Steering wheel shaking and juddering under braking

[Chris Mc]

Hi guys it been a while since I posted, i have a quick question  im hoping you will be able to point me in the right direction. i put a new set of front break pads on about 6 weeks ago,  we then went to france for the last three weeks  and the last week there when driving  on the motorways  when I started to break from either 70, 60, 0r 50  the steering wheel  starts to shuddering and the vibration was  terrible the car still breaks ok.  i was wondering if  you had experienced something similar and if so how did you sort it.  i dont know if its  new discs  required,  or brake calliper's of even a problem with the drive shafts.  Any ideas as too how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

 

Chris

[Baz]

It sounds to me like warped brake discs.

[Rojie]

6 hours ago, Chris Mc said:

Hi guys it been a while since I posted, i have a quick question  im hoping you will be able to point me in the right direction. i put a new set of front break pads on about 6 weeks ago,  we then went to france for the last three weeks  and the last week there when driving  on the motorways  when I started to break from either 70, 60, 0r 50  the steering wheel  starts to shuddering and the vibration was  terrible the car still breaks ok.  i was wondering if  you had experienced something similar and if so how did you sort it.  i dont know if its  new discs  required,  or brake calliper's of even a problem with the drive shafts.  Any ideas as too how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

 

Chris

 

What brand pads did you fit ?

[Chris Mc]

Hi Rojie, I fitted   Toyota OEM from local dealer

[Chris Mc]

7 hours ago, Baz said:

It sounds to me like warped brake discs.

don't know Baz its the weirdest thing, I trying t think if I had  worn CV joints would that cause it as well, I reckon the simplest thing would be to.  firstly check the callipers are working ok, and if so put on a set of discs to see if that's works.

[James]

Check tyre pressures?

[John Harrison]

You need new discs!

I got a set from Auto Jap Spares about 3 years ago for about 20 to 40 quid. Probably about £60 now, but company will advise type!

 

John Harrison. Wallasey

[CamelX]

I had stuck calipers on a VW that had a similar shuddering. The clue was when one of the caliper winding presses took a huge about of effort to wind back. (plus the plastic vw wheel bolt covers melted)

[Dave 400]

Mine was doing the same replaced discs and pads all sorted it was warped discs

[Alphard Club]

On 9/19/2025 at 3:17 PM, Chris Mc said:

Hi guys it been a while since I posted, i have a quick question  im hoping you will be able to point me in the right direction. i put a new set of front break pads on about 6 weeks ago,  we then went to france for the last three weeks  and the last week there when driving  on the motorways  when I started to break from either 70, 60, 0r 50  the steering wheel  starts to shuddering and the vibration was  terrible the car still breaks ok.  i was wondering if  you had experienced something similar and if so how did you sort it.  i dont know if its  new discs  required,  or brake calliper's of even a problem with the drive shafts.  Any ideas as too how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

 

Chris

@Chris Mc I would get the brakes stripped down and cleaned, make sure the calipers are not seized causing overheating on the disks

Then change disks and pads. But the caliper service is important.

Another way is if you have one of those in the ear thermometer for kids, i set mine for body temp, then scan the brakes to see which one is heating up the most. If not, then I do the spit test. Gross yes, but works as you can see which one sizzles the most lol

Or touch the wheel hub for any heat differences. if both radiate lots of heat then a service on them is needed.

Also sounds like calipers have not been retracting from those meaty pads and the overheating on motorways.

I recently changed all 4 pad sets and drove around europe.. the wheels on all 4 sides were really black when we go back, never been black like that on our previous runs, so it shows how much bedding in they need.

[Chris Mc]

cheers for all your helpful reply guys, when I originally changes the pads before the trip I checked out the calipers and re greased the sliding pins,  I ordered a new set of. discs and pads from Toyota oem all in including vat parts guy  who I know did me a deal £239.  so I pick them up the Saturday, depending on the weather  I will update if problem solved  once I get everything fixed.

 

Cheers 

 

Chris 

[BigNev]

Hi Chris!

And also do please ensure to use the right grease in the right area, not copper grease anymore!

 

My apologies if you knew this!

 

Cheers, Nev

Edited Tuesday at 09:48 PM by BigNev