Top Five Causes of Steering Wheel Vibration

You might be wondering what the reason for your steering wheel to vibrate may be. A wobbly steering wheel is truly annoying, especially if you have planned for a whole-day road trip with your loved ones.

It doesn't look like a big deal, but a shaky steering wheel may indicate various issues that call for immediate solutions. 

A wobbly steering wheel is not always caused by car tires because other car issues can trigger the same effect. Here are the leading five causes of a shaky steering wheel:

1. Unbalanced wheels can cause a shaky steering wheel

unbalanced wheels cause a shaky

Your newly replaced wheels should be balanced. Balancing them is not as easy as checking whether your new wheels are uniform in size and quality. A new tire placed on the rim should be balanced to distribute the weight evenly on the wheels. The rims' bulky parts should match the light parts of your tire to achieve balance. After matching your rims and tires, you can add some counterweights to balance the wheels further.

Keep in mind that slightly or totally unbalanced wheels can cause a shaky steering wheel. Sad to say, the latest car models with flimsy suspension systems are more prone to unbalanced wheel problems. So, if your car is new, you must check your wheels regularly and don't leave them unbalanced. If you ignore it, unbalanced wheels will trigger problems with shocks, tread, and other suspension or steering components.

The only way to fix this issue is to make sure your wheels are balanced. Also, see to it that your tire is lightly trodden and is in good condition.

2. Misalignment causes the steering wheel to shake

Misalignment is another typical wheel problem that causes your steering wheel to shake. In fact, misalignment is considered the number one cause of a steering wheel issue. This problem deals with your vehicle’s suspension and incorrect wheel positioning. Misalignment takes place after several years of infrequent driving, but it can happen sooner if the car is mostly used each day.

Misalignment is inevitable, but you can delay it by avoiding potholes and driving through pavements. Also, you must keep driving your car within the recommended speed limit, and don't rush when passing through the rough roads. Driving with caution always helps in maintaining a car’s alignment for an extended time.

Checking the tread on your tire will confirm if your shaky steering wheel is caused by misalignment. Typically, the tire of your misaligned car has a bumpy tread. While examining your tire, you will see its worn interior while the outside is almost covered with tread. In addition, when your steering wheel is centered and straight while the car pulls one way or another, misalignment may be the issue.

Alignment is the sole solution to your car’s problem. It simply squares up the wheels & axles to correct and point them all in one direction. Alignment fixes and returns your car’s steering wheel on the center.

3. Bad Bearings

Your wheel hub bearings maintain your car in its best condition. A shaky steering wheel occurs when the unlubricated wheel hub bearings are broken or damaged. Your wheel hub bearings let your wheels rotate correctly without friction, and they also support your car’s weight. The bearings connect to your car’s hub or axle assembly. If they don’t work correctly, the problem will directly affect your drive shaft, resulting in a wobbly steering wheel.

wheel hub bearings

Usually, when you have weak bearings, the steering wheel shakes when the car turns to any direction. If your car passes on a straight road, your damaged bearings won't trigger shaking. Bad bearings normally trigger a noise that comes from your wheels. You can remove and check your bearings for damage. At times, you can just clean and lubricate your bearings to solve the problem. If the bearings are badly broken or worn, replacing them is necessary.



4. Suspension Problems

Your car’s suspension system includes a compound structure of pistons and shocks, rods and springs. This compound structure inside your car’s body connects your wheels to other automotive parts. Suspension can affect your car's movements. Noises, bumps, and steering wheel vibrations are also minimized by your car’s suspension.

Different suspension problems happen in the long run. These problems are quite hard to detect, but they are easy to resolve once discovered. Suspension issues like corroded or worn car parts, driveshaft imbalance, loose connections, and old shocks can cause harm to your steering wheel.

If you think one of these suspension issues is the cause of your vibrating steering wheel, find out when the steering wheel vibration happens. Shaking intensifies when the car speeds up and maintains a certain speed, but trembling happens sometimes at random periods. Knowing when the shaking takes place will help you detect the issue. This time, you must observe your car, especially if you suspect a possible suspension issue. The root cause of steering wheel shaking will be easily detected through comprehensive inspection.

Signs, like grinding or rattling, will prove your car’s suspension is in trouble. Locating the damaged part of your car’s suspension and fixing the issue right away is important. By fixing your vehicle’s defective suspension immediately, your car will run as effectively and safely as possible.

Read this Post about the control arm bushing issue

5. Brake Issues also cause a shaky steering wheel

detect brake issues

Brake issues can also cause a shaky steering wheel that can be felt only when your car slows down. Things like loose connections, worn brake cushions, and shocks or weak brake discs cause a steering wheel issue. In fact, most brake issues occur with other noticeable signs. Many shaking issues suddenly appear when the car accelerates, turns, or maintains a specific speed.

You can detect brake issues only when you put pressure on them while driving. So, brake problems are easier to identify than the other car issues that cause a trembling steering wheel. When a few signs appear that indicate brake issues, you must inspect the system thoroughly to find out which part needs repair.

Cleaning, replacing and tightening the loose parts of your brake system are necessary.

An Interested Topic:  what happens when ball joints go bad

Conclusion

No matter the reason for your steering wheel to vibrate, early detection and troubleshooting of the issue are important.

Steering wheel vibration may be a simple, minor issue like a loose rod or jagged tire tread. However, a shaky steering wheel indicates a bigger issue that can result in your car’s total malfunction.

So, make sure that you investigate the different components of your vehicle’s systems to fix the issue properly.

Also, you must do your best in fixing your car to get rid of a shaky steering wheel in no time.

27 thoughts on “Top Five Causes of Steering Wheel Vibration”

  1. I never knew that shake in steering wheel can be as a result of bad braking system. This is an eye opener. I will make sure I see repairer once I notice any of this signs

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  2. For the longest time I have always wondered what can cause your steering wheel to shake. This write-up explains all the causes so well.

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  3. Among what causes a shaky steering wheel is the issue of unbalanced wheels. I think that is one of the main causes.

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  4. The first thing I ask myself when faced with a problem like this is ‘why is my steering wheel vibration?’ More often than not it is because of bad bearings.

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  5. A shake in steering wheel can really be so annoying. That’s why I always have my car checked regularly for such issues.

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  6. Alignment vibration is very common especially if you rarely perform wheel balancing on your car. Thanks a lot for the very informative article.

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  7. You’ve always ask yourself “why is my steering wheel vibration”? You are in the right place, this great piece will answer all that question and even give you the solution…Isnt that priceless

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  8. While driving and you discover any shaky wheel notification, the best thing to do next is to go for alignment vibration diagnosis. Thanks for this educative post. I’ve learnt something here.

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  9. Great work on answering the question ‘what can cause your steering wheel to shake?’ This should open a lot of people’s eyes.

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  10. I think what causes a shaky steering wheel is a combination of many factors as you have discussed. Frequent checks should be done to prevent this issue.

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  11. Faulty brakes have been known to cause shake in steering wheel in many vehicles. Thanks for pointing this out in your article.

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  12. Alignment vibration can cause accidents if left unchecked. For this reason any shake in the steering wheel should be quickly fixed.

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  13. Misalignment of the wheels is what causes a shaky steering wheel. Wheel alignment should be done regularly to prevent this.

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  14. It doesn’t look like a big deal to me. But a shaky steering wheel may indicate various issues that call for immediate solutions. Now my point is that Can faulty alignment vibration be what can cause your steering wheel to shake.

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  15. A shaky steering wheel has not happened to my car before but I am not oblivious to that possibility. If that happens I can have this article to go back to. Thanks!!! Bookmarked and saved.

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  16. Wow, so what causes steering wheel to shake can be as much as 5 top reasons. This is informative and thanks. I believe no knowledge is wasted. I wont forget this life saving information anytime soon

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  17. Early detection of steering wheel vibration can safe alot, not just money but life. Even braking system can cause steering wheel vibration. When you notice any of the above symptoms, visit a professional as soon as possible

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  18. vibration in steering wheel can make driving non enjoyable.. Its such a headache but knowing the causes and how to avoid this gives one less thing to worry about..nice article..

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  19. A wobbly steering wheel is something that isn’t good at all. All good drivers should really check out what causes it before it becomes a very dangerous problem in the future.

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  20. Ohhh, Probably the misalignment is what causes steering wheel to shake in my car. I definitely need to take it for a revision.

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  21. These are definitely the malfunctions to look for in the event of a wobbly steering wheel. Constant maintenance and being well versed with your car’s breaks, suspensions and bearings are crucial steps in keeping your vehicle operative. I think these lessons should be included in drive test centres and license tutorials all around the world.

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  22. To be candid i am a victim of this too, because i dont know what causes steering wheel to shake. But thanks for this good post to expose me.

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  23. No matter what causes steering wheel to shake I don’t take it lightly and would get it checkout our immediately, because if you lose control of your steering it could easy cost you your life or jeopardize some else’s life.

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  24. Very enlightening article. I never realized that brake issues could cause a wobbly steering wheel. Guess you learn something new everyday. Will share on Facebook!

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  25. I have replace my tires, rotors , break pads, struts and multiple parts on my front suspension including the sway bar links , Lower and upper control arms on my 2010 Camaro SS but the driving wheel still shakes at high speed and when I break it gets worst, not sure what else I can do. it does not appear the wheel bearings bearings are damaged and now I’m hoping an alignment will fix the problem, if that doesn’t work I’m planning to try different rims as a last resort, any help or advise anyone can provide would be great

    Reply

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