What Causes High-Speed Brake Shudder?
2 Answers
High-speed brake shudder can be attributed to the following reasons: 1. When driving at high speeds, if the steering wheel shakes, this condition may be caused by the vehicle's drivetrain system. It is advisable to check whether the front wheel alignment angles meet specifications and make adjustments if they are out of alignment. 2. Severe steering wheel shaking when turning is typically due to the power steering belt being too loose or too tight, primarily affecting mechanically hydraulic power steering vehicles. Adjusting the belt tension or replacing it should resolve the issue. 3. Sudden and intense steering wheel shaking when braking at high speeds occurs due to excessive or frequent braking, which causes the brake discs and pads to overheat and deform upon cooling. In this case, the brake discs may need to be replaced or resurfaced.
Last time when I braked hard on the highway, the front of my car shook violently, which really scared me! After returning home, I took it to the repair shop for inspection. The mechanic said the most likely cause was warped brake discs. During high-speed emergency braking, the brake discs get extremely hot, and over time, uneven thermal expansion and contraction can cause rotational imbalance leading to vibration. It could also be unevenly worn brake pads or slightly deformed wheel hubs. Another possibility is air bubbles in the brake lines or rusted/seized calipers. The recommendation was to first find a reliable shop to check the flatness of the brake discs - if severely warped, they should be resurfaced or replaced. Develop gentler driving habits to avoid harsh braking whenever possible, which helps prolong brake component lifespan. Don't delay addressing this issue - severe shaking affects control and safety, making it extremely dangerous! Since getting it fixed, I haven't experienced the problem again.
