Why Does Your Car Shake When Braking at High Speeds?

Do you feel your car shaking when you brake at high speeds? If so, you might be wondering what is causing this problem and how to fix it. A car that shakes when braking at high speeds is not normal and can be a sign of a serious issue with your brakes.

In this article, we will explain why your car shakes when braking at high speeds and what you can do to prevent or solve this problem.

What Causes Your Car to Shake When Braking at High Speeds?

The most common cause of your car shaking when braking at high speeds is warped brake rotors. Brake rotors are the metal discs that are attached to your wheels and spin with them. When you press the brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze the rotors and create friction, which slows down your car. However, if the rotors are warped, they are not perfectly flat and smooth, and they create uneven friction with the brake pads. This uneven friction causes your car to vibrate and shake when you brake at high speeds.

Brake rotors can become warped due to several reasons, such as:

1. Overheating: Brake rotors can overheat when you brake hard and frequently, especially at high speeds. The high heat can cause the metal to expand and contract, which can distort the shape of the rotors and make them warped.
2. Over-tightening: Brake rotors can also warp when the lug nuts that hold them to the wheels are over-tightened. The excessive pressure can bend and deform the rotors and make them warped.
3. Low-quality: Brake rotors can also warp when they are made of low-quality materials or have poor design. Cheap or faulty rotors can wear out faster and become warped more easily. 

How to Tell If Your Brake Rotors Are Warped?

The main symptom of warped brake rotors is your car shaking when braking at high speeds. However, you can also look for other signs, such as:

• Steering wheel vibration: If you feel your steering wheel vibrating or wobbling when you brake at high speeds, it is likely that your front brake rotors are warped. The front brake rotors have more impact on your steering than the rear ones.
• Brake pedal pulsation: If you feel your brake pedal pulsating or bouncing when you brake at high speeds, it is possible that your rear brake rotors are warped. The rear brake rotors have more impact on your brake pedal than the front ones. 
• Noise: If you hear a scraping or grinding noise when you brake at high speeds, it is possible that your brake rotors are warped and rubbing against the brake pads or the calipers. The noise can be louder or quieter depending on the severity of the warping.

How to Prevent or Fix Warped Brake Rotors?

If you have warped brake rotors, you should fix them as soon as possible, as they can affect your braking performance and safety. There are two main ways to fix warped brake rotors: machining or replacing them.

• Machining: Machining is a process that involves shaving off a thin layer of metal from the surface of the rotors to make them flat and smooth again. This can be done by a professional mechanic using a special machine called a brake lathe.  Machining can restore the shape and function of the rotors, but it can also reduce their thickness and strength. Therefore, machining can only be done if the rotors are still within the minimum thickness specification, which can be found in your owner’s manual or on the rotor itself. If the rotors are too thin or too warped, machining is not an option and they need to be replaced.
• Replacing: Replacing is a process that involves removing the old rotors and installing new ones. This can be done by a professional mechanic or by yourself if you have the right tools and skills. Replacing can ensure that you have new and undamaged rotors, but it can also be more expensive and time-consuming than machining. Therefore, replacing is usually done when the rotors are beyond repair or when you want to upgrade to better quality rotors.

To prevent your brake rotors from warping in the future, you can follow these tips:

• Avoid hard and frequent braking: You should avoid braking hard and frequently, especially at high speeds, as this can generate a lot of heat and stress on your rotors. You should brake gently and gradually, and use engine braking or downshifting when possible. You should also avoid riding your brakes or braking unnecessarily, as this can keep your rotors hot and prone to warping.
• Tighten your lug nuts properly: You should tighten your lug nuts properly, using a torque wrench and following the torque specification in your owner’s manual or on the wheel.  You should not over-tighten or under-tighten your lug nuts, as this can cause your rotors to warp or crack. You should also check your lug nuts regularly and re-tighten them if needed.
• Use high-quality brake pads and rotors: You should use high-quality brake pads and rotors, as they can last longer and resist warping better than cheap or low-quality ones. You should choose the brake pads and rotors that match your car’s specifications and performance, and avoid the ones that offer lifetime warranty or low price, as they may be inferior or defective. You should also check your brake pads and rotors regularly and replace them when they are worn out or damaged.

Conclusion

A car that shakes when braking at high speeds is not normal and can be a sign of warped brake rotors. Warped brake rotors are the metal discs that spin with your wheels and create friction with the brake pads to slow down your car. Warped brake rotors can cause uneven friction and vibration, which can make your car shake when braking at high speeds. Warped brake rotors can be caused by overheating, over-tightening, or low-quality. Warped brake rotors can be fixed by machining or replacing them. Warped brake rotors can be prevented by avoiding hard and frequent braking, tightening your lug nuts properly, and using high-quality brake pads and rotors. By fixing and preventing warped brake rotors, you can improve your braking performance and safety, and stop your car from shaking when braking at high speeds.

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