Car trouble · Brakes

My steering wheel shakes when I brake

The wheel or the pedal shudders when you slow down, especially from highway speed. The brake rotors are the usual cause.

Get to it this week

A starting point, not a diagnosis. Most parts stores read check-engine codes and test batteries for free.

Likely causes — tick the parts you want

Warped or unevenly worn brake rotors
most likely · Doable with tools and a free afternoon
How to check: If you feel a pulse in the brake pedal and a shake in the wheel that only happens while braking, the rotors are almost always involved.
- Front brake rotors (pair)
- Front brake pads(New pads are usually fitted with new rotors.)
- Brake cleaner
- Torque wrench
A sticking brake caliper
possible · Doable with tools and a free afternoon
How to check: After a drive, carefully hold your hand near each front wheel without touching it. A wheel much hotter than the other can mean a stuck caliper that has overheated the rotor.
- Brake caliper(Ask for the core charge to be refunded when the old one comes back.)
Worn steering or suspension parts
less likely · A mechanic’s job
How to check: If the wheel also shakes when you are not braking, or you hear clunks over bumps, have the front end inspected.

Be careful

Don’t blow brake dust off with compressed air or breathe it in — wet it down with brake cleaner and wipe it away. Never get under a car held up only by a jack — set it on jack stands on flat, solid ground and chock the wheels that stay down.

Your car — the counter needs this

YearMakeModelEngine (optional)

VIN (optional, most exact)Which parts store (optional)

If the counter doesn’t have a part, your shopper asks them to order it under your name and messages you the order number. When it comes in, send someone to collect it.

Not quite it?

My brakes are grinding My brake pedal feels soft or spongy My brakes squeal My car pulls to one side when I brake