Symptoms
- Shaking or pulsing only happens when pressing the brake
- Steering wheel vibrates, sometimes pedal pulses too
- No vibration when braking lightly, worse under harder braking
- Vibration goes away once you're off the brake
Likely causes
- CommonWarped or uneven brake rotorsRotors develop thickness variation from heat cycling, causing pulsation felt through the pedal and wheel.
- PossibleUneven brake pad deposits on the rotorPad material can transfer unevenly onto the rotor surface, causing the same pulsing feeling.
- Less commonLoose wheel bearingExcessive bearing play can add vibration that seems worse under braking.
What to do
- Confirm the vibration only happens when the brakes are applied, not while just driving.
- Note if it happens with light braking, hard braking, or both.
- Check lug nuts are properly torqued, since loose ones can mimic this symptom.
- Have the brake rotors inspected and measured for thickness variation.
- Resurface or replace rotors and pads as recommended by the shop.
- Ask the shop to check wheel bearings if the vibration persists after brake work.
Tools and parts
Replacement brake rotors and padsSearch: “brake rotors and pads for [your car model]”
When to call a pro
This is a brake job for most shops; have rotors measured rather than guessing, since resurfacing worn rotors can make them too thin to be safe.
Safety
Use caution
Brakes are a safety-critical system; have pulsation diagnosed promptly rather than continuing to drive on it.