What does steering wheel shaking mean

Either as a shimmy, jiggle, or shake. However, because multiple parts can cause this, finding the root cause can be both frustrating and time-consuming for even the most experienced technicians. Here we provide an insight into the main causes, symptoms, and fixes to help you streamline your car repair work. The weight distribution in every tire varies slightly.

To compensate for this, additional weights must be added to the wheel after a new tire is installed. Unfortunately, these weights can sometimes move or fall off, resulting in an unbalanced wheel.

Even in good conditions, unbalanced tires can cause the car to shake while driving at high speeds, starting around 50 to 55 miles per hour, often being most noticeable around 60 mph.

If ignored, unbalanced tire problems can wear out steering and suspension parts faster than normal, cause poor fuel economy, or lead to a blowout when driving the car. If there is a vibration in the steering wheel, do a visual inspection of all wheels and look for any missing wheel weights, uneven tread wear, or bent rims. If any of the wheels show signs of imbalance, take the affected wheel into a technician that has access to a tire balancing machine for repair.

For proper tire maintenance, be sure to rotate the tires on average every 7, miles, or at the very least every two years, and always ask the auto shop to balance a tire after a repair or new installation. Another common cause of steering wheel vibration is the incorrect positioning of the wheels. In most cases, a wheel alignment will stop the shaking by ensuring all wheels are positioned in the same direction. A vehicle out of alignment will often make tires wear unevenly, with the inside tread worn much more than the outside.

If you notice the steering wheel is straight and centered and the vehicle still pulls to either side, the vehicle is likely out of alignment. Wheel alignment is achieved through suspension components, so if there are any suspension issues such as damage either through general wear, driving on rough roads, or an accident, the wheel alignment will most likely be affected. If the steering wheel only shakes while turning, your next go-to part should be the wheel bearing.

Wheel bearings can be worn from driving regularly on rough roads, or damaged from hitting potholes, speed bumps, or curbs at higher speeds. Listen for the noise to get louder. Whichever direction you turned tells you which wheel bearing may need to be replaced. Like your rotors, you should check your calipers every 12, miles. Another reason your steering wheel may shake at high speeds could be your tires.

This is actually one of the most common reasons for steering wheel shakes, and it usually means the tires are either out of balance or out of alignment. If this is the case, you might notice shaking at 50 to 60 miles per hour. There are a wide variety of reasons why steering wheels squeak when turning, but what happens when they shake while turning? It could have something to do with your wheel bearings.

There are multiple components in the system that could be contributing to the shaking. Want a personalized assessment for why your steering wheel shakes and what you can do about it? Visit one of the six auto repair shops in Cleveland, Ohio for for a free estimate! Once you notice the problem, take note of when it gets worse. For example, is it worse at high speeds or low speeds?

All of this information can help a mechanic determine the cause of your shaky steering wheel. This is the most obvious and the most common reason that you might experience a shaking steering wheel.

If your tires are out of alignment or out of balance, they may send shakes through your vehicle and to the steering wheel. The first thing to check in this situation is whether or not all of your tires are properly inflated. If one or more of your tires is flat, it will create a lack of balance that affects your ability to steer the vehicle properly.

If all the tires are inflated to an appropriate level, the next thing to consider is the tread on the tire. If your tires are worn unevenly, you may be able to get them rotated, or you may have to pay for all new tires. Either way, it will be worth it to have your car drive more smoothly and safely. A quick brake inspection at your local Firestone Complete Auto Care can clue you into how much life may be left in your brake pads. The guide pins are part of the brake calipers.

They're in charge of guiding the brake pad to the rotor hence the name. To do their job effectively, these guide pins need to be clean and lubricated. If guide pins become dry or corroded, they could cause the caliper to stick or cause the brake pads to press the rotor at the wrong angle. The result? Vibrations in the steering wheel.

What to do: Inspecting and lubricating caliper guide pins is best left up to professionals, as it involves taking off the caliper, examining the caliper housing, and handling high-temperature grease. Visit your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care for a free brake inspection and if needed, a brake service or repair. What's happening: If you feel a pulsing in the brake pedal and a wobbling of the steering wheel when slowing at highway speeds, your rotors could be signaling trouble.

When you step on the brake and the brake pads press down on the rotors, the rotors become extremely hot. Naturally, this heat can cause the rotors to become worn, warped, and uneven over time. What to do: To get to the bottom of this issue, a technician can do one of two things.