What Causes My Car to Shake When I Step on the Brakes?

One Reason is the Season

A car that shakes when you step on the brakes is usually suffering from warped rotors or suspension damage caused by winter potholes. When you hit a deep pothole, the impact can bend metal components or cause your brake rotors to become uneven. This creates a vibration or pulsation that you feel in the steering wheel or brake pedal.

Uneven rotors mean your brake pads cannot make smooth contact with the stopping surface. This doesn't just feel annoying; it actually increases the distance it takes for you to stop in an emergency. In the communities of Omaha, NE and Council Bluffs, IA, the freezing and thawing of roads make these issues very common during the month of February.

Keep Your Rotors Smooth at Mad Hatter Auto Repair

Our team can quickly find the root cause of the shimmy. "A shaking steering wheel during braking is often a safety warning from your rotors that they can no longer provide a smooth, safe stop," says Mad Hatter owner Zach Haver.

Don't ignore the vibration. Book a free winter damage vehicle inspection at one of our Mad Hatter locations in Omaha or Council Bluffs. We offer tiered brake repair service packages starting at $399 to get your ride back to being smooth and safe. In Omaha call (402) 330-2286 and in Council Bluffs call (712) 322-7500. You can also book an appointment online with our easy to use scheduling tool.