There are 5 common causes for your steering wheel shaking, including tires out of balance, problems with brake rotors, worn suspension components, bad wheel bearings and there’s a problem with the axles. Read more to learn how to solve the problems.
Why Your Steering Wheel is Shaking
1. Tires Out of Balance
It is most likely that your steering wheel will shake for this reason, which is also the most obvious one. There may be trembling in your car and shaking of the steering wheel if your tires are out of balance or out of alignment.
If this is the case, you are less likely to notice the shaking at low speeds than you are at high speeds. When you’re traveling at speeds of 50 mph or more, shaking from unbalanced tires is likely to start, though it may start to fade away at higher speeds.
Make sure that all of your tires are properly inflated as a first step in this situation. Your vehicle will be unbalanced and difficult for you to steer properly if one or more of your tires are flat.
The tread on each tire should be taken into account after ensuring that each tire is properly inflated. If the wear on your tires is uneven, you might be able to get them rotated, or you might have to buy brand-new tires. It will be worthwhile in either case to have your car drive more smoothly and securely.
If the tires themselves appear to be in good condition but the issue still exists, it’s possible that the problem lies between the tires and your steering wheel. The tires and steering wheel won’t be able to communicate properly through the drivetrain if, for instance, your axle was damaged in an accident and is now bent or otherwise compromised. This may be the issue if you notice abrupt jerks in the steering wheel.
Last but not least, shakiness brought on by inadequate steering wheel-to-tire control may be the fault of the wheels themselves. If your steering wheel wobbles excessively, it may be an indication that the wheel bearings, tie rod ends, or ball joints need to be repaired. Take note of the times when your car shakes the most so a mechanic can identify and fix the issue. Is driving straight ahead or around corners when the shaking is worse?
Read More: Why Is My Car Smoking Under The Hood?
2. Problems With Brake Rotors
Your rotors may not be round if your steering wheel shakes a lot when you brake. To put it another way, the rotors have begun to deteriorate, lose their shape, and warp. When pressing down on the brake pedal in this situation, you might also experience some vibrations. It’s critical to get this problem looked at as soon as you can because the brakes are a crucial part of your car and they enable you to stop safely.
Vibrations while braking are a sign of a serious issue, even if your brakes have only recently been installed. The vehicle may vibrate as a result of the brake pads failing to effectively clamp together because the rotors weren’t installed properly. Bring your car as soon as you can to the auto shop, and the technicians will examine it to determine whether your brake rotors need to be resurfaced, replaced, or just adjusted.
Another possibility is that the brake pads are to blame. It’s time to examine the pads themselves if the rotor is still in good shape. The braking system is almost certainly the source of the issue if the vibration gets worse when you apply the brakes. The rotors and the brake pads are most likely to blame, but it’s crucial to look into the entire system until the issue is found and fixed.
Read More: How Long Do Car Brakes Last – When Should I Replace?
3. Worn Suspension Components
While driving, suspension and alignment issues can also result in shaking, unlike issues with the tires and brake rotors. Older vehicles are more likely than newer ones to experience shaking due to worn ball joints or tie rods, so if you’ve had the same car for a while, you should pay extra attention to this.
Basically, once you get your car moving at speeds above about 45 mph, the suspension parts can start to become loose and develop play, which causes some pretty severe vibrations to become noticeable. If your vehicle has been experiencing something similar, it is best to put the car in park and have it serviced as soon as you can in order to prevent the issues from getting worse.
4. Bad Wheel Bearings
You may come across this justification on the internet in large quantities. But a car’s wheel bearings failing isn’t something that happens all that frequently. Naturally, there are some exceptions. That wheel bearing is much more likely to fail if you simply bounce the right front tire of a pickup truck over the curb every time you make a U-turn. If this is the problem, you might experience shaking in the steering wheel and the rest of the car.
This is not a problem our authorized service center encounters very frequently because the wheel bearings in the majority of cars will comfortably outlast the rest of the car.
(Read More: What Does L Mean on a Car’s Gearshift – When to Use Low Gear)
5. There’s a Problem With the Axles
Another example of a situation where it appears more frequently online than it actually does is this one. The axles are half shafts because most modern vehicles are front-wheel drives. When these malfunction, you’re much more likely to hear a steady ticking sound when you turn. Although you might feel it in your steering wheel, most problems are audible long before you notice them in your steering wheel or as a shake in the car. There are, however, some instances where a problem with the axles will result in shaking of the steering wheel and even the entire vehicle. Did you know that your wheels and axle are both balanced? Although rear-wheel drive vehicles are more likely to have an unbalanced axle shaft, it can still cause your steering wheel to shake along with the rest of the car.
6: Sticking Brake Caliper
Stuck brake calipers are one unusual reason for the shaking of the steering wheel. Each time you slow down or stop your car, the brake calipers that hold the brake pads lower them. While it is uncommon, brake calipers can become seized (also called “sticky” or “stuck”). Seized brake calipers can impair handling, frequently accompanied by pulling or shaking of the steering wheel. Unlike warped rotors, you will notice this problem while driving rather than while braking.
A stuck brake caliper is what? As the name suggests, this is when your caliper becomes “stuck” to your rotor. Your brake will remain lightly brushed against your rotor when you let go of the pedal rather than lifting, almost as if you were keeping your foot on the brake pedal while you were driving. Naturally, driving with stuck calipers can be difficult; in addition, it is bad for your car’s engine, braking system, fuel efficiency, tires, and other components.
Worn hoses, debris buildup, and do-it-yourself brake installation are a few potential causes of sticking brake calipers. Bring your car to a mechanic as soon as you can if you think your brake caliper may be stuck.
Read More: What Does It Mean When Your Brake Warning Light & How to Fix
How to Diagnose a Shaking Steering Wheel
Although the aforementioned three reasons for a shaky steering wheel are the most frequent, there are other possible causes as well. There are many different engine issues that can cause the whole car to shake, but you might only be able to feel the shake through the steering wheel. These issues could, among other things, be with the fuel delivery, air intake, or spark systems. Take your car to a qualified mechanic as soon as you can if, after reading the list above, you’re still unsure of the cause of your steering wheel shaking.
What to Do When Your Steering Wheel Shakes
Depending on the specific issue, the best exact course of action will vary, but when your steering wheel starts to tremble, there is one thing you should always do: get help right away. The signs and symptoms you’re observing could indicate a serious issue that jeopardizes the durability or safety of your car. Take it to a qualified auto mechanic so they can diagnose the issue and recommend a course of action.
FAQs
Why Does My Car Shake When I Drive over 60 MPH?
When your car vibrates every time you drive at 50-70 mph, it is most likely that your wheels are out of balance. From the steering wheel, through the seat, and through the floor of the car, vibrations will travel.
Is It Safe to Drive With a Shaking Steering Wheel
You might be concerned about driving safety when your steering wheel vibrates in Jackson or Toms River at high speeds or when you brake. You can still drive your car with a shaking steering wheel, but it does indicate that you should speak with an expert technician as soon as possible.
Why is My Steering Wheel Shaking When I Brake
When your rotors become bent, the brake pads will press against an uneven surface when braking, which creates steering wheel shaking. Thankfully, replacing the brake rotors will take care of this.
Why Does My Steering Wheel Shake at Low Speeds
Loose suspension parts (bushings, tie-rod ends, mounting hardware), a worn wheel hub bearing or drive axle CV joint can cause steering wheel vibration, usually at low speed, and likely will be more pronounced when turning into a driveway or when parking.