Search Car

The 4 Main Causes of Steering Wheel Vibration

ByTsukasa Azuma-July 31, 2023

Annoyed by the steering wheel vibration while driving? Well, you are not alone! It’s one of the most common problems that drivers make complaints about. Sometimes, the steering wheel shakes at high speeds or it could be any time when the vehicle moves forward. Remember, if you are driving on the highway some day and feeling the vibration in steering wheel, it is a sign of damage that can come from the chassis system or the damaged tires. The following article will help you understand what causes this problem.

The Expression Of Steering Wheel Vibration

The steering wheel is very important, driving the car in the process of moving so any problems in this department will also potentially risk the accident. Inside the steering shaft is a shaft made of a metal called a spindle. The spindle is responsible for transmitting the force from the steering wheel to the rack and the gear or steering mechanism whenever the driver applies the force to the steering wheel. When driving on the road, the steering wheel must be smooth and stable on the street (smooth, flat) and out of town (bumpy road).

Steering wheel vibration’s expressions (Photo: sola deo gloria/Getty Images)

Symptoms such as curved or unbalanced car rim, loss of nut, a bolt of the steering ladder, rudder … usually vibrate the steering wheel full cruise, the phenomenon just normal steering wheel vibration when braking Derived from other causes such as disc brakes or drums (for drum brakes, normal brakes) are unbalanced.

The Causes of Steering Wheel Vibration

Multiple vehicle components could be the culprit, and diagnosing the problem can be time-consuming. You can directly inspect the following parts to save time. Remember that ignoring the problem for a long time could result in premature wear and tear on various elements.

1. Misaligned tires

It’s one of the most common reasons for steering wheel vibration. The symptom of this problem is shaking off the wheels at around 50-50 mph and becoming worse at around 60 mph. However, it decreases when you speed up. The best way to avoid it is to check the tires regularly for the correct inflation and alignment.

2. Unbalanced wheels

Misaligned, damaged, and low-quality tires can lead to an imbalance of the wheels. When it happens, it causes excessive shaking of the steering wheels and sometimes the entire car! Low-profile tires with uneven treads are likely to be the culprit in most cases. However, a lightweight suspension system could be the reason too as the wheels have not been balanced with counterweights. What’s more troubling is that ignoring it will lead to damage to the struts, shocks, tread, and a number of other parts of the suspension and steering mechanism.

Read more:

3. Suspension issues

You can pinpoint the trouble on the suspension when the steering wheel shakes at high speeds or when you maintain a particular speed. Do a thorough inspection of the suspension system because such shaking normally occurs from corroded parts, worn-out shocks, loose connections, and an imbalance of the driveshaft.

So many problems can arise from the brake system! (Photo: slobo/Getty Images)

4. Brake problems

Plenty of brake issues could cause the steering wheel vibration. If it shakes when you are slowing down the vehicle, you should check for bad brake discs, loose connections, damaged shocks, and worn brake pads. Obviously, there might be other brake problems that could create the symptoms. On the other hand, if the vibration arises at the time of pushing the brake pedal, you should look into the brake rotors. The brake caliper is another part to investigate when the steering wheel shakes at high speeds. The faster you drive, the worse the vibration will be and you will get a burning odor at the time of stopping the car.

Watch more:

Overcoming The Steering Wheel Vibration Problem

You should check the following parts for handling steering wheel vibration causes, ensuring safety and comfort while driving.

1. Check the tripod rubber

A Rubber tripod is one of the causes of steering wheel vibration while moving. When used for a long time, the rubber pads inside the tripod are worn out, causing the car to move or the engine will cause minor impacts on the chassis. This creates steering wheel shakes. To test your tripod and rubber tripod, it is best to bring your car to a professional garage. They have enough equipment to identify the tripod and related parts that need to be replaced or repaired.

2. Tighten the 4 tires and balance them tires

The stiffness of non-standard tires leads to the tire’s contact surface with the pavement deflection. This led to the four wheels not working together on the road creating deviations and shaking the entire car, especially the steering wheel. So you should take the car to the garage to adjust the compression and balance the 4-wheel drive to ensure the continuity of the wheel to the road is balanced.

Checking the wear and tread of tires is also a good idea when adjusting and adjusting the balance. Only one in four tire wear phenomena that when moving will see the car shake and shake.

Overcoming the phenomenon of steering wheel vibration (Photo: Turo.com)

3. Rotuyn

Rotuyn driving in and out is an important part of the steering structure of the car. You should bring your car to the company so they can check if you need to replace the rotuyn. Damaged rotors will cause problems of non-standard driving, unlucky steering, steering wheel vibration, or danger rather than loss of control.

Frequently Asked Questions

More specifically, besides those causes and solutions above that we have mentioned, we would like to bring some real questions and answers related to the problems that have been raised many times before, such as: why does my steering wheel shake? Or what causes steering wheel to shake? With a specific response from technicians. After this Q&A, you can easily define the problems with steering wheel vibration and probably find a way to fix it.

And here’s the question: Recently when driving on 70km/h, the steering wheel vibration is kind of strong. Anyone who knows the cause and how to fix it just help me. Sincerely thank.

Many answers released:

– In the past, my car had the same condition when driving at 100 km/h. After a thorough examination, the tire is twisted. Every day the tires is gradually twisted and after about two months, the vibration appears throughout the car. You should find out this problem with a tire repair specialist, they will remove the test.

Steering wheel vibration at high speed depends on many situations, many vehicles are designed to alert the driver to safety, vibration that is spleen to check. Almost as if the car went to a certain speed will meet the steering wheel shakes while driving, even put your hand to the car still running straight but the steering wheel is still slightly vibrating.

– I think there is a broken rubber tripod, or soft by the process of using. When the machine reaches a speed over the vibration threshold, the rubber stopper is no longer active so it will vibrate the car! Often at a speed of 60 km/h, it is shaking and I do not dare to run faster! For the best, you should go check out at the garage! If only by the tire, sometimes the eyes will see, and not to the vibration at a certain speed.

– I think you should replace one side of the tire first. After replacing, test drive up to 100km/h. The results you will know after the replacement, our technicians will give you the most reasonable advice.

So that was all the information related to the steering wheel vibration that you may want to know. One way of avoiding the vibration problem is to follow the maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer. Especially, you should not delay when the brakes are due for a checkup.

Tsukasa Azuma is an awesome car blogger of Car From Japan. He owns a car repair shop at downtown Osaka, and he put all that experience to good use in his sharing posts. Tsukasa’s blog is one of the best resources for information about keeping your favorite imported car running smoothly. Moreover, because of being passionate to learn about the recent happenings in auto industry, he doesn’t only provide great car maintenance tips, he also always updates latest trends in among car brands and share them in his own interesting viewpoint.

Comments

Benson Musonda20:42 March 25, 2019
Reply

Good afternoon, am kindly asking if you can send this information to my email. I will really appreciate

Name * Osbert Blackman09:42 March 25, 2019
Reply

Another important cause of steering wheel vibration is bad or worn steering ends. This causes vibration between a particular speed range, and can really get ridiculously bad within that range.

The remedy is to change/replace the steering ends.

Hitendra Kuntawala09:06 March 23, 2019
Reply

What is the optimum speed of a car based on the highway speed and the cc of an engine? Some engines may be greater in the cc eg Camry , but gives and average of say 18 km per liter. Is there a way of calculating these?

SAJID MEHMOOD23:19 October 02, 2018
Reply

I have Hyundai sonata 2015 model, I feel all my car is vibrating. I have changed brake pad and done wheel alignment. advise if there are some other issue

FATAU19:10 June 26, 2018
Reply

I fell small vibration and steering shake when am about moving my vehicle. I experienced that thing after I changed my driveshaft, link bars and upper arm of my HONDA ACCORD 2006. They have checked all the four tires and everything intact.
The vibration stops when spending but comes when about moving frim stationary point.
Thanks

Abdul Aziz19:01 June 20, 2018
Reply

Most probably the transmission mount is broken

Shawn muna22:54 April 25, 2018
Reply

I own a Toyota chaser tourer,now the problem is recently the left front of the car has been making squealing n squeaky sounds when driving o jx turning the steering wheel..I checked the suspension everything is okay…so wat cld b wrong?

George14:55 April 25, 2018
Reply

Me when ever I stop say in traffic jam and I leave the gear in drive the steering keeps vibrating but when I put in parking or neutral it relaxes and no vibrations what could be the issue?

Peter Chipili05:51 April 25, 2018
Reply

Please help Peter chioiki. ….I have the same problem…

Peter chioiki05:40 April 25, 2018
Reply

I love this interaction. My car has started giving me vibration issues when the fan in starts running and vibration is felt on the staring and very annoying. Further when slowing down with brakes I have started getting the vibrations. What could be the problem. ..please help.

Gilbert22:22 April 24, 2018
Reply

My 2003 Nissan Wingroad looses power when l put the AC on…when l switch off the AC power gets back to normal…what could be the reason.??

Chemonges Aggrey20:52 April 24, 2018
Reply

You did not include a malfunctioning engine mounting.. I once had a Toyota Raum that vibrated at the steering wheel excessively. After replacing the engine mounting, it became very quiet.

Benjamin Wamusiru18:56 April 24, 2018
Reply

At what mileage should an engine be off the road?

Safancy17:37 April 24, 2018
Reply

Can spark plugs as well cause vibration?

davie17:19 March 02, 2018
Reply

The article is useful..

Okatch Duncan13:13 December 04, 2017
Reply

Very informative. Thank you for pointing out them issues.

nico01:50 November 28, 2017
Reply

when am I supposed to use D2

Ntanda.lincoln13:12 November 26, 2017
Reply

My car is a toyata Mark 2 it vibrates when I switch on the A.C what could be the problem?

George Indiazi02:22 October 07, 2017
Reply

Very educative stuff

John S Mwaba04:13 October 06, 2017
Reply

My car vibrates between 20 and 40. Vibration is felt while excelerating on the body and not the steering wheel.
What should I check? X-trail 2001 model.

Achola01:41 December 05, 2017
Reply

Check hub and bearing

Denis12:35 December 02, 2017
Reply

Follow UA exhaust mounts, they could be in contact with parts of the body, xo when u excelarate the pipe vibes with the body.

Joakim Chitechi23:58 October 05, 2017
Reply

I feel some vibration when I engage my reverse gear alone..what could it be?

jima00:27 November 27, 2017
Reply

check your engine mountings

Frank12:53 October 05, 2017
Reply

I’m so happy to hear that from you and I can got know a lot from you. Please my car is Toyota cresta mode 1994.it have problems in back wheels to bend once you take four people. Where it can be problems because should I change my tire shot time

Charles muriuki matindi16:01 October 04, 2017
Reply

I have used a Honda partner for the last three year and have noticed they have ignition switch ihd to Change the 1st car after one year. Now my 2nd car the same model has the same problem now. What should I do now that it’s key not working.

JUMA Mahuba18:52 October 03, 2017
Reply

Its very useful information. However I would like to know the causative of body car shaking particularly when the glass Windows are half rolled down.

Otherwise I want to know if there is a spare for a car key(ignition) especially the one with alerm.mine has been damaged to irreparably point.