Why Does My Car Jerk When I Brake? Discover What Could Be Causing This Issue

If you’ve ever experienced your car jerking when braking, then you know how unsettling and unsafe it can be. Not only does it feel uncomfortable to have your car jolt around, but it can also put you at risk of an accident or collision.

There are a few possible reasons why your car may jerk when you apply the brakes. Some causes may be minor and easy to fix yourself, while others may require more extensive repairs from a professional mechanic.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the potential culprits behind your jerky braking system so that you can identify the problem and find a solution quickly. We’ll cover common issues like worn brake pads, warped rotors, and malfunctioning calipers, among other possibilities.

“It’s important to pinpoint the cause of your car jerking when braking since driving with faulty brakes is dangerous and risky.”

We’ll also provide some tips on what to look for when inspecting your brakes and advice on when to seek help from a mechanic. Our goal is to give you the information you need to keep your vehicle in good condition and ensure your safety while on the road.

Let’s get started by exploring the different reasons why your car might be experiencing these strange jerks every time you press the brake pedal.

Worn Brake Pads

If you’ve ever experienced your car jerking when braking, it could be a sign of worn brake pads. As one of the most crucial components of your vehicle’s braking system, brake pads provide friction against the metal rotor to stop your car’s wheels from spinning. Over time, these pads wear down and become less effective, causing issues such as reduced braking power or even complete brake failure.

Squeaking Sounds When Braking

If you hear a high-pitched squeaking noise when applying your brakes, this is often a sign that your brake pads are worn out. According to SilverStar Auto – a reputable source for auto repairs – “the sound you hear comes from a small piece of metal called an indicator. It’s purposefully designed to make noise when there’s little padding left on your brake pads.” Therefore, If you’re experiencing this type of sound, it may be time to get your brake pads checked by a professional mechanic.

Reduced Braking Power

When your brake pads have worn down significantly, you might notice that your brakes don’t seem to work as well as they used to. This usually means your brake pads need replacing and should be done immediately. Delaying will only put yourself and others at risk as you wouldn’t be able to bring your car safely to a stop, especially in emergency situations.

Increased Stopping Distance

In addition to reduced braking power, another effect of worn brake pads is an increased stopping distance. You may notice your car needs more time and space to come to a full stop. In case of sudden stops or curve turns, this can be very dangerous and put you and your passengers in harm’s way.

Brake Dust Accumulation on Wheels

If you’ve noticed a dusty, dark powder coating on your wheels, this is usually brake dust caused by worn brake pads. Driving with dirty wheels isn’t simply an aesthetics issue, but can also lead to other problems such as rusting or permanent discoloration of your alloy wheels. Getting the brake pads checked and replaced would be the best way to avoid this issue altogether.

Brake Rotor Issues

If you’ve experienced your car jerking when you apply the brakes, then it may be an indication of a problem with your brake rotors. The brake system in cars consists of various components that must work together for effective stopping power. One critical component is the rotor, which is responsible for slowing down the car’s wheels by gripping on the brake pads.

Warped Rotors

A common cause of car jerking while braking may be warped rotors. Warping occurs when the rotor becomes uneven due to variations in temperature caused by excessive heat buildup from heavy or prolonged braking. This often leads to vibrations and pulsations felt through the steering wheel when applying the brakes at high speeds.

The heat buildup can also cause the metal in the rotor to expand, leading to cracks that could potentially create a more severe issue known as a “hot spot.” A hot spot refers to an area where hotspot creates consistent high temperatures on the brake surface, causing further deteriorating effects’ and long-lasting damage that could lead to replacement of the damaged rotors.

“When rotors become overheated due to frequent or excessively hard braking, they warp, develop ridges and grooves, or form spots called hot spots”- CarGurus

Scoring or Grooving on Rotors

An additional cause of car jerkiness during braking may be scoring or grooving on the rotor’s surface. Scoring happens when debris like rocks or sand particles get stuck between the rotors and brake pads, creating scratches or irregular indentations on the rotor’s surface. These grooves often make the brakes feel grabby or over-responsive, causing them to grab onto the spinning rotor too soon and ultimately causing jerky movements while braking.

In some cases, corrosion may also be the reason behind scoring; corrosion around the edges of the rotor can cause it to become distorted, which makes it hard for brake pads to grip properly. Mechanics have reported that Corrosion on Rotors is typically found in vehicles driven infrequently or after exposure to harsh climates such as salt-filled air.

“Rotors are made with different materials—some more prone to rust and corrosion than others—which can impact the life span of your rotors.”- PopularMechanics

If you experience any symptoms like vibration, pulsation, or jerking while braking, don’t wait till the problem becomes worse. Take your vehicle to a professional mechanic who will inspect and repair the issues causing this problem. Routine maintenance checks would increase longevity and improve the performance of various car components required for smooth driving experiences.

Low Brake Fluid

Hello everyone! Are you wondering why your car jerks when you brake? One possible reason is low brake fluid. The brake system in your car relies on hydraulic pressure to work properly, and this pressure requires an adequate amount of brake fluid. When the fluid level gets too low, you may experience a variety of problems.

Warning Light Illuminates

If you have low brake fluid, you may see a warning light illuminate on your dashboard. This is usually a red or yellow light that resembles an exclamation point inside parentheses. If you see this light come on, it’s important to address the problem as soon as possible. Ignoring a low brake fluid warning could lead to further damage to your braking system and ultimately compromise your safety on the road.

Soft Brake Pedal

Anothe way low brake fluid can manifest itself is through a soft or spongy brake pedal. If there is not enough fluid to create sufficient pressure, the pedal may feel mushy, go all the way to the floor, or require excessive force to bring the vehicle to a stop. If you notice any significant changes in how your brakes feel when you press down on the pedal, it’s critical that you stop driving immediately and seek professional help.

Brake System Failure

Continuing to drive with low brake fluid can lead to complete brake failure. Without enough fluid, the brake system will struggle to provide the necessary pressure to engage your brakes effectively. This means you won’t be able to stop the vehicle quickly, which can result in accidents or injuries. To avoid potential disaster, you should always take low brake fluid seriously and have it addressed as soon as possible.

Leaking Wheel Cylinders

It’s not uncommon for low brake fluid to be caused by a leak in the braking system, specifically with the wheel cylinders. These small devices are responsible for distributing hydraulic pressure to your brakes and maintaining proper stopping power. A faulty or damaged cylinder can lead to a loss of brake fluid and potentially dangerous driving conditions.

“Having properly functioning brakes is critical to keeping yourself and others safe on the road.” -U.S. Department of Transportation

If you suspect that there may be a problem with your wheel cylinders leading to low brake fluid, it’s important to have them inspected by a professional mechanic. They will be able to determine if any repairs need to be made or if the cylinders need to be replaced entirely.

A jerky car while braking may be a sign of low brake fluid. This issue should not be taken lightly as it could result in brake failure which puts you at risk when driving. If warning lights come on or your pedal feels soft, have your braking system checked out immediately before a more serious accident occurs.

Leaking Brake Lines

Reduced Braking Power

If your car jerks when you brake, it may be due to leaking brake lines. This can cause a decrease in braking power and make it harder to stop your vehicle safely. When the brake lines are damaged or corroded, it can cause air to enter into the brake system. Air pockets can form in the brake lines and create problems with the performance of the brakes.

Leaking brake lines can also cause fluid loss, which leads to reduced brake pressure. If you notice that your car takes longer to come to a complete stop, even if you press down hard on the brake pedal, it could mean there is something wrong with the brake lines. Reduced braking power can endanger yourself and other drivers on the road. Therefore, it’s crucial to have this issue fixed immediately by a professional mechanic.

Brake Fluid on the Ground

An obvious sign that your car has a brake line problem is when you see brake fluid on the ground under the car. Brake fluid looks like an oily liquid and usually located near the driver’s side front wheel. Leaking brake lines allow brake fluid to escape from the brake system onto the pavement.

It’s important to know that driving with low brake fluid levels puts you at risk of total failure, so it must get repaired immediately. You should avoid driving the car until you’ve fixed the problem as continuing to drive with depleted fluid levels would lead to dangerous situations”>

Soft Brake Pedal

Another symptom of faulty brake lines is a spongy or soft brake pedal. If your foot sinks to the floorboard or feels mushy, perhaps there is air in the brake system or leaking brake lines. The brake pedal shouldn’t feel slow or require extra effort when pressing down. If you have a robust brake system, the pedal should feel responsive and consistent.

A soft brake pedal is a clear indication that air got into your brake lines. Air in the brakes reduces their ability to function correctly during an emergency stop, making it hard or impossible to bring the car to a halt. This can result in loss of control or worse, a collision. Hence, if you detect this issue with your car’s brakes, take prompt action by seeking the assistance of a professional mechanic as soon as possible.

Malfunctioning ABS System

ABS Warning Light Illuminates

If you notice that the anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light is illuminated on your car’s dashboard, there could be a malfunction in the system. The ABS system uses speed sensors to detect if any tire is locked up during braking. If it detects a lock-up situation, it activates the ABS to release and reapply the brakes repeatedly until the car comes to a stop without losing traction. However, if there is an issue in the system, it can’t function properly, and the warning light will come on.

The possible reasons for this problem include damaged or faulty sensor wiring, defective wheel-detection unit, corroded electrical connections, failed hydraulic pump motor, or contaminated brake fluid. It is better to get the system checked by a certified mechanic as soon as possible because driving with a malfunctioning ABS can make stopping more difficult and dangerous, especially in slippery conditions.

“A flashing ABS light indicates a problem in the antilock brake system itself. Your vehicle’s regular brakes should work fine. In most cases when the ABS light comes on, it’s due to a bad wheel speed sensor.”

-Consumer Reports

Loss of Traction Control

The loss of traction control is another symptom of a malfunctioning ABS system. When the ABS system fails, it also disables the electronic stability control (ESC) or traction control systems. These systems use various sensors like steering angle sensor, lateral acceleration sensor, yaw rate sensor, and others to determine if the car is heading where it is steered and how much grip each tire has, then apply independent braking power to reduce wheelspin and prevent skidding.

A dysfunctional ABS means these subsystems can’t operate effectively, resulting in loss of control over the vehicle when turning, accelerating, or braking. As a result, the car might veer off the road, spin, slide sideways, or experience other handling problems that could lead to an accident.

“A malfunctioning ABS system can cause more than just annoying brake pedal pulsations; it can reduce your ability to stop safely.”

-TireRack

Unresponsive Brake Pedal

If you notice that the brake pedal feels spongy, squishy, soft underfoot, and takes longer than usual to engage after pressing down, it could be due to a problem with the ABS system. The ABS relies on hydraulic pressure to perform rapid pulsations, increase friction between the tires and the ground, and prevent skidding. Still, if there is fluid leakage, air bubbles in the lines, or failure of ABS pump motor or accumulator, the brakes may feel unresponsive or less sensitive.

This condition creates difficulty in stopping the car suddenly, lengthens the stopping distance, and elevates the risk of collisions. If you suspect that your car’s brake pedal isn’t functioning as expected, pull over at the nearest safe location and get help from a professional mechanic immediately.

“If your brake pedal feels soft or ‘spongy’ stop driving and get your ride to a repair shop right away.” -Bridgestone Tires

Frequently Asked Questions