I just bought this car and have never driven an AWD before, so I don't know if I should attribute the problem to that.....
About 50% of the time as I'm coming to a stop, the steering wheel jerks really hard and I have to grip it to keep from swerving. The car is an automatic. What could this be?
If this only happens when you are applying the brakes it could be a stuck brake caliper or something else to do with the braking system. To narrow it down go for a drive with frequent repeated stops to get the brakes warm. Check the amount of heat coming from each of the wheels and compare them side to side. If a brake caliper is seized, the wheel on the opposite side of the pull should be much hotter than the wheel on the side of the pull. (If it pulls to the left and the the right brake is much hotter than the left, the right brake caliper is stuck. I usually use an infra red thermometer and check the temps of each brake rotor to determine the problem. If you find that is the problem, change the brake pads, rotors and make sure to clean and lubricate all the moving parts on the caliper.
It is possible that they might not been able to see a problem with the caliper, if there is one, without driving it and getting the brakes hot.
It could also be a foreign object stuck somewhere in the brake caliper or something else preventing the brake from applying pressure to the rotor. If you purchased this car from a private owner I would suggest bringing it to a reputable shop where the technician can bring you in to show you what the problem is before they attempt to fix it. Depending on the state in which you live, this car may have a warranty if you purchased it from a licensed dealer. If you did buy it from a dealer, give them a chance to fix it before you bring it somewhere else.
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thank you, that was very detailed! Since I'm a chick without all the necessary tools to do that :).....maybe I should take it in.
Also, I should add that I took it in for a brake check right after I bought it ( 2 weeks ago) just to make sure it was safe for winter and they told me my brakes looked great. Would they have been able to see if a brake caliper was stuck?
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