My Car or Truck Shakes When Braking: What Is Going On?

Kia of South Austin can help you learn why your car or truck shakes when braking.

One of the unnerving feelings is when you can feel your car shaking while you’re driving. Is it a nail in the tire, did that giant pothole hurt my car suspension, or did I break the driveshaft? There are several things that may be the cause of the vehicle shuddering, and the potential damage can fluctuate greatly. The most likely cause of the shaking most often happens in the vicinity of your car’s tires and wheels. They connect your car to the road, and if anything is out of alignment, you’re going to notice. It could be a broken caliper or a broken transmission. These more serious component failures could leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Is Your Car Shaking After New Tires?

If you got new wheels and tires recently, the car shaking could be caused by the tires not being balanced correctly. Tire balancing ensures the weight of the tire and wheel is. If you feel the tire vibration when you are driving, it may be a tire that is no longer balanced properly. If you have confirmed that the tires are balanced, but the car is still shuddering, be sure to check if the lugnuts are completely tightened, and make sure the tires are inflated to the correct air pressure. If you find that your tires are the cause of the vibration, you should get them checked out immediately.

My Steering Wheel Shakes

If your vehicle vibrates when you brake, that’s a pretty strong indicator that you might want to have your brakes checked out. The most obvious reason for your steering wheel shake is warped brake rotors. When drivers push down on the brake pedal, the brake pads compress against the brake rotors to bring your vehicle to a stop. If you want smooth braking, you require a smooth surface. A warped brake rotor surface will shudder when braking, kind of like how a brick road feels bumpier than a highway. Other causes of the shaking include frozen brake calipers or damaged suspension components. If you feel your steering wheel wobble, bring it to us, and we’ll check it out.

Why is My Car Shaking in Idle?

If your car is vibrating before you even start driving, then there’s a good chance that you have some broken car parts. The most obvious causes of your car shaking in idle are:

The Driveshaft has Failed – If not perfectly balanced or damaged, it might be the source of the vibrations
CV joints That Have Failed – Working together with the driveshaft, cv joints get the engine power to the wheels and tires and, if broken, can be the source of your car shaking in idle.
Failed Engine Mounts – As the name implies, these components help secure the engine to the vehicle. If they get damaged or broken, it can make the engine move around under the hood.

If you have realized there is a new shudder in your vehicle, then bring it in, and we’ll inspect it for any trouble spots. Our skilled techs will find the reason for the shaking and get you back on the road.

Schedule Kia Service In Austin

Kia of South Austin is one of the most trusted places to get vehicle service in the En area. We proudly service all makes and models of cars, trucks, and SUVs. One of our factory-trained experts will inspect your vehicle to determine if there are any necessary repairs and will suggest the best solution for you and your vehicle. Schedule your Sorento service online or in person today.