Your car’s steering wheel moves up and down to accommodate a variety of drivers, but one thing it shouldn’t generally do is vibrate. If this part of your car is shaking at highway speed (80-100 km/h), it can be a sign of a serious problem that could cause you to crash or break down. In this article, we’ll cover the primary causes of steering wheel vibration in Vancouver so that you know what to look for and what you may need to have checked out.
Improper Wheel Balancing
Balancing ensures that all four wheels are evenly weighted so that they apply the same amount of pressure to the road. If the wheels aren’t properly balanced, they’ll vibrate much more at higher speeds, which can lead to parts of your car shaking at highway speed.
Alignment Issues
All of the different suspension components need to be fully aligned for your vehicle to drive smoothly. If the suspension isn’t properly aligned, the vehicle won’t drive straight and will start shaking and shuddering the faster you drive.
Tire Damage
If one or more of your tires are damaged, overinflated, underinflated, or have worn-out or uneven tread, you’ll also notice more issues with your steering wheel shaking when driving on the highway. Uneven tread can sometimes be fixed by having your tires rotated. Damaged tires or tires with worn-out tread should always be replaced as soon as possible. Even if the tires are fairly new, it’s always best to replace at least two or all four of them at the same time to avoid further issues.
Bent Rims
Shaking and vibration are among the most common bent rim symptoms. A bent rim can lead to the tire frequently going flat. Even worse, it increases the chances of the tire blowing out at high speed, potentially causing you to get into a serious accident.
Worn Suspension Parts
Suspension components always slowly wear out over time, eventually throwing the vehicle out of alignment if not repaired or replaced. Worn-out suspension components also cause increased wear on the tires, causing the vehicle to shake and vibrate even more.
Warped or Damaged Brake Rotors
Your brake rotors can also make your steering wheel vibrate. Rotor issues can cause vibration whenever you’re slowing down, but the vibration is usually much more pronounced when driving on the highway.
If you’re experiencing steering wheel vibration in Vancouver, SuperTech Auto Repair has the solutions to help you overcome it. We offer professional steering and suspension repair services, tire replacement, wheel alignments, and more. To schedule service, contact us today.
