If your car is shaking when braking, the shudder or vibration usually comes from the brake discs (also called rotors) wearing unevenly, so the pads grip a surface that isn't flat. You feel it as a pulse through the brake pedal, a shake in the steering wheel, or both.
It's common and fixable, but it's worth getting checked soon. A car that shudders under braking is a car that isn't stopping as smoothly as it should.
What causes the shaking?
The usual causes:
- Uneven brake discs. People often call them "warped", but it's usually uneven thickness or pad material built up in patches on the disc. Heat does it: hard braking, a long downhill, or holding the brakes on hard while stopped after a hot run.
- Worn or sticking brake parts. A calliper that sticks, or slides that don't move freely, can heat one side more than the other and make the shake worse.
- Worn suspension or steering parts. Tired bushes, ball joints or tie rod ends can let a small brake wobble become a big steering wheel shake.
- Wheel and tyre problems. A wheel out of balance, a damaged tyre, or wheel nuts not done up evenly. These usually shake at speed as well, not just when braking.
- Wheel bearings. A worn bearing can add play, and often comes with a hum that changes with speed.
Where do I feel it, and what does that tell you?
It's a useful clue, so notice it before you come in:
- Through the steering wheel: usually the front brakes or front suspension.
- Through the seat or the brake pedal only: can be the rear brakes, especially on cars with rear discs.
- Only at higher speeds, like on the motorway: often discs, but also check tyres and balance.
- All the time, braking or not: more likely a wheel, tyre or suspension issue than the brakes.
How soon do I need to get it checked?
Book in within the week if there's a mild shudder that's slowly getting worse.
Stop driving and call us if the shake comes with grinding, a burning smell, the car pulling hard to one side, a brake warning light, or a pedal that feels soft or sinks. Those point to something that affects how well the car stops.
If you're also hearing a squeal, read Why are my brakes squealing? The two often turn up together, because worn pads and tired discs tend to wear out around the same time.
What does fixing it involve?
We take the wheels off and measure. Depending on what we find, discs can sometimes be machined smooth if there's enough thickness left, or they need replacing, usually with new pads at the same time. If the cause is a sticking calliper or worn suspension, we fix that too, otherwise the new discs end up the same way.
You get the reason and the price before any work starts, and nothing is done until you've approved it in writing.
Quick questions
Will a shaking brake fail a WOF?
The WOF checks brake performance and condition, along with steering and suspension, so it can. Better to sort it before the WOF than during it. Here's what the inspector looks at: What does a WOF check in New Zealand?
Can I just replace the pads?
New pads on uneven discs usually still shudder, and can wear faster. We'll measure and tell you honestly whether the discs need doing.
How do I stop it happening again?
Brake earlier and more gently where you can, and use a lower gear on long downhills so the brakes aren't doing all the work.
Brake checks in Albany and the North Shore
Midas Albany, 3C Saturn Place, Albany. Family owned since 2004, MTA Assured, and the price is agreed before any work starts. Not sure if it's brakes, tyres or suspension? Our $89 diagnostic finds it, and it's credited against the repair if we do it.
See our brake repairs and diagnostics.
Call Robin on 09 415 6595, book online, or request a callback. Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm.
Written by the Midas Albany team.