If your vehicle is showing steering wheel shakes or vibrates when braking, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.
The front brake rotors have worn unevenly or warped due to excessive heat. When the brake pads squeeze the uneven surface, it causes the steering wheel to shudder.
If the wheel hub was not thoroughly cleaned with a wire brush or sandpaper during a recent brake job, the new rotor will not sit perfectly flat, causing immediate runout and vibration.
A seized brake caliper or dry slide pins will cause the brake pads to drag against the rotor. This overheats the rotor, leading to warping and severe vibration.
Over-tightening lug nuts or tightening them in the wrong pattern (especially with an impact wrench) can actually distort the brake rotor hat, leading to a pulsing sensation when braking.
Worn rubber bushings in the front suspension allow the control arms to shift backward under braking force. This amplifies normal road feedback into a noticeable steering wheel shake.
Tie rods connect the steering rack to the wheels. If the ball joints on the tie rod ends are loose, the front wheels can wobble slightly when braking forces are applied.
A severely worn wheel bearing allows the entire wheel hub to have excessive play. While usually accompanied by a roaring noise, this play becomes very noticeable as a vibration under braking loads.