	Description
Vibration	The car vibrates or shakes when the brakes are applied
Grinding Noise	A grinding or screeching noise is heard when the brakes are applied
Squealing Noise	A high-pitched squealing noise is heard when the brakes are applied

Fixing a Car Shaking When the Brakes Are Applied

To fix a car shaking when the brakes are applied, follow these steps:

Replace the Brake Pads

Replace the brake pads with new ones to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Resurface or Replace the Brake Rotors

Resurface or replace the brake rotors to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Tighten or Replace the Brake Hardware

Tighten or replace the brake hardware to prevent further damage to the braking system.

Preventing a Car Shaking When the Brakes Are Applied

To prevent a car shaking when the brakes are applied, follow these steps:

Regularly Check the Brake Pads

Regularly check the brake pads to ensure they are in good condition.

Regularly Check the Brake Rotors

Regularly check the brake rotors to ensure they are in good condition.

Regularly Check the Brake Hardware

Regularly check the brake hardware to ensure it is in good condition. (See Also: Which Brake To Bleed First? The Definitive Guide)

Conclusion

A car shaking when the brakes are applied is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn-out brake pads or rotors, warped brake rotors, loose or worn-out brake hardware, bad brake master cylinder, and bad brake fluid. To diagnose and fix the issue, follow the steps outlined in this blog post. Regularly checking the brake pads, brake rotors, and brake hardware can help prevent the issue from occurring in the first place.

Recap

Here is a recap of the key points discussed in this blog post:

• A car shaking when the brakes are applied can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn-out brake pads or rotors, warped brake rotors, loose or worn-out brake hardware, bad brake master cylinder, and bad brake fluid.
• To diagnose the issue, check the brake pads, brake rotors, and brake hardware for signs of wear or damage.
• To fix the issue, replace the brake pads, resurface or replace the brake rotors, tighten or replace the brake hardware, and replace the brake master cylinder or brake fluid if necessary.
• To prevent the issue from occurring in the first place, regularly check the brake pads, brake rotors, and brake hardware.

FAQs

Q: What causes a car to shake when the brakes are applied?

A: A car can shake when the brakes are applied due to a variety of factors, including worn-out brake pads or rotors, warped brake rotors, loose or worn-out brake hardware, bad brake master cylinder, and bad brake fluid.

Q: How do I diagnose a car shaking when the brakes are applied?

A: To diagnose a car shaking when the brakes are applied, check the brake pads, brake rotors, and brake hardware for signs of wear or damage.

Q: How do I fix a car shaking when the brakes are applied?

A: To fix a car shaking when the brakes are applied, replace the brake pads, resurface or replace the brake rotors, tighten or replace the brake hardware, and replace the brake master cylinder or brake fluid if necessary.

Q: How can I prevent a car shaking when the brakes are applied?

A: To prevent a car shaking when the brakes are applied, regularly check the brake pads, brake rotors, and brake hardware.

See Also:

• Which Brake Pad Goes on the Outside? – Solved!
• What Are Brake Pads Made of Now? Modern Materials Explained
• What Does Parking Brake Do? – Explained Simply
• What Does Changing Brake Fluid Do? – Boost Your Safety
• Difference Between Front and Rear Brake Pads? Know The Key Differences

Q: What are the signs of worn-out brake pads or rotors?

A: The signs of worn-out brake pads or rotors include vibration, grinding noise, and squealing noise when the brakes are applied.