What Causes the Jerking Sensation When Braking?
2 Answers
Braking with a jerking sensation can be attributed to the following reasons: The jerking sensation during braking is caused by the mismatch between the engine speed and the clutch plate speed. It could also be due to issues with the transmission gear programming or internal contamination and impurities in the transmission. Such contamination or impurities can hinder effective regulation of transmission oil pressure, leading to jerking. Additional Information: Sudden acceleration or acceleration after braking are the two scenarios most likely to cause jerking. The computer's gear-shifting logic is based on the driver's throttle input. Normally, when the driver gradually presses the accelerator, the computer's default logic only requires upshifting to complete the acceleration. However, if the input is too forceful, the clutch may realize during upshifting that a downshift is necessary to fulfill the intention of sudden acceleration, prompting an immediate downshift. During this back-and-forth process, power transmission is not smooth, which easily results in jerking.
Recently, I noticed a jerking sensation when braking, as if the car was slowing down in small increments rather than coming to a smooth stop. This is quite common, and there could be several reasons: the most common is uneven wear on the brake pads—if there are hard spots or inconsistent wear, braking can feel bumpy. Or, the brake discs might be warped or uneven—like when the discs on my daily driver develop grooves over time, causing this issue. The ABS system kicking in during emergency braking on slippery roads can also create that pulsing sensation. Don’t overlook the possibility of a stuck caliper either; rusted guide pins can lead to uneven pressure. I always recommend checking brake pad thickness at least every six months and cleaning off dust, as it’s a safety issue—if something goes wrong at high speeds, it can be dangerous. Overall, keeping the system clean can prevent many problems, and if you encounter this issue, it’s best to have a professional shop test the brake pressure with proper equipment.
