It can sometimes be a frightening experience. You’re following along with traffic and all of a sudden all you see is a sea of taillights. You hit the brakes, only to feel a vibration from your steering wheel. This vibration ultimately stems from your braking system. There are a few components that can contribute to the vibration in your steering wheel.

The first and most common culprit could be worn out rotors. Front brake rotors can warp when in heavy use. This is caused by extreme heat created by friction and pressure applied to the front brake pads and rotors. A heavy braking condition can be caused by driving down a long grade or extreme driving conditions such as racing. When a brake rotor becomes warped it will cause the steering wheel to shake when the brakes are applied.

If the brake rotors are warped it is recommended to replace them. It is possible, but not recommended to re-machine to the rotor (the rotor will be straight but it will have less mass to dissipate heat therefore re-warping is eminent).

The second braking component to check is the lower ball joint. If the suspension lower ball joints are worn it will cause the spindle to wander causing the steering wheel to shake. Lower ball joints are a normal service item and need to be inspected every 40,000 to 60,000 miles.

The third components of your braking system that could cause a vibration in the steering wheel when you apply the brakes are the idler arm and tie rod ends. The idler arm, pitman arm and tie rod ends are normal service items and need to be inspected between 50,000 and 80,000 miles.

If you are experiencing vibrations in your steering wheel when you apply the brakes, be sure to visit the Toyota of Tampa Bay Service Department for a comprehensive check-up of your steering and braking systems.

Source: [2 Car Pros]