Why Does My Steering Wheel Shake? Here Are A Few Possible Answers
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Uneven surfaces can be encountered by drivers from all over the country regularly, but it’s generally pretty evident when you’re going over a rough surface that can jolt the wheel. Outside of bumps and potholes, have you ever gone over a perfectly paved road and wondered, “why does my steering wheel shake”? Here are a few possible answers for a wobbly steering wheel.
1. Your Tires Are Out Of Balance
Unbalanced tires are the most common cause of a steering wheel shake. Tires out of balance may cause the car’s suspension and steering wheel to shake if they aren’t aligned properly. The wheels may begin to wobble and even bounce when the wheel spins if they aren’t evenly balanced. This won’t be as noticeable driving around town or at low speeds, but tires that are out of balance are prone to start shaking about 40 miles per hour, especially on highways.
If the tires appear in good condition, but the problem continues, it could be anywhere between the physical tires and your steering wheel. A previous collision may have gone unnoticed and caused damage to the axle, which prevents the tires and steering wheel from communicating correctly through the powertrain. Abrupt and persisting shaking in the steering wheel is a common sign that something is wrong. It can be tricky to identify the exact issue since it could be the wheel bearings, tie rod ends, or broken ball joints.
As mentioned above, unbalanced wheels are sometimes more detectable at highway speeds, but how fast the car is moving makes no difference. The tire’s tread is often an afterthought but can be a good indicator of uneven tires and should be checked when the tires are properly inflated. If your tires are unevenly worn, get them rotated or replace them entirely. In any case, having your automobile drive more smoothly and safely will be worth it.
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2. You Have Worn Suspension Components
Another common issue that might be causing your steering wheel to shake? The suspension, probably the second most prevalent cause of a wobbly steering wheel, can be especially true for cars that haven’t been serviced regularly. Since suspension issues typically develop slowly over time, you’ll most likely notice it when the damage is relatively severe.
These components link the steering system to the wheels and can create many problems, such as uneven steering and shaking, uneven tire wear, and even total steering loss. With routine maintenance, the suspension is checked as part of a standard check-up, so this is avoidable if you can take your can in for routine care.
These suspension components can get loose and develop, and you’ll feel some fairly significant vibrations in the steering wheel. Loose rod ends, and ball joints will make strange, subtle noises when going over bumps or uneven surfaces. This can be a dangerous issue since you can lose total control of the steering, so getting this checked as soon as possible is essential.
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3. You Have Bad Brake Rotors
Your rotors may be out of “round” if your steering wheel shakes, which is most often noticed while braking. This is likely due to the rotors breaking down and showing their wear over time. Like other parts of the vehicles, they have started to lose their form and began to deteriorate. When you press your foot down on the brake pedal as you would decelerate with bad rotors, you’ll feel some resistance and light shaking in the steering wheel.
Your vehicle’s brakes are a critical component of a functioning vehicle and can be treated for a resurface, replaced, or slightly adjusted. Even if your brakes are brand new, vibrations during braking and shaking in the steering wheel can indicate a significant problem. Even on a new vehicle or with new rotors, it’s also possible they weren’t mounted correctly. This can cause the car’s brake pads to clamp weaker than they should, creating a vibrating sensation.
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4. You Have Bad Axles
The least common of issues, but still a possible cause for a shaky steering wheel, is bad axles. Since a large majority of cars manufactured today are front-wheel drive, this implies that most of the road axles are half shafts. When they start to break down, you’re more likely to hear a steady ticking when you turn. You might eventually feel this as a shaky steering wheel, but the issue is generally more noticeable as a sound long before the wheel.
Axels are balanced like wheels, and while rear-wheel-drive cars are more likely to have an imbalanced axle shaft, it can cause your steering wheel to shake along with the rest of the vehicle. Just like all the issues previously listed, if your car has a shaky steering wheel or other issues at the wheel, it should be checked out.
While there’s no single answer for a steering wheel shake, there is a good chance it’s caused by one of these issues. This is not a problem; you’ll want to leave it to chance, and continuing to ignore it could lead to severe problems. Like any mechanical issue with your vehicle, it’s better safe than sorry, so if you think it could be any of these things, get it checked.
5. You Have Sticky Brake Calipers
The brake caliper is one of the most vital components of your vehicle’s braking system. The calipers clamp the brake pads down against the rotors. Once you step into the brake pedal, the spinning rotor’s kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy, which slows down your car.
Although it’s not as common as the other reasons on this list, a sticky brake caliper may cause the steering wheel to shake as you drive. There’s a slight possibility for the brake calipers to become seized or sticky. A sticky brake caliper may affect the handling of your vehicle, either with pulling or shaking of the steering wheel. Unlike a faulty brake rotor, you’ll notice a sticky caliper while driving instead of braking.
A sticky brake caliper is a caliper getting stuck to the rotor. Instead of being lifted when you step on the brake pedal, the brake remains brushed against the rotor. A sticky caliper will make your driving more challenging, as you might expect.
The leading causes of sticky calipers are debris and dirt buildup, worn hoses, and improper brake installation. Stop driving and call a mechanic if you suspect you have sticky calipers.
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