can help you identify why your vehicle shakes when you brake.
As a driver, one of the worst feelings is when you feel your vehicle shuddering while driving. Is it a nail in my tire, did a giant pothole damage my car suspension, or did I break the driveshaft? There are a few components that might be the cause of your car shaking, and the severity of the potential problems can vary greatly. The most common cause of the vibrating usually occurs near your tires and rims. They connect your car to the road, and if anything is out of alignment, you’re going to feel it. On a serious note, it might be something like a broken control arm or a broken transmission mount. These more major failures may leave you stranded on the side of the road.
READ MORE: What Does It Mean When Your Car Lights Are Flickering?
If you recently bought new tires, then your vehicle shaking could be caused by the wheels and tires not being balanced correctly. Tire balancing ensures the weight of the tire and wheel is. So, if you feel the tire shuddering when you are driving, it may be a tire that isn’t balanced. If the new tires are balanced, but your car is still shaking, check to make sure the lugnuts are fully tightened, and make sure the tires are inflated to the correct air pressure. If you find that your tires are the cause of the shudder, you should get them checked out immediately.
If your vehicle vibrates when braking, that’s a pretty strong indicator that you should have the brakes checked out. The most likely cause of your steering wheel shudder is worn rotors. When drivers press the brake pedal, the brake pads compress against the brake rotors to bring your vehicle to a stop. A smooth rotor surface will give you smooth braking. A warped brake rotor surface will shudder when braking, sort of like how a brick road feels bumpier than an asphalt highway. Other causes of the shaking include frozen calipers or damaged shocks. If you feel your steering wheel start to wobble, bring it in to get checked out.
If the vehicle is shuddering before you ever start driving, then there’s a good chance that you have some broken parts. The most obvious reasons for a car shaking at idle are:
The Driveshaft has Broken – If not perfectly balanced or damaged, it might be the source of the shudders
Failed CV joints – Working together with the driveshaft, cv joints get the engine power to the wheels and tires and, if broken, can be the cause of the car shaking.
Failing Engine Mounts – As the name implies, these components help secure the engine to the car. If they get broken or worn, it can allow the engine to shake under the hood.
If you have noticed a new shudder in your car, then bring it in, and we’ll thoroughly inspect it and diagnose the problem. Our knowledgeable technicians will diagnose the reason for the shaking and get you back on the road.
Group 1 Acura Sugar Land is an ideal place to get Acura service in the Houston 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 MDX service online or in person today.
