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Gene Messer Volkswagen can help you identify why your car shakes when you brake.
One of the unnerving feelings is when you notice your car shake when driving. Is it a nail in my tire, did that pothole hurt my suspension, or do I have a busted driveshaft? There are several components that may be the reason the vehicle is shuddering, and the amount of the potential damage can vary greatly. The most probable cause of the vibrating most often happens in the vicinity of your tires and rims. They plant the vehicle to the road, and if anything is out of alignment, will notice. It may be something like a broken transmission mount or a broken control arm. These more major failures might leave you with a broken can on the side of the road.
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If you recently installed different wheels and tires, your car vibrating could be caused by the wheels and tires not getting balanced correctly. Tire balancing ensures the weight of the tire and wheel is. If you feel the tire vibration when you are driving, it could very well be an unbalanced tire. If the tires and wheels are balanced, but the car is still shaking, ensure the tire pressure is correct, and check to make sure the lugnuts are fully tightened and make sure the tire pressure is correct. If your tires are the root of the shudder, you should have it looked at immediately.
If your vehicle shakes when you brake, that is a pretty strong indicator that you might want to have your brakes checked out. The most likely reason for your steering wheel shudder is warped brake rotors. When a driver pushes down on the brake pedal, brake pads squeeze the brake rotors to stop your vehicle. A smooth brake rotor surface provides smooth braking. A warped brake rotor surface will cause shakes when braking, like how a brick road feels bumpier than a highway. Other possible causes of the shaking include stuck calipers or damaged shocks. If you feel your steering wheel start to wobble, bring it to us, and we’ll check it out.
If your car is shuddering before you ever start driving, then you likely have some broken parts. The most obvious causes of a car shaking at idle are:
A Worn Driveshaft – If damaged or not perfectly balanced, it could cause shudders
CV joints That Have Gone Bad – Working in conjunction with the drive shaft, cv joints get the engine power to the wheels and tires and, if damaged, can be the source of the car shaking.
Failed Engine Mounts – As the name implies, these parts help affix the engine to the car. If they are broken or even damaged, it can let the engine vibrate.
If you have felt a shudder in your car, then bring it in, and we’ll inspect it for any trouble spots. Our knowledgeable technicians will diagnose the cause of the shudder and provide you with options to get you back on the road.
Gene Messer Volkswagen is an ideal place to get Volkswagen service in the Lubbock area. We happily service all vehicle makes and models. One of our factory-trained technicians will inspect your car or truck to determine if there are any needed repairs and will suggest the best resolution for you and your vehicle. Schedule your Atlas service online or in person today.
