Why does the steering wheel vibrate when braking on the VAZ-2110, Chevrolet Lacetti, Opel Astra? Steering wheel vibrates when braking at speed

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

A car is a vehicle of increased danger. When driving, all controls must be in good working order. However, it happens that the steering wheel vibrates when braking. Opel Astra is also not immune from such a problem. Let's look at the causes of this malfunction and how to fix them.

Wheel balancing

If your steering wheel vibrates when braking at speed, the first thing to sin on is the drive wheels. They may be loose or out of balance. Check the presence of weights on the disk - if one of them has fallen off, the problem can be solved with one visit to the tire shop. You cannot perform this operation yourself. Yes, and it is inexpensive, so first pay attention to balancing. It happens that the weights remained in place, but the disk bent when hitting a pit. In this case, repair will help. In the case of stamped products, they can be aligned without welding.

On castdisks can't do that. By the way, you need to balance all four wheels. At a price it will come out at 1-1, 5 thousand rubles. If this is a passenger car, no more than 50 grams of balancing weights can be hung on each wheel. This will be useful to know when buying new wheels with rubber. If they have a lot of weights on them, this is a reason to doubt the evenness of the disk and the uniformity of tire wear.

Tires

Sometimes runout is caused by uneven tread wear. This is possible with incorrectly set camber. In some cases, motorists deliberately “fill up” the rear wheels if they do not fit in the arch in diameter. In this case, putting them on the front will no longer work, except perhaps with the same negative degree of collapse.

Pads

Next, we inspect the brake system, namely the pads. Since the steering wheel controls the front wheels, we look at the condition of the pads on them. Why does the steering wheel vibrate when braking in this case? The pads wear out a lot. The friction material is worn down to the linings, and then the metal part rubs against the disc. As a result, when braking, the steering wheel vibrates.

VAZ-2110 is equipped with a reliable brake system, but it may also require repair if consumables are not replaced in time. The pads need to be changed every 20-25 thousand kilometers. If you have an aggressive driving style, divide this figure by 2. After installing new pads, run in - for 200 kilometers, brake smoothly and without jerks. This is necessary in order for the new materialstuck to the work surface. Remember that front pads wear several times more often than rear pads.

You can determine wear by notches: when the pads are worn down to them, a replacement is needed. Well, if the friction material has worn down to the metal lining, urgently buy pads, because during the next braking, the caliper can simply jam, and the car will skid. Also, a characteristic creak during braking speaks of the replacement. Sometimes this happens due to poor friction material or when water gets on its surface. After washing the vehicle, dry the brakes thoroughly by briefly depressing the pedal.

Disks

I mean not wheels, but brake discs. They also have their own resource and are considered consumables. Depending on the driving style, they serve from 150 to 200 thousand kilometers. Over time, the thickness of the disc decreases. When the working part is completely worn out, the pad starts to beat against the base.

Of course, after that, when braking, the steering wheel vibrates (on the Chevrolet Lacetti as well). Disk deformations are also not excluded. When braking, the friction force increases - the metal begins to heat up. And if at this moment the car drove through a puddle, the disk may crack due to temperature differences. It sounds intimidating, as if it is about to shatter into small pieces. Even a small crack makes itself felt. If your steering wheel vibrates when braking, pay attention to the condition of not only the pads, but also the disc itself. Sometimes, instead of cracks, it simply “leads”. The work surface becomes uneven. At first glance, you will not see deformations. But for the pads, the slightest tubercle is enough to provoke vibration. If you buy new discs, choose only originals. The kit also includes new brake pads. If you were only sold a disc, this is a reason to doubt the integrity of the seller and manufacturer. Also on fakes, the thickness of the working surface and the weight are much less.

How to check the disk?

To do this, you need to jack up the car and rotate the posted wheel. The car should not be in gear - only the handbrake, otherwise you will not move the disc. If it makes characteristic noises while spinning, disassemble the wheel and inspect the condition of the brake elements.

It is also recommended to check the hub bearing. To do this, you need to shake the wheel back and forth. If there is a lot of play, it should be tightened. But remember that the bearing needs a little free play. If you overtighten, you risk damaging the part. If the wheel is hard to turn, the caliper piston may be stuck. Check its condition and replace if necessary.

Disc Repair

In some cases, this item can be restored. It is repairable as long as there are no cracks. The entire recovery procedure consists in boring the working surface of the disc. It levels out to a perfectly flat state.

But in case of cracks, and if the thickness of the disc is minimal, itchanges entirely. The cost of a new element is from two to ten thousand rubles. You can replace it yourself. But only a professional turner can squander.

Dirty inside

Sometimes sand and dust that has fallen on the working surface of the brake elements can cause vibrations. This happens especially often in rainy weather, when dirt sticks to the disc along with water. Over time, it dries up and forms a hard layer. It can serve as an anti-balance weight, causing your steering wheel to vibrate when braking. Sometimes dirt gets on the inside of the disc or on the wheel shelf. The solution to the problem is high-quality washing of the elements of the brake system under high water pressure.

Tie Rods

If there are vibrations, inspect the tie rods. With wear and tear of the tips, these elements begin to vibrate when braking. How to check them? For this you will need an assistant. He must hold the steering wheel firmly. At this time, you pull the steering rods from side to side (on a jacked up car). There should be no backlash.

If there is free play, this rod must be replaced. Also a sign of a malfunction of the element is poor vehicle handling. The steering wheel becomes "sluggish". After replacing the steering rods, be sure to normalize the alignment to prevent uneven wear of the rubber.

Rail

If there is play in the steering wheel, check the condition of the rack. It can leak through the anther. To fix this, a repair kit is bought. If everything is dry, then the play can be eliminated with an adjusting bolt. But you don't need to push it too hard. If the play is very large, it is better to replace the rail with a new one. Then also balance the wheel alignment.

Ball joint

To diagnose it, hang out the front wheel and grasp the top and bottom of the tire with your hands. If there is play, the ball joint may be defective. There are no adjusting bolts here, as on a rack or wheel bearing. The solution is to replace the element with a new one.

Gimbal drive

Many cars have a small cardan shaft in the steering column. It also needs to be looked at. You can get to it by removing the protective casing of the column. The element is located in the place where it enters the body. If the cardan shaft staggers, it has wear. After replacing this element, the steering wheel no longer vibrates when braking. This does not happen often, but it is not worth excluding such a malfunction.

Other Items

In rare cases, the steering wheel vibrates when braking due to rotten shock absorber mounts. This happens on cars over 20 years old. Also, suspension bushings wear out on such machines. As a result, play and vibration are observed. Work items should not show signs of corrosion and streaks.

Conclusion

So, we found out the main reasons why the steering wheel vibrates when braking. As you can see, in most cases the problem is not critical and is solved in one light day. But this does not mean that it should be postponed until later. Remember that a good steering is a guarantee of the safety of the driver and his passengers.