How to Solve Steering Wheel Vibration When Braking?
2 Answers
Solutions for steering wheel vibration during braking are as follows: 1. Inspect and replace the brake discs and pads. 2. Perform brake system maintenance. 3. Park the vehicle and self-check whether the brake pads are functioning properly, and if there is any water accumulation on the brake discs, etc. The safest approach is to have it inspected at a repair shop, as it could also be due to misaligned brake calipers or low brake fluid pressure. Causes of steering wheel vibration: 1. Steering wheel vibration at high speeds. This may be caused by the vehicle's drivetrain system; the front wheel alignment angles should be checked and adjusted if necessary. 2. Severe steering wheel vibration when turning. This is due to the power steering belt being too loose or too tight, mainly for vehicles with mechanical hydraulic power steering. Adjusting the belt tension or replacing it can resolve the issue. 3. Sudden and intense steering wheel vibration when braking at high speeds. Excessive or frequent braking can cause the brake discs and pads to overheat and deform upon cooling, requiring replacement or resurfacing of the brake discs. 4. Steering wheel vibration at a specific speed range. This is due to incorrect tire balance values, causing the steering wheel to vibrate within a certain speed range. Wheel rim deformation, incorrect tire pressure, uneven tire wear, or improperly installed balance weights can all lead to poor wheel balance. 5. Normal on smooth roads but vibration occurs on bumpy roads.
Last time when I braked hard on the highway, the steering wheel shook violently. Later, the inspection revealed that the front brake discs were warped. The mechanic said this is quite common, especially with frequent hard braking. Uneven surface temperatures on the brake discs can cause warping, leading to vibrations during braking. Besides brake discs, uneven wear of brake pads, loose wheel hub bearings, or excessive play in the steering linkage ball joints can also cause shaking. Now that the weather is hot, continuous downhill driving heats up the rims, and driving directly into cold water to cool them down can easily warp the brake discs. It's recommended to first check the flatness of the brake discs. Severely warped discs should be replaced, while slightly warped ones can be resurfaced on a lathe.
