Updated at: 28-05-2022 - By: Lucas

A car with bad brakes is a disaster waiting to happen. When you put the brakes on your car, you expect it to stop without any problems.

But what happens when you hit the brakes and the car starts to shake?

I’ve been there, and it gives you chills. A lot of cars now have problems with shaking.

Think about this for a minute, and stay with me as we try to figure out what’s going on.

Why the Car Shakes When Braking

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When going a normal speed, the car could shake for a number of reasons. It’s an accident waiting to happen, so you should take care of it right away.

Here are some things that could be making your car shake.

Poor wheel alignment.

Bent rim

The wheel bearing was broken.

Brake pads that are worn or not even.

Uneven rotor discs/brake discs

Axle problem.

Tires on the rim wheels that aren’t balanced.

You want to know more about why these things happen and how they affect how a car stops? I’ll tell you all of that in this article. Continue.

1. Poor Wheel Alignment of the Car

Tires that get stuck together or rub against each other are a bad idea. It is the most common reason why a car shakes when it stops. Most of the time, uneven tyre wear is caused by a problem with how the wheels are aligned.

It also has an effect on other parts of the car’s brake system. Most of the damage is on the wheel brake discs, also called rotor discs.

The steering wheel is also affected by crooked wheels. When you drive the car, you can see that it doesn’t go in a straight line but instead moves in a crooked way.

If you notice any of these things, it’s time to check your brakes.

2. Worn out Brake Pads

The brake pads are a very important part of the car’s braking system. It is the parts that clump together on the brake disc that cause friction and stop the car.

The brake pads are on the inside of the clippers. You will notice that the brake pads wear down over time because of the friction when you brake.

When you step on the brake pedal, the wheels will screech, which will be the first sign that the brake pads are worn out.

Another sign is that the brake pedal is getting spongy. First of all, you’ll notice that the car won’t stop, and you’ll also notice a vibration when you try to stop.

Dirty or greasy brake pads can also make a car shake when you apply the brakes.

3. Uneven Rotor Disc/Brake Discs.

When you step on the brake pedal, the brake pads grab onto the rotor disc. After being used over and over again, they lose their round shape. Again, they get bent over time because of the impact that comes from braking all the time.

Because of this warping, you will notice that the car shakes when you stop it.

In the same way, the rough surface of the brake pads makes it hard to stop the car. All of this will make the car shake when the brakes are used.

4. Bent Wheel Rims.

Wheel rims that are bent act the same way as wheels that are not properly aligned. If you drive on roads with a lot of potholes, you are more likely to have a bent rim.

When you drive at high speeds, your car will give off light vibrations. But the vibration gets worse when you try to make it go away by going faster.

A bent rim can cause damage to other parts of the car. It could cause your tyres to wear down in different places. In the same way, less contact between the tyres and the road surface can cause a tyre to burst.

Most of all, bent rims make it hard to steer your car. So, when you drive, you will feel uncomfortable vibrations.

5. A Wheel Bearing that is Faulty.

A bad wheel bearing is just as bad as a wheel rim that is bent. It makes the tyres wear out unevenly and makes the wheels of the car loose. Because these tyres are loose and not even, the car shakes more.

When you drive on wheels that aren’t balanced, streets that are flooded, or roads that aren’t level, you damage the wheel bearing.

If your wheel bearing is having trouble, you should see one or more of the following signs.

When you hit the brakes, the car tends to pull to the side in an odd way.

The wheels knocked and clanked.

Uneven rotor disc or brake pads.

The above signs could mean that the car has other problems. Again, they change how the wheel bearings on your vehicle’s axle work.

If a wheel bearing is worn out, the vehicle will shake more. Not only when you are driving, but also when you are stopping your car.

6. Axle Problem

When you drive on bumpy and rough roads, small rocks and holes can damage your car’s axle. Even if you don’t pay attention to them, they will hurt you in the long run.

The damage to the axle affects the way your car’s suspension works. If the car’s suspension is broken, the car will shake more when it comes to a stop.

The damage to the axle also affects the C.V joint, which is a part of the car that connects to the axle. So, anything that affects the axle system also affects this joint. The effect is on how the vehicle is held up.

When the car’s suspension isn’t in good shape, stepping on the brake pedal makes the car shake more.

7. Unbalanced Tires on the Rim

Another thing that can make a car shake more is a tyre that isn’t balanced.

It’s very important to know how to balance the tyres on the wheel rim. It’s true, because your tyres are a big part of how comfortable your ride is. You don’t want to be jumping up and down in your car.

Making sure the tyres are balanced not only cuts down on vibrations but also keeps other parts of the car from breaking. In the same way, this makes sure that the tyre wears evenly. Again, it keeps the rim safe by not putting too much pressure on the brake disc.

These and many other things could cause the car to shake when it stops. How can they be fixed? How to do it:

How to Fix This or What They Should Do

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The first thing you need to do to fix this problem is figure out why your car shakes when you hit the brakes. Once you know what the problem is and can fix it yourself, you will save money.

But if you can’t, it shouldn’t be a problem—just hire a professional mechanic.

Most of the time, you have to replace the broken part with a new one to fix the problem. Still, you can fix the parts in question if they need it.

The only way to stop your car from shaking and fix the problem is to have it checked regularly.

Is This Dangerous

Yes. A car that shakes is just as dangerous as one that doesn’t stop. In the same way, the driver loses control of the vehicle, which makes it less stable and more likely to crash.

It is also dangerous because it can do a lot of damage to your car’s brakes. Other parts of the will also be affected by vibration. To replace the whole brake system after this kind of damage will cost you a lot of money.

Conclusion

Brakes in a car are crucial. When you are driving, nothing scares the hell out of you, and then boom!! When the brakes stop working, the car starts to shake.

You risk your own life and the lives of other people on the road. Do not sign your own death warrant by driving a car with bad brakes or none at all. Be safe always.