Steering Wheel Shakes At Low Or High Speeds? Reasons

Have you ever been cruising down the highway or making a turn at low speed when your steering wheel suddenly starts shaking like crazy? That wobble can be downright alarming and make you feel like you’re about to lose control. But don’t freak out just yet – a shaky steering wheel usually indicates some fairly common mechanical issues rather than a dire emergency.

Identifying the underlying problem causing your steering wheel vibrations is key to determining the right repairs needed to smooth it out. In this in-depth post, we’ll walk through the main culprits behind a vibrating steering wheel at both low and high speeds. We’ll also provide tips to help you troubleshoot the root cause so you can get your wobbly wheel fixed and restore solid, confident handling.

So if your steering wheel is shaking, stay calm and read on to get to the bottom of it!

What Triggers Steering Wheel Vibrations at Low Speeds?

Slow speed steering wheel shakes are often most noticeable when pulling away from a stop or turning at intersections. The low speed vibration may also be especially apparent when applying the brakes.

Several common mechanical issues can cause a shimmy or wobble at lower speeds under 50 mph:

Warped Brake Rotors

Over time brake rotors can become warped from the intense heat buildup of stopping your vehicle. The high temperatures cause the rotor discs to warp slightly and become uneven. When you brake, the caliper squeezes the brake pads against the higher and lower spots on the warped rotors. This creates a pulsating shaking through the brake pedal, and also the steering wheel since they are connected mechanically.

The vibration is usually most pronounced when applying the brakes at lower speeds. Typically you’ll feel the shimmy in the brake pedal around 30-40 mph. But a badly warped rotor can also translate some vibration through the steering at even slower speeds.

Worn Wheel Bearings

Your vehicle’s wheel bearings allow the wheels to spin freely while also keeping them stable on the axles. Over time these bearings accumulate wear and miles. Excessive looseness in worn bearings introduces play and wobble into the wheels.

When turning at slow speeds, worn bearings may allow enough sloppiness in the wheels for vibrations to travel up through the steering column. Since there is less rotational force at lower speeds, the vibration of the loose wheels is most noticeable when turning slowly. At higher speeds, other forces tend to mask the bearing wear issues.

Bad wheel bearings will typically make noise long before excessive vibration. So be on the listen for any rumbling, growling or cyclic humming coming from the wheels. Catching worn bearings early before they get to the point of shaking your steering will save major repair bills down the road.

Bent or Damaged Wheels

Wheels get abused from all those potholes, curbs, debris, and maybe some poor parallel parking skills. Dents, scrapes and other damage to your wheels can cause them to wobble as they spin. At low speeds this vibration might just be a minor nuisance. But the faster a damaged wheel rotates, the worse it may shake.

Even a very slight bend in a wheel can bring on some bad vibrations. Unfortunately wheel damage is not always visible from a quick external inspection. Removing the wheel for a closer look may be required to spot issues like small bends or cracks. Compare the suspect wheel to others and have it checked for trueness with a dial indicator. Even the most minimal runout can bring the shake.

Sometimes a particular wheel and tire combination may not be an ideal match, leading to some extra vibration. So be cautious about using mismatched replacement wheels or tires on an axle. Sticking with OEM wheels and sizes will provide the best fit and smoothest ride.

Tire Imbalance or Irregularities

It’s not uncommon for tires to develop some imbalance over time and miles. Centrifugal force exaggerates the effect of any heavy or uneven spots around the tire’s circumference as it spins. This imbalance can translate to a shimmy through the wheel and into the steering column.

Tire vibration is often most pronounced between 45-60 mph, and generally diminishes again at higher speeds when other forces mask it. At slower speeds, the effects of a tire imbalance are typically not severe enough to cause steering wheel vibration. An exception would be if the tire has major imbalance issues or a large flat spot.

Inspect your tires frequently for signs of irregular wear. Some important things to check are:

• Uneven shoulder wear indicating misalignment
• Thumping from bulges or broken belts under the tread
• Bad toe wear from loose steering components or misalignment. This causes a feathered appearance on the tread edges.
• Cupping wear from bad shocks or suspension parts

Tires should be carefully balanced when installed on a wheel. Over time they may need rebalancing, or can be rotated front to rear to redistribute heavier wear areas. Always be sure tire pressures are set to spec. Underinflation worsens vibrations and tire wear.

Loose Lug Nuts

It may sound basic, but having lug nuts come loose allows the wheels to move and wobble. This in turn translates to steering wheel vibrations, especially around corners when more force is loaded onto the loose nuts. Occasionally re-torquing the lug nuts to the correct spec helps combat this issue and reduce the odds of nut loosening.

Use a quality torque wrench to achieve proper lug nut tightness. Avoid using impact tools to install lug nuts, since that can over-torque and actually stretch the studs. The lug nut torque sequence is also important, typically a crisscross star pattern. Improper tightening sequence can leave some nuts loser than others.

Lug nuts should first be re-torqued after around 50-100 miles after any wheel removal. Continue checking torque at oil change intervals or any time unusual vibrations occur. Use a high quality thread locking compound on the lugs for added insurance against loosening.

Worn Suspension Components

The various control arms, ball joints, bushings, and shocks that make up your suspension system are constantly managing road impacts and forces from turning. Over time these components wear out, accumulating lots of small movements and play. The extra slop allows additional vibration and movement to transfer through the steering.

Worn struts and shocks can also diminish damping performance, allowing excessive bounce and repeated impact forces to reach the steering. Bad ball joints usually manifest some play and clunking noises when you turn at slow speeds. Any worn bushing can transmit additional road feedback into the chassis and steering column as well. Listen and feel for any knocks, squeaks or looseness indicating worn parts.

Have your mechanic thoroughly inspect the front suspension components if any odd vibrations arise. Catching wear early provides the smoothest ride and saves big on repairs down the road.

What Triggers Steering Wheel Vibes at High Speeds?

A vibrating or shaking steering wheel when traveling at higher speeds is often rooted in:

Wheel Alignment Issues

Having the wheels improperly aligned puts strain on steering and suspension parts as you drive. This can allow vibrations and tire irregularities to transfer through to the steering wheel. The faster you’re moving, the more apparent any alignment issues become through vibration and wander in the steering.

Misalignments cause accelerated tire wear as the wheels literally get dragged down the road at an angle. Once the tread wears, tread vibrations are more apt to make the steering wheel shake. Hitting potholes or curbs can knock the wheels out of proper alignment as well.

Key alignment specs to check are toe, camber and caster. Incorrect toe causes the front tires to drag against each other, creating vibrations. Too much camber wears the inner or outer tread edges. Incorrect caster can cause the car to pull and wander.

Any steering wander, crooked tire wear or uneven riding suggests a wheel alignment check is due. Alignments should take place anytime suspension parts are replaced, or at least yearly to keep things straight and smooth.

Worn Tie Rod Ends

Your steering system’s tie rod ends connect to the steering knuckle on the wheels. They allow you to turn the wheels smoothly and accurately. The tie rod ends operate on a ball and socket design. As they wear out, extra play develops in the joints.

Excessive looseness in the tie rods makes the wheels wobble more freely. This allows them to shimmy more intensely at higher speeds when force is greater. A loose tie rod end can also throw off alignment as it wears. Catching any clunks or knocking noises when turning suggests worn ends may be present.

Damaged Wheels

Like we covered for low speeds, a bent, cracked or otherwise damaged wheel can bring on vibrations. As the speed increases, so do the forces acting on the wheel. A damaged wheel tends to shake progressively more as velocity builds.

Carefully inspect wheels for damage if steering vibration arises after a pothole hit or curb scuffing. Seek out any leaking slow air loss from the tire as an indication of internal wheel cracking. Remove the suspect wheel and examine both inner and outer rim surfaces for signs of damage. Even very minimal bends will bring big vibrations.

Out of Balance Tires

While tire imbalance can cause some vibration and steering wheel shake at low speeds, it’s typically most pronounced between around 50-70 mph. That’s when rotational forces amplify the heavier or uneven tread areas around the circumference of the tire and wheel.

Sometimes a tire balancing job can become “out of phase” over time and miles. Tires may need re-balanced and possibly rotated for an improved ride. Always ensure proper inflation pressure, as under-inflation can worsen vibrations. Check closely for any damage or irregular wear causing the imbalance.

Bent Axle Shaft

Your axle shafts connect the wheel hubs to the transmission or differential, spinning them as you drive. It’s possible for an axle shaft to become bent from a severe impact, causing the wheel hub and tire to wobble. This imbalance leads to progressively worse vibration the faster you go.

Bent axle symptoms may come and go as speeds change. Pay attention for any odd clunking or shaking from the wheels over bumps as well. Carefully inspect axle boots for any leakage that could indicate damage. Catching a bent axle quickly can prevent further suspension wear and improve safety.

Engine Mount Issues

Those big metal brackets securing your engine and transmission to the chassis are known as motor or engine mounts. Over years and miles they decompose and settle, allowing more engine movement. Bad mounts allow excessive vibration and harmonics from the engine and transmission to transfer to the body and steering components. The vibrations tend to worsen with higher rpm.

You may notice the most steering wheel vibration when hitting the gas for acceleration, especially as it shifts gears. Excessive motion in the engine when shifting can point to mount issues. If you detect misfiring or rough running, that can further aggravate vibrations.

Inspect all engine mounts carefully, watching for cracked rubber or broken brackets. Any signs of fluid leakage, corrosion, or loose bolts indicates replacement is needed. Replacing worn mounts restores stability, smooths idle, and reduces steering wheel shake.

How to Troubleshoot the Cause of Steering Wheel Shake?

Pinpointing what’s triggering an aggravating steering wheel vibration requires some detective work and process of elimination. Here are some key troubleshooting steps:

• Inspect the tires closely – Look for any obvious signs of damage, irregular wear patterns, or leaks indicating internal problems. Tires may need balancing, rotating, or aligning.
• Check lug nuts – Ensure lug nuts are tightened to the proper torque spec with a calibrated wrench. Consider adding thread locker for extra insurance against loosening.
• Test at different speeds – Low speed vibrations under 40 mph point toward warped brake rotors or bad wheel bearings as likely culprits. High speed shake suggests alignment issues or problems with wheels, tires or drivetrain components.
• Pay attention to when it occurs – Does it happen only when braking or turning? That narrows it down to suspension or brakes. Overall vibration at all speeds hints at a bent wheel, worn driveline mounts, or axle issue.
• Compare vibration in front and rear – If it’s only up front, focus on brakes, bearings, tie rods or bad suspension parts. All over vibration indicates tires, wheels, axles, or engine mounts as possible offenders.
• Inspect key components – Have your mechanic put the car up on a lift and check for play in the tie rods, ball joints, engine and transmission mounts. They can also diagnose any issues with bearings, joints or bushings.
• Address any related problems – Rough running, misfiring, squeaking, clunking and knocking can contribute to or hint at what’s causing the vibe. Fix any worn parts or engine issues to isolate the shake.

While it takes some patience and investigation, following these troubleshooting steps can zero in on the true cause of any annoying steering wheel shake. Then the proper repairs can be made to get your wheels, tires, brakes or other components rolling smooth again!

Stopping Steering Wheel Vibrations for Good

Dealing with a shaking, wobbling steering wheel can be unnerving and make your vehicle feel unpredictable. But identifying the underlying cause and making the right fixes gets you back on the road with confidence. Here are some tips for keeping the vibrations away for the long run:

• Inspect tires frequently – catch any irregular wear right away and address the cause. Keep them balanced and rotated.
• Re-torque lug nuts often – use a torque wrench and follow the crisscross sequence. Consider using thread locker for extra security.
• Watch for suspension noises – clunks, squeaks or knocking noises suggest worn parts needing attention.
• Check steering for any tight spots or looseness while turning. This helps catch issues before they worsen.
• Listen for bearing noise – catch them before excessive wear allows vibrations.
• Align wheels regularly – keep the angles in spec to reduce tire wear and strain on components.
• Be cautious of potholes & curbs – they can bend wheels, damage tires and throw off alignment.

While a vibrating steering wheel is never fun, identifying the root mechanical cause is key to smoothing it out. Don’t ignore any new or worsening shake issues. Catching problems early prevents bigger bills down the road. With proactive maintenance and the right repairs, you can say goodbye to that disconcerting steering wheel wobble for good!

Conclusion

A shaking steering wheel can be alarming, but it is rarely a dire emergency. In most cases, some fairly routine wheel, tire, or suspension repairs can eliminate the frustrating vibrations. Now that you know what typically causes steering shake at low and high speeds, you can better troubleshoot your particular issues. With a methodical inspection, road testing and process of elimination, you can isolate the true problem.

Address any worn parts, alignment issues, tire balance concerns or damaged components early on to prevent bigger problems. Following the maintenance tips will help reduce your chances of future steering vibration too. While shaking steering is no fun, a bit of diligence and diagnostics gets you cruising smoothly again in no time.