What are the main causes of brake judder
Tuesday 6th June 2023
Experiencing brake judder while you’re driving can be a nerve-wracking and scary experience if happens to you unexpectedly, but what exactly is brake judder? In this guide, we’ll explain what brake judder is, what causes it and what you should do if you experience it.
What is brake judder?
Brake judder is simply a pulsing or vibrating sensation that occurs in the brake pedal or steering wheel when applying pressure to the brakes. You may also feel brake judder through your suspension system and it can vary in intensity, from a slight vibration to a violent judder.
Is brake judder dangerous?
While brake judder itself is not dangerous on its own, your brakes shaking and juddering could be caused by underlying issues with your car’s braking system. This could be dangerous and affect your vehicle’s braking efficiency.
Remember, if you have any concerns with your brakes, the best thing to do is to book your car for a free brake check, where our fully trained specialists will be happy to carry out a comprehensive brake inspection completely free of charge.
What causes brake judder?
Brake judder is caused by an uneven distribution of friction between your brake pads and brake discs. This uneven friction can be caused by one or more of the following reasons.
- Uneven wear on your brake discs: Your brake discs can wear unevenly over time, this could be caused by a number of reasons, such as exposure to heat, unusual usage patterns or aggressive braking.
- Solution: if your brakes disks have uneven wear patterns, they may either need to be resurfaced or replaced. If the brake discs are excessively worn or damaged, they should be replaced.
- Warped brake discs: Your brake discs can become warped if exposed to extreme heat or friction. Aggressive braking can potentially cause warped brake discs, as can driving through deep water and then applying your brakes.
- Solution: Similarly to uneven wear, the brake discs should be resurfaced if experiencing minor damage, or they should be replaced if they are suffering from extensive damage.
- Brake pad deposits: The friction and heat caused by braking can cause material deposits on the brake disc which causes an uneven surface on the brake disc.
- Solution: Resurfacing the brake discs can restore the smooth surface leading to cleaner braking.
- Caliper issues: If your brake calipers are sticking or have an uneven application, it can cause brake judder. For example, if your brake caliper has seized up it can result in one brake pad rubbing against the disc continually, leading to brake judder, and can even damage your braking system.
- Solution: If your brake caliper is sticking or applying uneven pressure, they may need repairing. Calipers should also be properly cleaned and lubricated to ensure they are in good working order.
- Brake system contamination: Substances like oil, grease or brake fluid can cause problems if it ends up in between your brake pad and brake disc as it can interfere with the friction needed to bring your car to a stop.
- Solution: Any contamination of the brake system will need thorough cleaning and inspection. Any contaminated parts may need to be replaced if cleaning is not sufficient. The cause of the contamination needs to be addressed and repaired to prevent it from happening again.
Identifying the exact cause of brake judder should be carried out by a qualified mechanic or brake specialist. With over 50 years of experience, you’re in safe hands with Formula One Autocentres. Our expert mechanics are trained to carry out a full inspection of your brakes, and should we find any problems, we’ll provide you with a competitive quote for any repairs or replacements. If you have any other worries about your brakes, such as squeaky brakes, check out our helpful guide.
Book your free brake check for peace of mind. Or, find your nearest Formula One Autocentre today!
