No driver likes it when their steering wheel starts shaking. This is a sure sign that there’s something going wrong with your vehicle, and it can also make driving unnecessarily stressful and scary.
If the road is smooth and your ride still feels jerky, there’s nothing to blame except for the vehicle itself. Waiting for the problem to take care of itself will only make things worse, so we strongly suggest that you take action as soon as possible when you notice that your steering wheel is shaking.
There are multiple potential causes for a shaking steering wheel, and some of them may even surprise you. Depending on how your car is shaking, it may provide clues that can help a car repair professional resolve the issue.
Once you notice the problem, take note of when it gets worse. For example, is it worse at high speeds or low speeds? Is it worse when you’re braking? All of this information can help a mechanic determine the cause of your shaky steering wheel.
Why Is My Steering Wheel Shaking?
If your steering wheel shakes, vibrates, or wobbles at either low or high speeds, here are the areas of your vehicle you should be investigating.
#1. Unbalanced wheels.
Over the course of your daily drives, the weight placement in your tires can become unevenly distributed. Often found in lightweight suspension systems, the uneven distribution can lead to issues with the shocks, struts, and other steering components.
Simply stop by a service centre to have the technicians check and properly balance the tires.
#2. Misalignment.
The reason why your steering wheel is shaking may be the result of a misalignment.
Similar to unbalanced wheels, when tires are moved out of their proper position from driving on uneven roads with potholes, railroads, and etc., the misalignment can cause steering wheels issues and more.
A sign that it’s time for an alignment is if you notice the tread on the tires is uneven.
Over time, road turbulence, rough driving, and other hazards can throw off this alignment—causing one or more of your wheels to rest at a skewed angle. Even slight alignment issues can cause steering wheel shaking or vibrations.
In addition to steering wheel shaking, wheel alignment troubles can cause uneven and accelerated wear on your tires. A quick wheel alignment service can address this issue and its symptoms. If you are unsure whether or not you need an alignment service, bring your vehicle in for a free alignment inspection.
#3. Bad bearings.
If you notice, “my steering wheel shakes when turning,” it may be bad bearings. Wheel bearings are a crucial part of the wheel that connects it to the axle.
When there is damage to the bearing or it is not properly lubricated, it can cause frictions which can give your steering wheel shakes, usually only when turning.
#4. Suspension issues.
Another cause of steering wheel issues is a result of worn or loose parts, or an imbalance driveshaft. While these are relatively common fixes, they shouldn’t be put off. Waiting to fix these problems can exacerbate the damage and lead to more expensive repairs.
Your vehicle’s suspension is a network of systems connecting your car to its tires—including shock absorbers, coils/springs, joints, bushings, and more. Any one of these components can encounter an issue that throws off your vehicle’s handling. As you might have guessed, issues with your suspension can create steering wheel shaking.
If you have ruled out all other potential sources of steering wheel vibrations, it is likely sourced from suspension troubles. Determining the exact nature of this issue will likely require an inspection from a professional mechanic.
#5. Brake issues.
When you find yourself noticing, “my steering wheel shakes when I slow down,” the issue lies within your brakes. The problem can lie anywhere in the brake system from worn brake pads, defective brake discs, to even worn shocks.
When it comes to safety, the main priority are the brakes. A blown engine may not allow you to drive the car, but faulty brakes will fail to stop the car, which is way more dangerous.
Normally if there is a brake issue, you will only feel steering wheel vibration while braking. However, a stuck brake caliper will cause a noticeable steering wheel shake at high speeds.
Why Does My Steering Wheel Shake When Braking
Below are some causes of steering wheel shakes due to your brake system. This problem will occur when you apply your brakes.
Worn Brake Pads
What’s happening: When you press down on the brake pedal, you kick start a series of rapid events. As you step on the pedal a caliper applies pressure to the brake pad, which in turn clinches down on the rotors. (Similar to how bicycle brakes work.) This brings your car to a stop.
If anything is “off” with said brake pad, you may feel it in your steering wheel. Brake pads that are old, worn, or particularly dirty cannot grip the rotor effectively and can cause your steering wheel to quiver.
What to do: Calipers were built to last for the long haul. Rotors and brake pads, on the other hand, tend to wear out over time. Thankfully rotors can be resurfaced or replaced, and brake pads can easily be replaced too.
A quick brake inspection at your local Firestone Complete Auto Care can clue you into how much life may be left in your brake pads.
Dry Guide Pins
What’s happening: If your steering wheel is shaking as you’re trying to stop, dry guide pins could also be the culprit. The guide pins are part of the brake calipers. They’re in charge of guiding the brake pad to the rotor (hence the name).
To do their job effectively, these guide pins need to be clean and lubricated. If guide pins become dry or corroded, they could cause the caliper to stick or cause the brake pads to press the rotor at the wrong angle. The result? Vibrations in the steering wheel.
What to do: Inspecting and lubricating caliper guide pins is best left up to professionals, as it involves taking off the caliper, examining the caliper housing, and handling high-temperature grease.
Warped Rotors
What’s happening: If you feel a pulsing in the brake pedal and a wobbling of the steering wheel when slowing at highway speeds, your rotors could be signaling trouble. When you step on the brake and the brake pads press down on the rotors, the rotors become extremely hot.
Naturally, this heat can cause the rotors to become worn, warped, and uneven over time. Since your brake pads will be pressing onto a surface that isn’t smooth, your braking and steering won’t feel smooth either.
What to do: To get to the bottom of this issue, a technician can do one of two things. They can spin the rotors by hand and feel for any irregularities, or they can remove the rotors and measure them with a micrometer. If a rotor is worn down to the minimum thickness specification, the rotor cannot be resurfaced and must be replaced.
When it comes to replacing brake rotors, every car is different. The need for brake rotor replacement or resurfacing is best determined with an inspection and review of the vehicle manufacturer standards, which our technicians can do during a fast and free brake check.
Quick Reference: Possible Causes According to Driving Conditions
| Cause | Low Speeds | High Speeds | Braking | Cornering |
| Out-of-balance tires | X | |||
| Tire flat spots | X | x | ||
| Uneven tire wear | x | X | ||
| Wheel damage | X | x | ||
| Wheel bearing issues | x | X | ||
| Axle damage | X | X | ||
| Engine problems | X | x | ||
| Broken engine mount | X | x | ||
| Warped brake rotors | X | |||
| Uneven brake pad wear | X | |||
| Misaligned brake pads | X | |||
| Stuck brake caliper | X | x | ||
| Driveshaft problems | x | X | ||
| Worn tie rod ends | X | |||
| Worn ball joints |
“x” = possible scenario; “X” = most likely scenario
How to Diagnose Steering Wheel Vibrations
Step #1 – Identify the Conditions
Pay attention to when the vibrations occur. Do they happen at low speeds, high speeds, during braking, while cornering, or when driving straight? This information will help narrow down potential causes.
Step #2 – Check Your Tires
Inspect your tires for low pressure, uneven wear, or any type of damage. Get your tires rotated and see if the shaking changes. If it does, tire balance or wear issues are likely the culprit.
Step #3 – Inspect the Wheels
Look for visible damage to your wheels or rims. Jack up the car and spin each wheel, watching for wobbling that could indicate bent rims or worn wheel bearings.
Step #4 – Test the Brakes
If steering wheel shakes occur mainly during braking, pay attention to any pulsing in the brake pedal. This could indicate warped rotors or caliper issues.
Step #5 – Examine Suspension Components
Check for loose or worn suspension parts, particularly tie rod ends and ball joints. Any play in these components can cause vibration issues.
Step #6 – Consider Recent Changes
Think about any recent work done on your vehicle or any accidents it’s been in. New tires, recent alignments, or small fender benders can all lead to vibration issues.
Step #7 – Road Test Time
Drive your vehicle on a safe, straight road. Gradually increase speed and note at what point vibrations begin or intensify. This can help pinpoint speed-dependent issues. Having another person in the car can help as they can better hear issues located closer to the passenger side.
Step #8 – Get a Professional Diagnosis
If you can’t identify the problem or lack the tools or expertise to fix it, make an appointment with a local service center or independent mechanic. They’ll be able to perform more in-depth diagnostics and ultimately fix the problem.