Why is my car steering wheel shaking? -5 Reasons

You’re driving along peacefully, everything is good and then your steering wheel suddenly begins to shake uncontrollably. Car steering wheel shaking is a common abrupt problem that many car drivers face.

Steering wheel vibrations or shakes while driving can be caused by a variety of factors, and they’re more prevalent than you might believe. Find out when these steering wheel vibrations usually occur, what they signify, and what you should do about them by reading on.

Cars are designed to drive smoothly and steadily on decent road surfaces. Most people, though, have experienced steering wheel vibrations at some point in their lives. The movement of your steering wheel can indicate a problem with your car, which is usually related to your tires or brakes.

Ignoring steering wheel vibrations can lead to your car’s underlying problems becoming more serious. While driving, an unsteady steering wheel can be really unpleasant and while it may appear to be a minor irritation, a shaky steering wheel might signify a number of major problems that must be addressed immediately.

While your tires are the most typical cause of a shaky steering wheel, there are a few additional issues that could be contributing to or causing that annoying steering wheel wobble. Let’s learn some more about the steering wheel shaking problem in depth beginning with the most significant causes.

Tire Problems

Tires that are out of balance are likely to show signals here initially because the steering wheel is utilized to direct the wheels. You are more likely to feel the vibrations at greater speeds if you have this problem.

The goal is for all four of your tires to rotate at the same speed, which is achieved by keeping them balanced. However, seasonal variations, rough driving patterns, poor road conditions, inflation differences, and other factors can cause tires to become imbalanced.

Unbalanced tires can cause steering wheel shaking by affecting your suspension and axle. Steering wheel shakes due to unbalanced tires are sometimes only evident at highway speeds, and even then, they may go away if you drive a bit faster or slower.

Finally, a badly worn section of a tire tread on one or more of your tires can cause vibrations throughout your car, including the steering wheel shaking problem. Does your steering wheel shake at high speed?

This might be due to tire problems like misalignment and even a deflated tire.

Can bad alignment cause a shake in the steering wheel?

Checking the tread on the tires is one of the simplest techniques to verify if misalignment is the cause of your steering wheel shaking. Tires on a misaligned car generally have very uneven tread, with the inner totally worn down and the exterior almost fully treaded.

Furthermore, if your steering wheel is straight and centered yet your automobile is dragging in one direction or the other, your car is most certainly misaligned. Your wheels and axles will be squared up and pointing in the same direction after an alignment, and your steering wheel will be centered again.

Uneven Brake Rotors Surface

When you look through the slots in your front wheels, you can probably see the braking rotors, which are those glossy spherical discs. Brake rotors are critical components of your braking system; when brake pads contact them, they force your car to slow down.

Rotors endure between 30,000 and 70,000 miles on average, however, they should be inspected and/or resurfaced every 12,000 miles or so. When the brake pads press down on an uneven surface or rotors that are deteriorating, it can produce increased friction and violent shaking when braking.

The shaking steering wheel shaking problem can be caused by worn brake pads, loose connections, worn-out shocks, or defective brake discs, and many of these difficulties are accompanied by other symptoms.

Why does your steering wheel shake when you brake?

The brake pads press against an uneven surface when your rotors become twisted, causing the shaking steering wheel to tremble. Brake rotors can develop high and low patches as a result of emergency stops and other demands of our congested highways.

As a result, when the brake pads are forced against it, the brake pedal, as well as the steering wheel, may shake.

Issues with The Suspension

If you don’t know what your suspension is, it’s a complicated system of springs, rods, shocks, pistons, and other parts. Unbalances, loose connections, rusted or corroded parts, and/or irregular wear can all occur when everything isn’t working properly.

This might cause an issue with the steering wheel shaking while rising or maintaining a given speed, or it can happen at seemingly random times. The suspension affects how your car handles and brakes, as well as how bumps, noises, and vibrations are felt inside the cab.

A shaky steering wheel is most commonly caused by the suspension. This is especially true for automobiles that haven’t been serviced regularly at an authorized dealership service center.

Because suspension problems develop slowly over time, you’re unlikely to detect them until they’ve progressed to the point where the steering wheel is unsteady.

Wheel Hub Bearings

If your bearings are damaged, broken, worn, or corroded, they will prevent your wheels to turn smoothly, and there may be friction or shaking. Bearings are connected to your wheel axle or hub, so if something goes wrong with them, it has a direct impact on the driving shaft.

If your steering wheel shaking only rattles when you turn, it could be a sign that the bearings are failing. A shaking steering wheel and a variety of other troubles can develop if they are not oiled, damaged, or broken. Your bearings allow your wheels to turn freely without causing friction, as well as support the weight of your vehicle.

The failure of a vehicle’s wheel bearings, on the other hand, is uncommon. We don’t see this issue very often because most vehicles’ wheel bearings can comfortably outlast the rest of the vehicle.

Shaking Steering Wheel with Axle Issue

If you’ve recently been in an accident and are experiencing steering wheel shaking vibrations, it’s possible that your car’s axle has been bent or damaged. In this situation, the quicker you drive, the more steering wheel shaking problem you’ll experience, but the shaking will continue regardless of speed.

If your steering wheel jerks to the right or left at random, it could indicate that your driveshaft is damaged. While rear-wheel drive vehicles are more likely to have an imbalanced axle shaft, it can cause your steering wheel to shake along with the rest of the vehicle.

The majority of cars nowadays are front-wheel drive, which implies the axles are half shafts. When things break down, you’re much more likely to hear a steady ticking sound when you turn.

Is it safe to drive with a shaking steering wheel?

Whatever the cause of your steering wheel shaking, it’s in your best interest to find out what’s wrong and fix it as soon as possible. A loose bolt or uneven tire tread can cause steering wheel shaking, but they can also suggest a far larger problem that could lead to your vehicle’s demise if not addressed.

Make careful to look into the many components of each of your car’s systems and try to solve the problem as quickly as possible. You can still drive your automobile if the steering wheel is shaky, but it is a clear sign that you should consult an expert mechanic as soon as possible.

How to fix the steering wheel shaking problem?

Even for the most skilled mechanics, determining the specific source of steering wheel shaking can be confusing and time-consuming because today’s automobiles have several components that can cause it.

When you consider that many front-end components could be worn out or out of alignment at the same time, it’s easy to see why determining the exact source of steering wheel vibration can be a lengthy and meticulous task.

Hence, instead of trying to figure out the problem on your own, head on to the nearest auto workshop and get your car looked at by a technician. The sooner the better.