Question: Yesterday on my way home from work I noticed my brakes were acting weird. It sort of feels like they’re “skipping”, almost, like my foot is held down with steady pressure, and the brakes get loose and then get firm again. I’m not driving the car until I get to a mechanic, but what can make brakes feel like they are skipping?
Answer: Brake skipping or brake shudder is usually caused by warped brake rotors. Since you’re feeling the “skipping” sensation through the brake pedal, the problem is most likely with your rear rotors. If you were feeling the shudder in your steering wheel, you’d need to have your front brakes inspected.
Warped brake rotors
Warped brake rotors are caused by excessive heat and friction and result in inconsistent contact between the brake rotors and the brake pads, resulting in a pulsing, skipping sensation when you apply the brakes. But it requires more than just heat and friction to warp your rotors—you also need negative factors like frequent hard braking, driving in stop-and-go traffic, riding the brake pedal, towing heavy loads, and other situations that require hard braking.
How to repair warped brake rotors
Warped brake rotors can either be resurfaced or replaced. In the case of a minor warp or damage, you’ll be able to resurface them for a lower cost. For anything more severe, you will have to replace them.
Poor rotor alignment
Imperfect installation of your brake rotors and/or buildup of rust or scale deposits on the hub surface can offset rotor alignment and lead to brake shudder.
How to repair rotor alignment
If the misalignment is caused by rust or scale buildup, all you need is some sandpaper and a bit of WD40 to clean up the hub and create a nice clean surface for the rotor disc to mount on. If the misalignment is caused by something more serious, it’s probably time to head to a mechanic to have it measured and checked out.
Other reasons for skipping brakes beyond the rotor
Typically, brake rotors are the most common cause for skipping or shuddering sensations when applying the brakes on a vehicle—but they’re not the only possible reason. Here are some other common culprits to consider.
Uneven brake pad wear
If your brake pads have become unevenly worn, they may be causing or contributing to the skipping sensation you feel when you hit the brakes. Unevenly worn brake pads create an uneven braking surface, leading to that pulsating skip you feel when braking.
How to repair worn brake pads
Unlike brake rotors, brake pads can’t be repaired. These will need to be replaced.
Air in your brake lines
Air bubbles in your brake lines can cause a number of problems, including an odd vibrating or pulsating sensation in the brake pedal. Your brake pedal may also feel spongy and inconsistent due to interference with the flow of brake fluid.
How to remove air from your brake lines
Bleed your brakes to remove these air bubbles.
ABS malfunctions
Anti Lock Braking Systems (ABS) are meant to stop your wheels from locking up in slippery conditions by pumping the brakes for you. However, a faulty sensor could result in the ABS system engaging without any real cause to do so, creating a pulsating or skipping sensation in the process.
How to repair your ABS system
A mechanic can check whether these sensors have any issues.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car. Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.
