A steering wheel shaking when driving at high speeds is commonly caused by issues related to the wheels, brakes, or suspension of the vehicle. Here are the main reasons:
- Wheel imbalance: The most frequent cause is unbalanced wheels. This happens when the tires are not evenly weighted, which leads to vibrations especially noticeable at speeds around 80 km/h (50 mph) or higher. It could be due to improper tire inflation, uneven tread wear, or damage to the drivetrain.
- Wheel alignment problems: If you've recently hit a curb or driven through potholes, your wheels might be out of alignment. Misaligned wheels can cause the steering wheel to vibrate and affect vehicle control.
- Brake issues: If the shaking occurs mainly while braking, the brake rotors might be warped or unevenly worn, causing the brake pads to grip unevenly and resulting in vibrations felt in the steering wheel.
- Suspension wear: In older vehicles, worn suspension components like tie rod ends, ball joints, or wheel bearings can cause a shaky steering wheel.
It is important to get these issues inspected and repaired by a mechanic promptly as driving with a shaking steering wheel can be unsafe and may lead to further vehicle damage.
