Q: Car jerking when coming to a stop

asked by on March 14, 2018

The car is jerking when i brake hard but not when braking easy ...there no slip with up shifting did a tranmission flush and put the car in neutral and braked hard it didn't jerk just trying to figure out what can cause this... there no check engine light on

My car has 145000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car pulls to left or right when I brake Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi Samantha. Thanks for sending us a question tonight. Braking hard is very "hard" on vehicle suspension, steering and brake system components, so it’s actually kind of common for a car to jerk a bit when you brake hard. However, sometimes a warped brake rotor or worn out brake pads can cause additional jerking/vibrations to occur when braking hard. If you’d like to have a professional mechanic come to your location and diagnose this issue for you, click this link to request an estimate and set up an appointment.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

ABS and brake light are on.
Anytime the red brake light comes on it means one of two things: a fault in the hydraulic system or a problem with the parking brake. Being that the abs light is on also that would suggest codes for the...
Alternator squeaking
Hi there. Most of the time if the noise is still there after replacing the alternator it is because the squeak is coming from the belt or another accessory. The belt needs to be replaced and the tensioner checked to...
Brakes are not responding correctly
There are many factors that influence the force that the brakes apply to the rotor and drums. The brake booster will multiply the brake applied pressure of your foot pushing on the pedal. If you think the pedal had to...
Do I need to replace the O2 oxygen sensor?
Hi, thanks for writing in. The O2 sensor is responsible for monitoring the exhaust gases (specifically oxygen content) coming out of the exhaust to determine if there needs to be any fuel adjustments to the engine during operation. When this...
I have replaced a failed alternator once a month for the last four months, any suggestions?
Your vehicle has a recall for the alternator cable shorting on the power steering line after the insulation gets rubbed through. The recall is for inspecting and replacing the alternator and alternator wiring. The recommendation I have is to contact...
Wiper problem
Hi there. Check the wiper motor relay and see if its engaging or not. If the relay is not clicking when you turn on the switch, then replace the relay. Even if the relay clicks, its possible that the relay...
Can I swap steering columns? 1996 FORD Ranger
Hello - Probably not. The model was redesigned for 1993, and it's likely the steering column changed at that point. I would check with local recycle companies, and Ford Ranger internet forums for advice from others who may have faced...
drive side (L.H) lower control arm does it have tenssion on it? If so what will i need to get the tension off?
Considerable disassembly is required on this model in order to remove and replace the left lower control arm. Among the many steps in the repair procedure, the steering shaft linkage must be disconnected and the sub frame of the vehicle...
I shifted the lever to drive mode, but it goes to reverse mode. What is the problem?
You are very nearly right. There is a bowden type cable that connects the the shifter to the transmission. It has adjustable ends and one or more of those adjustments has probably worked loose. That or you might need a...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for Families
If If it’s time for you to search for the top used cars specifically for families, check out the list we’ve put together of the top five. The list of must-haves Typical items that families are looking for in their...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Teenagers
If If you’ve decided that you’re ready to purchase a used car for your teenager, then you’re probably pretty picky about what you’re looking for. Likely affordability, safety, and fuel economy are high on the list. With that said we’ve...
How to Quickly Stop a Runaway Toyota Prius
The The Toyota Prius (https://www.yourmhttps://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-drive-a-toyota-prius) is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that uses a combination of a gas-powered engine and an electric motor to propel the vehicle. It is perhaps the most well-known hybrid vehicle on the market and has a...