What Causes Body Shaking When Braking in an A6L?
2 Answers
With prolonged use of the vehicle, the flatness of the brake discs will decrease. Therefore, when braking, due to the uneven surface of the brake discs, you may feel shaking. Below are detailed explanations regarding this issue: 1. Brake Pedal Feels Softer: If the brake pedal feels softer when pressed or the braking distance becomes longer, it could primarily be due to excessive moisture in the brake fluid or too much air in the brake fluid reservoir. 2. Brake Pedal Sticking: If you feel that the brake pedal sticks when pressed, first check if there are any foreign objects obstructing the brake pedal under the floor mat. It could also be caused by debris between the brake disc and brake pads. 3. Steering Pulls to One Side When Braking: If the steering wheel pulls to one side or there is a noticeable tugging sensation in one direction when braking, this might be due to uneven force application by the left and right brake calipers on the brake pads. 4. Brake Noise: If there is a squeaking noise when braking, it is likely because most brake pads are designed with wear indicators. If you hear a 'squeaking' sound when lightly applying the brakes, it is the sound of the brake wear indicator, signaling that the brake pads are too thin and must be replaced immediately.
I recently felt severe body shaking when braking, especially noticeable when slowing down on the highway, which scared me into pulling over to check. This kind of shaking is mostly caused by warped brake discs—long-term frequent braking leads to thermal deformation, making the surface uneven, and when braking, the uneven friction between the disc and pads causes vibrations. It could also be due to unevenly worn brake pads, unbalanced tires, or out-of-round wheel rims. I recommend going to a repair shop first to have them perform a four-wheel alignment and measure the brake discs. If they're uneven, they can be resurfaced or replaced directly. My own car has experienced this before—a quick check of whether the tire bolts are loose can help rule out some issues. If you notice shaking during daily driving, don’t delay; safety comes first. Regularly replacing brake components can effectively prevent this. From my experience, if you drive frequently in congested urban areas, it’s best to service the braking system every two years.
