What is the problem when the steering wheel shakes during braking?
3 Answers
Car steering wheel shaking during braking is mainly caused by the following reasons: 1. This is due to excessive or frequent braking force, which can easily overheat the brake discs and brake pads. When they encounter cold and deform, steering wheel shaking occurs. Generally, replacing the brake discs and brake pads can resolve the symptoms. 2. If there is a problem with the disc brake system, the brake pads and brake discs will vibrate during friction, transmitting the vibration to the tires. The tires will then exhibit slight wobbling, naturally causing some shaking in the steering wheel. 3. The brake discs in disc brakes have very high requirements for flatness. Some inferior brake discs, due to substandard manufacturing processes or uneven thickness, will cause shaking during braking. Dirt on the brake pads or brake discs, or some deformation, can also lead to tire wobbling.
I just dealt with this issue on my own car! Steering wheel shaking during braking is most commonly caused by warped front brake rotors. Especially after continuous braking following high-speed driving, the brake rotors heat unevenly and warp upon cooling, just like a CD that's been scratched. Additionally, accumulated brake pad dust inside the wheel can cause uneven friction. Last week I specifically used a dial indicator to measure the brake rotor thickness and found a 0.15mm variation. I recommend checking if the rotors are grooved, and while you're at it, inspect the suspension control arm bushings - cracked bushings on older cars can amplify vibration sensations. The fix requires either removing and resurfacing the rotors or replacing them entirely, with labor costs being much higher than parts costs.
The steering wheel shakes like a phone vibration, right? Focus on checking three key points: the flatness of the front brake discs, the lubrication of the caliper guide pins, and the wheel balance. I once encountered a case where the inner side of the wheel hub was covered in brake dust, causing vibrations—high-pressure water jets during car washes couldn’t clean that spot. Another less common reason: excessive clearance in the front wheel bearings. Try lightly holding the steering wheel at speeds above 80 km/h; if the shaking persists even when coasting in neutral, it’s not a brake issue. Remember, if the brakes are shaking, don’t push through it—the longer you delay, the worse the disc wear becomes, and you might end up needing to replace the brake pads as well.
