Your brakes are one of the most critical components of your car, which is why unusual behavior should be addressed as soon as possible. If your steering wheel is shaking whenever you brake, the cause could likely be warped rotors.
Brake Rotors
There are a number of different things that can cause a car’s steering wheel to shake, ranging from worn suspension components to a broken motor mount. If the wheel is only shaking when you press the brakes, though, the cause is almost always the rotors, the discs that the brake pads grip onto in order to stop your car.
As you can imagine, the rotors are subject to a great deal of friction, which can lead to intense heat. Although they are designed to withstand high levels of heat and pressure, no rotor can last forever, and over time these forces cause them to warp or become uneven.
Fixing the Problem
Although the wheel shimmy might just seem like a minor annoyance, it can sometimes be the symptom of much bigger issues and should be inspected as soon as possible. There are a few ways that the problem can be resolved; in minor cases, simply having the rotors machined can even out the surface, smooth away the imperfections, and get everything working normally again.
In more extreme cases, the rotor might be past repair, in which case it will need to be replaced. New rotors without any warp can eliminate the shaking issue.
Get Started
If you’ve noticed your steering wheel shudders whenever you brake, then Sun Devil Auto can help you resolve the problem and make your car safer. Contact us today to get your rotors and brake assembly checked out.
