Brake vibrations are a common and often disturbing symptom. Your brakes keep you safe, so it's understandably upsetting when something seems to be wrong. Vibrations typically occur when you press down on the brake pedal and may only be noticeable under certain conditions. For example, you may notice worse vibrations at highway speeds or during sudden stops.
Unfortunately, determining the cause of vibrations isn't always a straightforward process. Your brakes include many components, and suspension or tire issues may also be to blame. However, ignoring these issues is also a bad idea since vibrations may indicate a loss of brake performance or a severe underlying problem.
Understand the Typical Causes of Vibrations
Disc brakes work by using hydraulic pressure to compress sacrificial brake pads against a metal brake disc or rotor. In most cases, you can feel vibrations due to uneven contact between the disc and brake pads. As the friction material moves across the rotor surface, it "bounces" between low and high spots, creating a pulsating or vibrating sensation.
The good news is that this problem won't usually cause your brakes to fail. The bad news is that your braking performance relies on consistent, even contact between the rotors and the friction material on the brake pads. Uneven contact will reduce your car's braking ability and ultimately cause your pads and rotors to wear out more quickly.
While many people are quick to blame warped rotors for these issues, uneven wear may be a more significant culprit. Poor installation, low-quality parts, trapped debris, and even improper lug nut torque can all impact your brakes. These issues may cause inconsistent contact, ultimately resulting in uneven wear that gets progressively worse over time.
Repairing Your Brake Vibrations
Installing new pads and rotors will almost always solve the immediate problem and restore your brakes. However, simply putting new parts on your car won't necessarily address the underlying cause. You may replace these parts, only to find that your vibrations return in the future. As a result, it's critical to always get to the bottom of any problem with your brakes.
An experienced brake repair shop should be able to inspect your braking components and determine why they are warping or wearing unevenly. Once they assess the underlying cause, they can address the problem so your new brakes will continue to function correctly. Fixing these problems will also help ensure that your vehicle maintains its brake performance under all conditions.
Pulsations and vibrations may not be as dangerous as other brake-related problems, but it's nonetheless essential to address them as soon as you can. Your brakes help to keep you safe on the road, so you should never ignore any signs that something may be wrong with them. To learn more about brake repair, contact an automotive service.
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