How to Diagnose Steering Wheel Shake

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Fix a shaky steering wheel in no time with this simple guide
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It can be scary if you’re driving and your steering wheel starts to shake, but breathe easy knowing this is normally not a super serious problem. In fact, a vibrating steering wheel is one of the more common symptoms of a vehicle issue—usually pertaining to the tires or alignment. In any case, we’ll cover the common causes, their solutions, and break down a few niche cases where the vibration indicates something else.

Things You Should Know

  • Check your tire pressure and refill any underinflated tires to rule out the easiest fixes. If any of the tires are worn down, replace them.
  • The most common causes of a shaky steering wheel include bad wheel bearings, warped rotors, play from the steering wheel, misalignment, or a bent axle.
  • It’s dangerous to drive a vehicle with a shaky steering wheel if you can’t control the car, so don’t let this problem go unfixed for too long.

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Section 1 of 4:

Common Causes of a Persistently Shaky Steering Wheel

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  1. Tires are supposed to spin at the same speed together, but if they aren’t equally inflated or similarly worn down, it can cause one or more of the tires to struggle to keep up. This will create a vibration that works its way from the tires to the axles to your steering wheel. [1]
    • This kind of shaking will be present at all times, but it’ll be more extreme the faster you accelerate.
    • The Fix: Check your tires to see if they’re all equally inflated. If they aren’t, fill the tires that are low. Then, check the treads on your tire. If any of the tires are worn out, replace them.
  2. If your tires aren’t lined up, it’ll cause friction when you drive. This is typically the result of an axle that rolled over a bump in a funny way, or a natural drift from a slight misalignment over time. [2]
    • Like imbalanced tires, you’ll probably notice this shaking getting worse when you accelerate.
    • What happens when you let go of the wheel on a flat, empty highway? If your car immediately pulls to one side, your alignment is off.
    • The Fix: See a mechanic and ask them to check your alignment. If it’s off, they’ll throw the vehicle on an alignment rack and fix it. This a pretty cheap and quick repair!
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  3. If the shaky steering wheel started acting up after you hit a bump, ran over a pothole, or had a minor accident, you’ve probably bent one of your axles. With a bent axle, your tires will fight against one another when you drive, which will cause some shakiness in your wheel. [3]
    • The Fix: See a mechanic to get the axle repaired or replaced. This can be one of the more expensive repairs for a vehicle, so get multiple quotes if you don’t like the first one.
  4. If you also hear some kind of humming, rattling, or growling when you turn the wheel and it also shakes, the bearings in one or more of your wheels are bad. This happens naturally every 85,000–100,000 miles (137,000–161,000 km), although bearings can fail more frequently if you drive in any area with poor road conditions or frequent precipitation. [4]
    • The Fix: Visit your mechanic and ask them to install some fresh bearings inside your wheels. It’s usually ideal to swap all of them out at the same time, since if one bearing failed it’s likely the others are close to the end of their life.
  5. Did you just get your brakes adjusted? If so, it’s likely that one of the brake rotors was installed incorrectly and it’s rubbing against the wheel and causing it to wobble. [5]
    • It’s also likely that your brakes are to blame if the shaking gets worse when you slow down.
    • The brakes themselves could be to blame if you also smell something burning.
    • The Fix: Go back to whoever fixed your brakes and ask them to repair their work. If you didn’t get any brake work done, just visit your normal mechanic and ask them to look at your brakes.
  6. If your serpentine belt is worn down or it’s misaligned, the gears in your engine bay may spin unevenly. This will cause your steering wheel to shake. Your steering wheel may also feel kind of stiff or hard to turn. [6]
    • You’ll probably hear a scratching or whining noise coming from your engine bay if the suspension belt isn’t aligned properly, as well.
    • The Fix: Either replace the belt yourself with a belt designed for your make and model, or take the vehicle to the mechanic and ask them to do it for you.
    EXPERT TIP

    Hovig Manouchekian

    Auto Repair & Design Specialist
    Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Design Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Auto, a family-owned business operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig's knowledge and hard work have contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie's List Super Service Award for five consecutive years.
    Hovig Manouchekian
    Auto Repair & Design Specialist

    Your steering wheel shaking could indicate an issue. There are several reasons why your steering wheel might be shaking. Common causes include uneven tire wear, warped brake rotors, or worn suspension components. Additionally, misaligned wheels can contribute to shaking. In severe cases, a bent axle could also be the issue.

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Section 2 of 4:

Why does my wheel only shake when I accelerate?

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  1. Shaking when you hit the gas is a sign that there’s something fundamentally wrong with the combustion process in your engine. In rare cases, your transmission could be to blame. Diagnosing and fixing acceleration issues in a shaky vehicle can be tricky, so see a mechanic to get this one fixed. [7]
    • There are a handful of DIY repairs you might be able to make to fix this one if you know your way around a workshop, but the odds are the issue is inside of your engine, which isn’t usually a home repair.
Section 3 of 4:

Why does my wheel only shake at idle?

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  1. It’s easy to fix two common causes for a shaky engine idle . It could be air getting into your fuel mixture, so check your gas cap to make sure it’s closed all the way. Then, inspect the battery terminals and confirm they’re properly attached . [8]
    • A slightly unattached battery will cause your vehicle to idle at an odd tempo as the electrical current struggles to provide enough juice to the engine.
  2. If you know your way around an engine bay, remove your spark plugs and replace them . If that doesn’t solve the problem, your engine mounts are probably damaged and need to be replaced. If a mount is damaged, the natural vibrations from your engine will make the car rattle when it idles. [9]
    • If you aren’t confident about removing and replacing your spark plugs, just ask your mechanic to do it for you.
    • If one of the spark plugs isn’t firing, your engine won’t get the proper combustion it needs to idle properly.
    • See a professional mechanic to get your engine mounts replaced.
    EXPERT TIP

    Hovig Manouchekian

    Auto Repair & Design Specialist
    Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Design Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Auto, a family-owned business operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig's knowledge and hard work have contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie's List Super Service Award for five consecutive years.
    Hovig Manouchekian
    Auto Repair & Design Specialist

    If your steering wheel shakes when idle, start by looking at common issues. Check for stored or pending codes in your car's computer. Vacuum leaks and fuel pressure issues are common causes of rough idle. Inspect hoses for cracks or disconnections, and use a fuel pressure gauge to verify proper fuel pressure.

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Section 4 of 4:

Is driving with a shaky wheel dangerous?

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  1. You’re fine to drive if the vibration is so minor that it doesn’t impact your ability to operate the vehicle. You still need to see a mechanic, but you aren’t at any serious risk. However, if the vibration is so bad that it makes steering difficult, your vehicle isn’t safe to operate. Either get it towed to the mechanic or drive slowly with your hazards on when the roads are empty. [10]
    • Don’t leave this repair off for too long, especially if the shaking gets worse over time.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why does my steering wheel feel stiff?
    Hovig Manouchekian
    Auto Repair & Design Specialist
    Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Design Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Auto, a family-owned business operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig's knowledge and hard work have contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie's List Super Service Award for five consecutive years.
    Hovig Manouchekian
    Auto Repair & Design Specialist
    Expert Answer
    The most common reason for a rigid or stiff steering wheel often stems from insufficient or contaminated power steering fluid. When the fluid level is low or compromised by contaminants, it hinders the smooth operation of the power steering system, leading to increased resistance and a stiffer feel when turning the steering wheel. Regularly checking and maintaining the appropriate level and quality of power steering fluid is crucial for ensuring optimal steering performance and preventing stiffness in the steering mechanism. On the other hand, with electrical power steering, stiffness in the steering wheel can arise from factors such as a malfunctioning power steering motor, electrical issues, software or calibration problems, or mechanical component issues within the system. To address stiffness, it's recommended to seek professional assistance for a comprehensive diagnosis and resolution, which may involve motor replacement, electrical inspections, or recalibration of the system.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/117420/JS1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=yL
      2. ↑ https://mycarmakesnoise.com/wheels/alignment-symptoms-you-shouldnt-ignore/
      3. ↑ https://vehiclefreak.com/does-a-bent-axle-total-a-car/
      4. ↑ https://www.moogparts.eu/blog/how-long-wheel-bearings-last.html
      5. ↑ https://www.lesschwab.com/article/brakes/never-ignore-these-8-warning-signs-of-brake-problems.html
      6. ↑ https://www.samarins.com/glossary/serpentine_belt.html
      7. ↑ https://autotrends.org/car-shakes-when-accelerating/
      8. ↑ https://mycarmakesnoise.com/engine/car-shakes-at-idle-but-smooths-out-while-driving-solved/
      9. ↑ https://mycarmakesnoise.com/engine/car-shakes-at-idle-but-smooths-out-while-driving-solved/
      1. ↑ https://autotrends.org/car-shakes-when-accelerating/

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