Reasons and Solutions for Brake Shudder & Abnormal Noise

The brake system is the most critical component of a vehicle. A car may not run quickly, but it must be able to stop quickly

Many people feel that the steering wheel shakes or makes an Abnormal Noise when you press the brakes at high speeds. What are the problems? How to fix it? Today, we are going to write some knowledge about: How can we solve the problem of braking at high speeds?

High-speed brake steering wheel shudders are not necessarily the cause of the brake pads:

Sometimes, when driving at high speeds, the brakes are applied, and we may feel the steering wheel jerks, especially when braking hard. It is because of uneven wear of the brake discs. A furrow effect (scratches on the disc surface) may occur during brake pad-to-disc friction and, if the furrow effect is severe, may cause brake discs to shake during braking.

Also, after braking, the brake disc temperature is higher because the brake pads and discs rub against each other to convert kinetic energy into heat. However, if the brake discs come into contact with cold water when the brakes are at high temperatures, there is a high possibility of uneven thermal expansion. At this point, the brake disc will produce a certain amount of irregular shape, which can also cause braking judder. Such a solution is very simple. You can go to a specialized auto repair factory or a 4S store to change or grind the brake discs.

If this is not the case with the brake discs, then you need to consider the four-wheel alignment of the vehicle. If the car also deviates during acceleration or constant speed driving, we recommend to do a four-wheel positioning and dynamic balancing first, and then try to see if the brake will shake.

There is a sharp voice when braking; you should change the brake pads!

When driving at high speeds, we sometimes hear screeching sound when braking when this kind of abnormal noise occurs, it often comes from the brake pads, they are making a sound prompt: “the brake pads are not thick enough now, you should change them!”

For many high-end cars, a brake pad wear sensor will be included in the trip computer. When it is necessary to replace it, it will automatically alert you. Ordinary cars also have a warning, which is screeching. Behind the friction blocks of the brake pads is a metal material. If the friction blocks are used up, it is the metal that comes in direct contact with the brake discs. Metal-metal friction can also play a braking result. However, the friction force is far lower than the regular friction blocks. This will not only cause the brakes to softer and heat to reduce weight but may also cause excessive wear on the brake discs.

Brake oils which are easily overlooked are often the top priority

On high-speed, everyone has heard of “water tank boiling,” but have you heard of “brake boiling”? On high-speed mountain areas, there are often longer than 10 to 20 kilometers downhill sections. At this point, many car drivers prefer to apply the brakes. This type of braking is not a problem, but it is more important to pay attention to the performance of the brakes

Here, brake oil is essential as the transmission medium of the brake system. When the brake system is working, Brake disc and brake pads rub against each other, converting kinetic energy into thermal energy. Heat is also transferred directly into the brake system, which causes the temperature of the brake oil to increase.

If moisture is mixed in the brake oil, the coefficient of thermal expansion is reduced, and the boiling point is lowered. When the amount of water in the brake oil reaches or exceeds 3%, the brake heat attenuation becomes apparent. Not only will the brake force become weaker over a long distance, but also the braking performance will fade even when connected to an average high speed. At this point, our choice is to find a reliable repair workshop to replace the brake oil in the brake line.

In addition, if the brakes become light and if the brakes do not bounce back after being applied, the brake oil may have leaked. At this point, we should also go to a reliable repair workshop, fix a brake system problem in time, and replace brake oil.

If the brake pedal becomes unusually heavy, the vacuum booster pump may have problems. According to the international standard, the brake pedal needs to be pressed down at a specified number of pounds even without vacuum assistance. Therefore, whether it is a flameout or a problem of the vacuum booster pump, it is not “no brake available,” as long as you step hard, you will be able to brake.

Useful Tips

As a critical component in a car, the brake system can save lives in an emergency. So, by sharing this post, we have not only explained how to detect and fix some of the brake system problems, but also, we hope we all remember that when the brake system is not working well, do fix it in time!