Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

My car has excessive vibrating/shaking in steering wheel while driving and you can hear and feel klunking noises coming from the front end on the drivers side, under your feet. I also have uneven tire wear on the inside of both front tires. My mechanic says that I have bad brake calipers and they are sticking, which is causing the vibrations. The brakes work fine, no noises while braking and no swaying/pulling to one side.

My car has 260000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
This may very well be caused by the uneven wear on the front tires. When uneven tread is subjected to various road conditions or braking power, this will definitely cause a vibrating or shaking feeling. This may also be caused by warped brake rotors. As you may know, when you press on your brake pedal, this activates a hydraulic pressure which forces small pistons inside your brake calipers to push the brake pads against the brake rotors which is what causes the stopping power you are familiar with.

When this happens, an enormous amount of heat is generated due to the friction between the brake pads and rotors. As the brake rotors eventually cool down and then heat up again the next time you press on the brakes, over time this can cause them to warp slightly causing very small low spots on the surface of the brake rotor. When this happens and the brake pads are applied again to the rotors, this causes an uneven surface (on the rotor) to be applied to the flat surface brake pad, which is what causes the vibration or shaking you describe. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose your brake system to properly repair.

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A stuck brake caliper can also cause brake vibration. The caliper is the device that the brake pads are attached to, and a caliper pushes the brake pads to take hold of the rotors when you apply the brakes. Calipers can get stuck and when they do, you`ll experience shaking or a powerful pull to one side or the other.
Your brake rotors work in tandem with your brake pads to stop your wheels, and a damaged or warped brake rotor is the most common reason for shaking or squeaking when braking. With time, rotors age, and braking wears them thinner and thinner.
The Shaking is Your Brake Calipers Sticking

The fluid creates hydraulic pressure which forces the caliper to press the pads. If you feel the vibration only in the steering wheel, it could be the calipers sticking and failing to press the pads against the rotors.

Some signs that your vehicle may have a bad brake caliper can include abnormal noise, reduced braking ability, fluid leaks, or the feeling that your vehicle is pulling to one side. Unlike brake pads that should be replaced consistently, calipers ought to last with the vehicle.
Problem 1: Warped Brake Rotors

When your brake pads are pressing against a warped rotor, this will cause shaking or vibrations to run through your vehicle. Beyond just the inconvenience of shaking, this can raise safety concerns and create trouble for your brakes.

Brake pads that are worn, damaged, or warped, may cause vibrations along with a squeaking sound that indicates brake pads require replacement. Similarly, brake pads that are soiled from dirt, oil, or other toxins can cause vibrations as they attempt to grasp the rotor.
The wheels are out of balance or loose. Both loose lugs nut or unbalanced wheels can cause the steering wheel to vibrate, usually becoming noticeable at a certain speed. The shaky steering will typically not be noticeable 5 mph below that speed or 5 mph above that speed.
The most obvious reason for your steering wheel vibration is warped rotors. When drivers push down on the brake pedal, pieces of metal called brake pads compress against the brake rotors to create friction which will then bring your vehicle to a stop. If you want smooth braking, you need a smooth surface.
The biggest reason for this shaking problem is the condition of your rotors – the disc your brake pad clamps down on when you apply your brakes. Most commonly, the vibration happens because the rotors have some kind of imperfection on their surface or they have changed shape (warped) over time.
The brake pedal and steering wheel may shake or pulse as a result of the warping or unevenness of the rotors that can happen when they overheat.
Caliper guide pin bolts typically need a 13 mm wrench to remove. It is a rookie mistake to go nuts on these bolts and break the heads off. Typically, these bolts require only 25 to 35 ft. -lbs.
If the brake caliper on a wheel is faulty and causing it to stick, then it can cause car vibrations. In this particular situation, the steering wheel will be what vibrates as you reach about 40-50 miles per hour. The vibrations will get worse as you continue to accelerate at higher speeds.
A problem with the car brakes can also cause a vibrating car, and it is easy to detect it. You drive the car at high speed and step on the car brakes to see the brake disc`s problem.
Worn Wheel Bearings

The wheel bearing hub assembly contains the brake rotors, which are connected right to it. If you have a worn wheel bearing, it can cause you to feel vibrations when braking. You`ll want to replace the wheel bearing or bearings that are worn.

The brake disc developing disc thickness variation (DTV) over time, is the most common cause of judder. Disc thickness variation is when the disc has worn unevenly, causing the two friction surfaces of the disc to no longer be parallel with each other. This is often confused with disc warping.
Any unusual shaking or vibrating forces coming from the engine is cause for concern. It could be something as simple as old spark plugs producing an uneven power delivery, it could be something serious like worn or broken engine mounts, or it could be even more serious in the case of internal engine damage.
When your car vibrates every time you drive at 50-70 mph, it is most likely that your wheels are out of balance. The vibrations will emanate from the steering wheel across the seat and through the vehicle`s floor.
Common signs include the vehicle shaking when driving, steering feeling loose, and choppy steering while driving.
If you feel that your steering wheel is shaking, it could potentially be a worn steering rack problem. The vibration is especially noticeable when you are driving on uneven roads, like on a construction road. You don`t have to speed for the vibration to manifest itself, just regular driving speed would do.
Car/Steering Wheel Shakes Between 50-60 MPH – If you`re feeling a strong vibrating feeling in your steering wheel as you approach highway speeds, then it`s likely that your tires are out of balance and need to be rotated or aligned.
Tire Problems

Tires are one of the most common causes of car vibrations. One of the possible issues are out-of-balance tires. Your problems may not be noticeable at slow speeds, but the shaking will intensify as you accelerate to 55-60 miles per hour. The steering wheel, or even the entire car, will start to vibrate.

If one side is damaged, then replace the calipers on both sides. If only one caliper is replaced, you may experience brake imbalance between the front wheels and tires. The new brake caliper may apply the brake pads to the rotor more quickly than the older caliper.
A technician can spot the early warning signs of a failing caliper – corrosion, dirt buildup, leak, reluctant guide pins, and more – before they become a major issue. If a caliper already has problems, the technician might notice uneven brake pad wear resulting from a caliper that is either stuck open or stuck closed.
If the piston is scored or pitted beyond repair, your customers will have to replace the caliper. While caliper rebuild kits are an affordable solution that may prolong the life of the braking system, these kits can only repair limited issues that may affect a caliper over its lifetime.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?
ANSWER : This may very well be caused by the uneven wear on the front tires. When uneven tread is subjected to various road conditions or braking power, this will definitely cause a vibrating or shaking feeling. This may also be caused by warped brake rotors. As you may know, when you press on your brake pedal, this activates a hydraulic pressure which forces small pistons inside your brake calipers to push the brake pads against the brake rotors which is what causes the stopping power you are familiar with.

When this happens, an enormous amount of heat is generated due to the friction between the brake pads and rotors. As the brake rotors eventually cool down and then heat up again the next time you press on the brakes, over time this can cause them to warp slightly causing very small low spots on the surface of the brake rotor. When this happens and the brake pads are applied again to the rotors, this causes an uneven surface (on the rotor) to be applied to the flat surface brake pad, which is what causes the vibration or shaking you describe. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose your brake system to properly repair.

Read Full Q/A … : Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

Can front wheel drive car engine power rear wheel drive
ANSWER : Anything is possible with enough engineering. The changes you are looking at would take major structural changes and would definitely not be an easy job. You could possibly consult a manufacturing engineer to get more details on how this could actually be carried out and whether it would be feasible.

Read Full Q/A … : Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

What’s causing steering wheel vibration?
ANSWER : Hello. If you suspect a rotor is warped or has thickness variation, you can quickly determine this by using a dial indicator to measure the runout of the rotor as installed on the car. The run out should only be a couple or several thousandths of an inch.

If the suspension is not "tight", you can get vibrations of all sorts when you apply the brakes. So you have to check the tie rod ends, ball joints, wheel bearings, strut mounts, and so forth for play that is beyond specification.

If the issue is a defect in the rotors, one way to avoid defects is do not buy rotors made in China (see Federal Mogul press release in last 5 years warning consumers about this). The best rotors will be those supplied by Nissan. Otherwise, buy name brand rotors from a reputable parts store.

Also, if you do not carefully torque the wheel lug nuts with a torque wrench in SEQUENCE, and to the exact value specified in the shop manual, you will distort the rotor mount area of your new rotors thus setting the conditions for the symptom you are describing.

If you would like to have this all looked at for you, have a qualified professional, like one from YourMechanic, inspect the steering vibration to ensure the correct repairs are made.

Read Full Q/A … : Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

severe steering wheel vibration at speeds above 60 mph, but not below 60, and severe vibration during braking.
ANSWER : If you can wiggle the tire side to side then you either have a problem with inner or outer tie rod ends. You may have both of them that are bad. This will allow the side-to-side movement, but brake rotors that are warped is the fault that may be responsible for the wobbling. You should have the tie rod inner and outer joints checked and replaced. Also check the rack and pinion bushings to make sure they are properly in place. If you need help with any of this, a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect your vehicle’s vibration issue.

Read Full Q/A … : Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

Brake sensor is to sensitive causing brakes to flicker while driving. 2005 Mercury Montego
ANSWER : Hi there – your brake light switch needs a minor adjustment. It is adjusted too "tight" or close to the brake pedal lever, or possibly has failed. Adjusting/replacing it will eliminate this flickering problem. I recommend a brake light isn’t working inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

Read Full Q/A … : Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

Hard braking causes steering wheel to shake
ANSWER : It seems that you may be correct. I am here to help and hopefully find your issue. Find a road where you can get up to around 30-40 miles per hour and lightly press on the brakes. Press on them enough to where you will stop within 100 yards, so not too hard. Hold steady pressure and see if at some point you feel the brakes let off and come back again. If this happens the you will know you have warped rotors. I would suggest replacing your pads and rotors at this point. However, don’t stop there. Let’s look under your hood. Is your brake fluid low? If so, fill it. Let’s look at your power steering fluid and fill it up if it is low. Make sure you use the correct fluid. You probably want to jack your car up for these next steps. Let’s look at your steering components, do you see any torn boots on your upper or lower balljoints? Look at your tie rod ends and see if they are dry or torn, and then we want to look at the rotors now. Do you see any excessive wear on your rotors? Run your finger nail across them, did your finger stop at some point or do they look excessively rough? If so, I would again replace the rotors and pads on the front. I hope these few things will help you find your problem and get your car back to where you feel a little more safe again. If you need help replacing the rotors, I recommend having a certified mechanic from YourMechanic come to your home or office.

Read Full Q/A … : Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

Steering wheel does not center
ANSWER : The problem to me sounds like you have worn out bushings that hold the power steering rack and pinion assembly. This is why your steering wheel gets off center in the direction of the turn. Have the steering inspected and the bushings replaced if they are bad. You should have no problems then.

Read Full Q/A … : Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

I own a 2000 f150 lariat 4 x4. 5.4 l. Started getting a loud grinding noise front passager brakes. Replaced brakes and wheel
ANSWER : Hi there. While using junkyard or used parts (especially brake or suspension parts) is highly discouraged and can cause major damage, it is unlikely that they caused the aluminum wheel to split in half. In most cases, this is caused by hitting a pothole or other obstruction in the road. A glancing blow against a blunt object like a curb can also cause this type of damage. However, if the brakes came apart or a brake component broke, it could in theory cause the same damage. My advice to you is to not drive the vehicle further until you’ve replaced the brakes and wheels with new components for safety.

Read Full Q/A … : Will bad brake calipers cause excessive vibrating in steering wheel while driving?

Eric smoalih

I am a certified master technician with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and I have been working as an auto mechanic for over 15 years. I am passionate about my work, and I take great pride in helping people keep their cars running smoothly.