Where do you feel the shaking?
Through the steering wheel. Usually the front brakes — most often front brake discs with uneven thickness or run-out (“warped” discs). Worn front suspension or steering joints can make it worse.
Through the brake pedal (pulsing). Uneven brake discs are again the most common cause. Note that a rapid pulsing during an emergency stop can be the ABS working normally.
Through the seat or the whole car. The rear brakes, or a suspension or tyre problem, become more likely.
Common causes
- Uneven or “warped” brake discs — uneven thickness from heat, wear or pad material deposits
- Worn brake pads, or pads that are glazed or contaminated with oil or brake fluid
- Sticking brake calipers or slide pins, causing one brake to drag and overheat
- Worn suspension or steering parts such as bushes, ball joints or tie-rod ends, which let vibration through
- Wheel and tyre problems — loose wheel nuts, imbalance or damaged tyres
- Wheel nuts over-tightened unevenly, which can distort discs
Other warning signs to watch for
- Squealing, grinding or scraping when braking
- The car pulling to one side under braking
- A burning smell or one wheel much hotter than the others after driving
- The brake pedal feeling soft, spongy or going lower than usual
- A brake warning light on the dashboard
A soft pedal, grinding metal-on-metal noise or a brake warning light should be checked immediately.
What to do
Drive gently and leave extra distance, avoid heavy braking from high speed, and book an inspection. Do not ignore it: worn pads can damage the discs, and a sticking caliper can overheat the brakes.
When to get a professional inspection
As soon as you notice it. We remove the wheels, measure pad and disc thickness and run-out, check the calipers, slide pins and brake fluid, and inspect the suspension and steering joints. You receive an itemised estimate before any parts are replaced.
