August 11, 2021
A vibrating brake pedal is a common concern, and it’s never a good idea to ignore this issue. Your brakes are the most important safety feature on your vehicle and maintenance is needed to keep them operating properly.
I recommend taking your vehicle to a BG Shop to be inspected and repaired as soon as possible. Talk to a trusted automotive professional if you have any questions or concerns.
If you’re experiencing brake vibration, take a look at these top 4 frequently asked questions.
First, if you’re slamming on your brakes, it could be your anti-lock brake system (ABS). If that’s the case, this is totally normal and actually a safety feature.
But if you’re not slamming on your brakes, there are many reasons your brake pedal will vibrate, and it’s usually a sign of a broken or worn-out component that needs to be replaced, such as pads, rotors, calipers, suspension, tire, or alignment issue. Any of these reasons can be dangerous, and the longer you wait to get it fixed, the more dangerous it can be.
Brake pads—On average, car brake pads last about 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Excessive force from slamming on the brakes or high-speed braking can quickly diminish the integrity of the brake pads. If your brakes are squeaking, taking longer to stop than normal, or if braking causes the vehicle to shake, it is time to have your brake pads inspected.
Brake Rotor/Brake Disc—Brake rotors also wear out, and they must meet a certain thickness requirement to be considered safe. If they are thinner than the manufacturer’s recommended thickness, then they need to be changed ASAP! Also, over time brake rotors become uneven or warp from the heat. A warped rotor is one thing that could be contributing to your brake vibration.
Worn Suspension Components—If your vehicle’s brakes have been checked out, then the vibration could be a sign there is a problem with your suspension. Worn out parts such as ball joints, tie rods, shocks, struts, or steering stabilizer, etc. could need replaced. Fortunately, most of these fixes are easy if they aren’t ignored. Have an automotive technician diagnose any suspension problems.
Tire/Alignment—Vehicle vibrations can also come from worn out tires and/or vehicle alignment problems. Out-of-balance tires or alignment problems can contribute to vehicle vibrations as well as uneven and rapid tire wear. It is recommended to have your tires checked, balanced, and alignment checked.
Brake vibration can be serious. If at any moment you are seeing or feeling something unusual when you brake, take your vehicle to your nearest BG Shop to be inspected by an automotive professional.
A trained automotive professional should perform a full vehicle inspection, possibly test drive the vehicle to try and reproduce the problem, and then provide you with a list of recommended repairs or services.
A trusted automotive professional needs to fully inspect the vehicle to determine the cause of the vibration as there could be a variety of reasons your brakes are vibrating.
Usually, there will be some components that need replacing to remedy your brake vibration. However, BG Products does offer high-quality brake fluid and tools to improve the performance and extend the life of your brake system. A brake fluid service is always recommended when performing brake system repairs. This fluid service will ensure that your brake fluid meets all DOT specifications and will also help extend the life of your brake system components.
BG Brake Service:
A trained professional will inspect the brake system for leaks, master cylinder corrosion, worn pneumatic parts, harmful varnish buildup, broken or rusted bleeder valves, worn rotors and drums, and air in the brake lines. The service also replaces the old, contaminated fluid from the entire brake system and replaces it with specially-formulated brake fluid proven to prevent corrosion.
BG Stop Squeal® Service:
BG Stop Squeal® eliminates annoying, whining, or squealing brakes. It’s a safe and effective product for eliminating or preventing brake noise.
BG’s high-quality brake products and brake system service will prevent future issues and ensure your vehicle is smoother, quieter, and most importantly, safer.
If your brakes are making noises or vibrating, don’t take any chances and get your vehicle inspected. When it comes to safety, brakes are the most important safety component on a vehicle. Get your brakes fixed immediately, and talk to your automotive professional if you have any questions or concerns. They will guide you in the right direction.
By Cody Lyons
BG Technical Service Manager
Cody has more than 14 years of experience in the automotive industry. He has a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology, a master’s degree in business administration, and is ASE Certified. Cody has been with BG for 9 years and is currently the Technical Service Manager.