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Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake?: Everything You Need to Know

The only thing more important than making sure your car goes is making sure it can stop. Considering this, it can be a bit nerve-wracking when your car starts shaking every time you brake. It leaves you scratching your head, asking, “Why does my car shake when I brake?”

Let’s diagnose.

Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake?

There are a few possible reasons why your car might shake when you brake. Thankfully, you can get most of these issues fixed with a simple repair job.

Brake Rotor & Pad Problem

The most likely cause of the shaking is wear-and-tear on the brake pads and rotors.

If your brake rotors get too worn down, the heat they produce due to friction causes them to warp unevenly. This causes shaking when you brake. When it comes to the brake pads, they get uneven wear by constantly rubbing against the rotors.

Take a look at your tires and check out the rotors and brake pads. If you see any cracks and uneven wear, that’s your likely problem. You’ll need to get some new brake pads and rotors installed.

Tire Problem

It’s also possible your wheels are out of alignment, or you have an unbalanced tire.

Go to a service shop to have this checked out, as it requires expensive equipment to fully diagnose. The repair person may recommend a few new tires or even a front-end realignment. This is a temporary fix, but it’s better than suffering through a shaking car every time you hit the brakes.

Broken/Loose Hose

There are a number of vacuum hoses in every car. These cars allow engine fumes to leave the vehicle.

If you have a broken or loose hose, you may notice some shaking when you brake your car. This shaking may happen while driving, too, but will be more noticeable when you’re braked. Eventually, this problem can lead to further engine issues, so it’s important to take get it taken care of.

Should I Get My Car Brakes Repaired?

The good news is that most car shaking when braking issues aren’t dangerous. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be safe.

It’s always important to get car issues like this diagnosed as soon as possible. The brakes are arguably the most important part of your car. If you can’t diagnose the problem yourself, visit a dependable car repair company and ask for a car brake repair.

Shake N’ Brake No More

So, why does my car shake when I brake?

It could be a number of problems, from brake pads or rotors to unaligned tires. Whatever the case, get your problem diagnosed and get it repaired as soon as you’re able. Drive safe, and drive without those annoying shakes — you’ll be glad you took the initiative.

Click here to request an appointment with Dependable Car Care and get those brakes fixed today.