An unstable steering wheel can be incredibly frustrating when trying to move from place to place in your car. While it may seem like a simple annoyance, an unstable steering wheel can indicate a variety of serious problems that need to be dealt with immediately. While the most common culprit for a wobbly steering wheel is your tires, a few other issues can contribute or be solely responsible for that bad wheel shake. These are the five most common reasons for the steering wheel to shake.
Unbalanced wheels
If you have never changed your own tires or seen them change, you may not even know that tires need to be balanced. It’s not as simple as making sure they’re all the same size and of the same overall quality. When a new tire is put on the rim, it must be balanced to ensure that the weight is distributed evenly across the wheel. The heavier areas of your tires should match the lighter areas of your tires and vice versa. Once this is done as perfectly as possible, counterweights can be added to further balance the wheels.
If your wheels are slightly unbalanced, they will cause excessive vibration in the steering wheel and possibly the entire car. Many new cars with lightweight suspension systems often have unbalanced wheel issues, and you’re more likely to encounter this problem if you have low profile tires on your car. If ignored, unbalanced wheels can cause further problems with tread, shocks, struts, and other steering and suspension components. To minimize this problem, keep all your wheels balanced and be sure to check each tire to make sure it is still in place properly and without any damaged areas.
Misalignment
Another common wheel problem, misalignment is a very common reason for the steering wheel to shake. Probably the most suspected culprit, misalignment is related to your car’s suspension and lack of proper wheel position. Misalignment usually happens when you drive your car for a while, but it can happen quickly depending on how you drive. Try to avoid potholes and go on sidewalks, and go slowly over bumps and railroad tracks to keep your car in alignment for as long as possible.
One of the easiest ways to see if a misalignment is causing your steering wheel to shake is to check the tread of the tire. A misaligned car often has tires with very uneven tread, such that the interior is completely worn out and the exterior is almost full of tread. Also, if your steering wheel is straight and in the middle and your car is pulling rough, your car is likely to have a misalignment. An alignment will simply square the wheels and axles so that they are pointing in exactly the same direction, and this will re-center the steering wheel.
Faulty Bearings
Wheel hub bearings are vital to the proper operation of your car, and if they are not lubricated, damaged or broken, an unstable flywheel and many other problems can result. Its bearings allow your wheels to spin properly without friction and also provide support for the weight of your car. The bearings attach to the shaft or bushing assembly, so when they don’t function properly, they directly impact the driveshaft, causing the flywheel to move.
Normally, if you have bad bearings, your flywheel will only move when it is spinning. When traveling in a straight line, your damaged bearings should not move, although they are still likely to be damaged. In addition to flywheel shock, bad bearings will usually cause some sort of weird noise coming from your flywheel. Bearings can be removed and checked for damage and sometimes a simple cleaning and lubrication can fix the problem. If any bearing is badly worn or broken, it should be replaced.
Suspension Issues
A vehicle’s suspension system includes a complex structure of shock absorbers, pistons, springs, and rods that connect the wheels to the rest of your car. Suspension contributes to the way your vehicle handles and brakes, as well as reducing shock, noise and vibration inside the cab. A variety of suspension problems can arise over time, and while these problems can be difficult to identify, they are easy to fix once discovered. Some of the most common suspension problems that can cause your flywheel to shake are worn out parts, loose connections, drive shaft imbalance and old bumps.
If you notice that the steering wheel is vibrating and you think it is related to a suspension problem, pay attention to when the vibration occurs. It can increase when you speed up, when you maintain a particular speed, or at completely random times. Knowing when shivering occurs will help you diagnose the problem more effectively. Doing a thorough examination of your entire suspension system will help you determine the cause of the problem, if it is indeed in your suspension. Depending on additional symptoms, such as rattle or grinding, you should be able to locate the source of the suspension problem and fix it quickly to ensure that your car is operating as safely and effectively as possible.
Brake Problem
If you notice your steering wheel shaking when you slow down, your problem is most likely with the brakes. Torn brake pads, loose connections, worn shocks, or bad brake discs can all cause an unstable flywheel, and many of these problems are accompanied by other symptoms.
Most other jerky problems occur when you accelerate, turn, or maintain a particular speed. Brake problems are unique in that they are only known when you apply pressure to the brakes, so these problems should be a little easier to identify than others. Once you have determined that your brakes are responsible for your steering wheel shake, inspect the various elements of your brake system to determine the exact cause of the shake. You may need to replace a part, clean it, or tighten some loose parts.
Regardless of the culprit behind your unstable steering wheel, your best bet is to spot the problem and fix it quickly. Steering wheel jerks can be a minor and simple problem, such as loose bolts or uneven tread, but it can also indicate a much bigger problem that, if ignored, could break your vehicle. Be sure to research the different components of each of your car’s systems and do your best to fix the problem as quickly as possible.