why does my Volkswagen Tiguan shake when I brake?

Solution

1. Preparation

• Gather necessary tools and parts.
• Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
• Disconnect the battery for safety (if working on electronic braking components).

2. Remove Wheel

• Use a lug wrench to loosen the wheel lug nuts slightly.
• Raise the vehicle with a jack and secure it with jack stands.
• Remove the wheel to access brake components.

3. Inspect and Replace Brake Pads

• Inspect Brake Pads:
  • Remove the caliper bolts with a socket wrench.
  • Slide the caliper off the rotor and support it with a bungee cord (do not let it hang by the brake line).
  • Check the thickness of the pads; replace if below minimum specifications (usually 3mm).
• Replace Brake Pads:
  • Remove old pads and install new pads, ensuring they are properly seated.

4. Inspect and Resurface/Replace Brake Rotors

• Inspect Rotors:
  • Measure rotor thickness with a micrometer and check for warping using a dial indicator.
• Resurface/Replace Rotors:
  • If rotors are within spec, they can be resurfaced; if not, replace with new rotors.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s specifications for torque values when installing new rotors.

5. Reassemble and Test

• Reattach the caliper and secure with bolts to specified torque.
• Reinstall the wheel and lug nuts, and lower the vehicle.
• Tighten lug nuts to specified torque value after lowering the vehicle.
• Reconnect the battery and perform a test drive to check for improvements.