Why does my car shake when I brake at high speeds?
Every time I'm going above 60 mph and hit the brakes, my steering wheel starts shaking pretty bad. It doesn't happen at low speeds. I just got new brake pads installed like two months ago. Should I be worried or is this normal wear?
1 Answer(s)
Don't panic, but don't ignore it either. What you're describing is almost certainly warped brake rotors. Even though you got new pads recently, if the rotors were already slightly warped or the new pads didn't bed in properly, you'll get that shaking at higher speeds. The pads are grabbing an uneven surface on the rotor and that vibration transfers through the steering wheel. It's actually pretty common after a brake job. Go back to the shop that did the work — most will resurface or replace the rotors under warranty if it's related to their installation. If the rotors are within spec but still vibrating, the pads might need to be bedded in properly (a few hard stops from 40-50 mph, repeated several times). Also check your wheel balance — sometimes that can cause similar symptoms. But 9 times out of 10 with your description, it's the rotors.