Steering Wheel Shakes When Braking: 10 Reasons

A steering wheel that wobbles can be unsettling for any driver. Because vibration issues take a while to manifest, they can be easy to overlook until they become a nuisance to vehicle operation.

Some symptoms also only become noticeable in certain situations — when braking, driving at low speeds, or turning corners. This guide will shed light on steering wheel vibrations and why they occur.

Usually, vibrations originate from the steering wheel or brake pedal and worsen if neglected. Dysfunctional components and air-fuel mechanisms contribute to these issues. Whichever the underlying cause, address the issue promptly to prevent further complications.

Here are the ten reasons why a steering wheel shakes when braking:

1. Tire Wear
2. Unbalanced or Misaligned Tires
3. Wheel Runout
4. Damaged or Warped Brake Rotors
5. Sticky Brake Calipers
6. Filthy Brake Pads
7. Corroded Mounting Hardware
8. Low Tire Pressure
9. Deteriorated Suspension Parts
10. Excessive Driveshaft Angle

While the mentioned list is non-exhaustive, it provides a solid understanding of essential components to address when affronted with issues like shaky braking and a wobbly steering wheel. If you’re interested in delving deeper, continue reading for further insights.

Steering Wheel Shakes when Braking

1. Tire Wear

Tire wear, whether or not it is uneven, is the most common culprit behind a four-wheeler’s shaky operation. And whether you are driving at 70 mph or screeching to a halt, this odd behavior is bound to manifest.

Tire wear may be an outcome of natural wear and tear. Or it could be from some other compromised component affecting tire function, like a broken or slipped belt.

Brand-new vehicles are not exempt from this predicament, as tire wear is exacerbated by subpar quality. Although rare, poor-quality tires can be fitted into a new car. And when that happens, the vehicle can have premature tire wear that could eventually lead to shuddering or steering wheel wobble.

The principle of determining which tires need replacement is similar to uneven tire wear. If the vibration is felt at the front, one or both front tires likely need replacement. The rear tires are likely at fault if it comes from the seat or floor. However, it is best to ascertain the situation through thorough visual inspection and, in some cases, with the help of a reputable mechanic.

2. Unbalanced or Misaligned Tires

Misalignment is another tire-related reason behind a steering wheel wobble, alongside out-of-balance tires.

Next to natural wear, this is probably the second thing to expect from your knobbies (especially if your four-wheeler is a daily driver). It is pretty easy to knock off a wheel weight and cause a dent on your rims — inadvertently hitting potholes and curbs do the trick.

Although this scenario happens even to the best of us, most car owners observe that hitting road obstacles is more likely to occur when driving at speeds within 50–70mph (or faster) instead of going more slowly.

That is because our driving speed would not match our reaction time in evading these little (sometimes close to negligible) on-road buggers — leading to the effects of these minor collisions compounding over time.

3. Wheel Runout

Another prevalent and tire-related reason a car’s steering wheel would shake when braking is wheel runout. This should not be confused with an out-of-balance tire, as the two have distinct differences.

Imbalance in tires has more to do with weight distribution and factors that disrupt that evenness. Meanwhile, wheel runout is related to shape or roundness and how imperfections in that facet adversely affect how efficiently that wheel rotates.

4. Damaged or Warped Brake Rotors

If tires are the top culprit behind a shaking steering wheel while braking, brake discs would be second. After all, this component is responsible for slowing down and stopping your vehicle.

In an ideal setup, you should not feel any shuddering in the steering wheel when depressing the brake pedal. But in reality, that condition can only last for so long.

Because of the amount of stress brakes are always subject to, these components are bound to deteriorate at some point. And when they do, they bring about several issues resulting in a steering wheel that shakes during braking, as follows:

• Uneven rotor surface resulting from warping
• Variation in the rotor’s thickness
• Brake pad material deposits on the rotor surface
• Impaired heat dissipation

Note that all four scenarios exacerbate an already deteriorated brake rotor’s propensity to cause vibration or pulsation in the steering wheel. That said, it would make sense to examine these areas if you suspect or have already ascertained having compromised brake rotors.

5. Sticky Brake Calipers

Brake calipers modulate pressure on the brake pads, which press against the rotors to slow down or stop a vehicle. To do this, they use pistons or sliding mechanisms to control the movement of the brake pads.

When brake calipers become sticky or fail to release properly, it can result in brake drag. This phenomenon can lead to various issues, not just a steering wheel wobble.

In a brake drag, the caliper fails to retract fully after the brake pedal is released. As a result, the brake pads continue to exert pressure against the brake rotor even when the brakes are no longer engaged. This constant contact between brake pads and the rotor generates friction, causing heat buildup, uneven pad wear, and the notorious steering wheel shake due to uneven braking force.

To resolve the problem of sticky brake calipers and their subsequent outcomes, it is necessary to inspect and service the brake calipers. This process usually involves cleaning or replacing the affected components, addressing any corrosion or contamination, and ensuring smooth and proper caliper operation.

Regular maintenance and prompt attention to brake-related issues can help prevent sticky calipers and maintain optimal braking performance.

6. Filthy Brake Pads

Like rotors, brake pads work equally hard in halting your four-wheeler at will. This is made possible due to the brake pad’s composition, which typically consists of friction materials, binders, a backing plate, shims, and insulators.

Of these materials, the friction material is what comes in direct contact with the brake discs.

Depending on the manufacturer, this bit may be constructed from synthetic or organic materials like rubber, resin, and fibers, all made to disintegrate slowly over time when subject to friction. When they do, these substances accumulate where the pads touch the rotor and cause the vehicle to pulsate when coming to a stop.

7. Corroded Mounting Hardware

There are way too many occasions when steering wheel wobbles persist despite getting affected four-wheelers thoroughly inspected and fully serviced – only for owners to eventually realize that the reason for their continued steering wheel problem is rusty mounting hardware.

You’d think it’s unlikely to miss these smaller components when inspecting their relevant systems, right? Well, that’s actually not the case. Some of us have been guilty of oversight at least once or twice.

So now that we’re on the subject, let me list down these little parts so that you don’t miss out on servicing or replacing them the next time you need to deal with a steering wheel wobble:

Caliper mounting bolts

They secure the brake caliper to the steering knuckle or suspension component. If corroded, they may not provide the necessary clamping force to hold the caliper securely in place.

Brake rotor mounting screws or clips

Though not all, some brake rotor designs feature these mounting screws or clips that fasten the rotor on the hub assembly. If corroded or loose, they can cause the brake rotor to have excessive movement, leading to steering wheel vibrations when the brakes are applied.

Mounting bolts and studs on the wheel hub assembly

They hold the wheel and brake rotor in place. If they become corroded, this hardware can adversely affect the stability of the entire wheel assembly.

Anti-vibration hardware

Some braking system components may have anti-vibration hardware like shims or clips. If corroded or damaged, they may not effectively dampen vibrations, potentially contributing to steering wheel oscillations when braking.

Suspension mounting points

Like wheel hub bolts and studs, suspension mounting points, such as control arm bushings or strut mounts, can affect a vehicle’s wheels’ overall stability and alignment. Any excessive movement or misalignment caused by corrosion in these mounting points can result in steering wheel vibrations when brakes are applied.

Regular inspection and maintenance of mounting hardware in the braking and suspension systems prevent corrosion and ensure proper tire-and-wheel functionality. That said, it is essential to clean or replace the affected hardware immediately to restore the integrity of the braking system and eliminate steering wheel vibrations caused by corroded mounting hardware.

8. Low Tire Pressure

In addition to poor fuel mileage, blowouts, and abnormal tire wear, low tire pressure can cause your vehicle’s steering wheel to shake when braking. If curious, this is how it happens.

Low tire pressure leads to uneven weight distribution across the tires. As a result, tires with low pressure cannot effectively grip the road surface when brakes are applied. This uneven contact between the tires and the road creates an imbalance, felt as a vibration in the steering wheel.

Incorrect tire pressure likewise affects overall handling and stability and compromises the tire’s ability to maintain proper traction and control during braking. This reduced grip can cause the tires to skid or slide, further contributing to steering wheel wobbles at low speeds or when depressing the brake pedal.

Finally, low tire pressure can result in increased rolling resistance, which requires more effort for tire rotation and places additional strain on the braking system. This uneven resistance from underinflated tires can cause uneven braking, leading to vibrations felt in the steering wheel.

A great way to keep troubles at bay is to regularly check and maintain proper tire pressure using a tire pressure gauge and inflator (view on Amazon). Always refer to OEM recommendations when it comes to cold-tire pressure.

Adjusting tire pressure by ± 3 psi against manufacturer recommendation to match changes in altitude, ambient temperatures, and riding conditions will mitigate tire pressure loss and maintain normal range.

9. Deteriorated Suspension Parts

The suspension system is crucial in maintaining stability and smoothness when applying brakes. So if components such as bushings, control arms, struts, or shocks become worn or damaged, they naturally would not be as effective in absorbing the forces generated during braking.

This can lead to uneven weight and force distribution on the wheels, causing steering wheel wobbles or pulsation felt from the front end.

10. Excessive Driveshaft Angle

An excessive driveshaft angle — resulting from drivetrain/frame damage or improperly installed lift kits and aftermarket parts like differentials and exhaust systems (view on Amazon) — can contribute to steering wheel shaking when braking.

This is because the excessive ride height and out-of-norm joint geometry cause cyclic vibrations and imbalance in the shaft and steering wheel (in addition to poor alignment, uneven tire wear, and inadequate suspension damping).

The sensation may not be noticeable when driving normally. However, it becomes apparent during braking when the forces acting on the driveshaft change and worsens the vibrations.

Moreover, the excessive driveshaft angle can indirectly affect braking performance, potentially jeopardizing the driver’s and the passengers’ on-road safety.

Conclusion — Why Does My Steering Wheel Shake?

To recap, here are the top ten reasons a steering wheel shakes when braking:

1. Tire Wear
2. Unbalanced or Misaligned Tires
3. Wheel Runout
4. Damaged or Warped Brake Rotors
5. Sticky Brake Calipers
6. Filthy Brake Pads
7. Corroded Mounting Hardware
8. Low Tire Pressure
9. Deteriorated Suspension Parts
10. Excessive Driveshaft Angle

While all these pain points have their respective fixes, the primary components you will need to look into would be your tires, brakes, suspension, and mounting hardware.

For tires, ensure they have adequate pressure, are free from punctures, and are balanced and mounted properly on hubs in an equally stellar condition. Brake components should be clean and functional, with brake pads in good condition.

For suspension parts, periodically inspect them and never overdo mods. And for mounting hardware, never skip inspection, and replace them immediately and as needed.

If you do these preventive measures consistently and regularly, you should dramatically reduce the chances of your vehicle developing a steering wheel wobble. Pair that with intentional, moderate driving habits, and you — and your braking system functionality — will be all set.