What Causes Steering Wheel Vibration When Braking Above 120 km/h?
2 Answers
Steering wheel vibration when braking above 120 km/h may be caused by uneven brake disc wear or a malfunction in the drivetrain system. Here are the specific details: 1. Uneven Brake Disc Wear: When brake discs wear unevenly, steering wheel vibration can occur during high-speed braking. When the car reaches a certain speed and braking is applied, the left and right wheels on the same axle may experience asynchronous braking force multiple times due to uneven braking torque, resulting in a phenomenon of alternating tight and loose braking. When the imbalance in braking torque reaches a certain level, it causes the left and right wheels to roll at unequal speeds, leading to lateral wheel oscillation, which is then transmitted to the steering wheel. 2. Drivetrain Malfunction: Another possible cause of steering wheel vibration during high-speed braking is an issue with the car's drivetrain. In this case, it is advisable to check the tie rods and tie rod ends for rust or looseness.
I had the same issue where the steering wheel would shake violently when braking on the highway. The mechanic later told me it was most likely due to warped brake discs. When driving above 120 km/h, the wheels rotate at high speed. If the brake disc surface is uneven, the brake pads clamping on it will cause uneven friction, transmitting this vibration directly to the steering wheel through the steering system. Some cars experience this because of hard braking after aggressive driving, where the hot brake discs suddenly come into contact with water, causing thermal deformation. It could also be due to gradual minor warping during daily driving, which isn't noticeable at low speeds but becomes apparent at high speeds. If you encounter this, don't tough it out—I got mine resurfaced in time.
