If you find your Volkswagen Golf ‘s steering wheel shakes or vibrates when you press the brakes, it is almost always the brake rotors that are the cause of the problem. There are plenty of other issues that can cause the steering wheel to wobble.
Full Answer
Why does my Volkswagen Golf shake when idle?
Your Golf’s engine creates vacuum when running. This vacuum is carefully controlled. If the vacuum system gets a leak, it will cause a shake when idle. A vacuum leak can be caused by a bad vacuum hose, intake manifold gasket, and other vacuum powered accessories.
Why does my steering wheel shake when I brake?
Because the brakes mount to the wheel hub, which mounts to the steering knuckle, you may also feel shaking in the steering wheel. Some vehicles still have drum brakes in the rear.
Why do my brakes vibrate when I brake at high speeds?
Some vehicles still have drum brakes in the rear. With this design, when the driver presses the brake padel, a pair of brake shoes are forced outward against a brake drum, creating friction. Brake drums that are worn out of round can cause a shaking/pulsation sensation when the brakes are applied.
Why does my Volkswagen shake when I brake?
Reasons for Brakes Shaking In your car's braking system, the brake caliper puts pressure on the brake pad. Then, the brake pad pushes down on the brake rotor, which brings the wheel to a stop. If the rotor becomes warped from excessive heat or unequal pressure from either side, the vehicle will shake.
Why does my car shake and vibrate when I brake?
Why a Car Shakes When Braking. In a vehicle with disc brakes, the most likely cause of shaking is a warped or otherwise damaged rotor. Warping can be a consequence of normal wear. The repeated application of the brake pad onto the rotor will wear away the rotor material in that contact area.
How do I stop my car shaking when I brake?
An auto mechanic may be able to adjust, shim or resurface the rotors to compensate for the unevenness, but replacing them is a surer bet, and a relatively easy DIY job for those comfortable under the hood, too. And, some mechanics recommend that you always replace rotors and brake pads at the same time.
How do you fix brake shudder?
Using overly severe tightening torque on the positioning screw leads to vibrations throughout brake application. THE SOLUTION: Replace the rotors, avoiding excessive tightening torque.
How expensive is it to replace rotors?
Rotors cost between $30 and $75 each. Labor to replace rotors and pads is around $150 to $200 per axle. Brake pads and rotors come out to around $250 to $500 per axle.
How do I know when my rotors are bad?
How to Tell if Rotor Is Bad (15 Bad Rotor Symptoms)Vibration in the steering wheel.Pulsating brake pedal.Intermittent brake noises.Grinding when hitting brakes.Screeching after brake pad installation.Out-of-round rotors.Deep grooves or score marks.Cracked rotors.More items...
Reasons a Volkswagen Golf Shakes When Braking
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Golf shakes when braking are bad brake rotors, bad brake pads, or a bad wheel bearing.
Volkswagen Golf Shaking When Braking Repair Symptoms
Here are a few common symptoms of worn-out brake pads: Low brake pad warning light is on: Not all vehicles are equipped with this system, but if yours is, this dashboard indi... Read More
How much vibration does a 2012 Golf have?
I have read this string with interest. My 2012 Golf has a very noticeable vibration between 28-45 MPH with mild to heavy throttle. The vibration mabifests itself only when traveling straight. In a turn the vibration diminishes to the background movements of the vehicle.
Why do brake rotors vibrate?
If the guide pins are sticking a bit the brake pads can rub slightly and with the fact that brake rotors are rarely perfectly flat you will get a noticable vibration - especially at speed, sometimes accompanied with an oscillating noise like you describe.
Can you hear a scratching noise on a rear wheel?
There are a few video's below showing the measurements, in one of the video's you can clearly see the bend in the driver rear rim as the wheel rotates. You'll hear a scratching noise from the dial indicator rubbing on the inside of the rim, so there isn't something terribly wrong with the bearings. You may also hear a few swear words. In fact, it's probably best to just mute the audio unless you like listening to something similar to nails on a chalkboard
