Why Does My Steering Wheel Shake? Causes and Fixes for Redding Drivers
Get Rid of That Shake in Your Steering Wheel
When the shake happens tells us where to look: at highway speed it's usually tires or wheels, when braking it's usually the rotors.
A light vibration at highway speed: book soon. A strong shake, one getting worse, or one with clunking: book now.
Why does my steering wheel shake? At highway speed, the usual cause is tires that are out of balance or unevenly worn. If it shakes when you brake, the brake rotors are likely warped. Worn suspension parts, a bad CV axle, or a wheel bearing can also cause vibration.
A vibration you feel in the steering wheel comes from something at the front of the car that isn't spinning smoothly. Pay attention to when it happens: that's the biggest clue.
Common causes of a shaking steering wheel
- Out-of-balance or unevenly worn tires. Usually felt between 50 and 70 mph. Tire rotation
- Warped brake rotors. The shake or a pulsing pedal shows up when you brake. Brake repair
- Worn suspension or steering parts. Loose parts let the wheels wobble. Steering and suspension repair
- A worn CV axle or wheel bearing. Often vibrates when accelerating. Axle and CV joint repair
- Alignment problems. Usually cause uneven wear that then causes vibration. Wheel alignment
Feeling a shake?
Book an inspection and we'll pinpoint whether it's tires, brakes, or suspension.
How we find the cause and fix it
- We road test to see when the vibration happens: speed, braking, or accelerating.
- We inspect tires, wheels, rotors, axles, bearings, and suspension parts.
- We show you photos of what's worn and give you an estimate before any work.
- We road test again after the repair to confirm the shake is gone.
Smooth out your ride.
Book a vibration diagnosis with photos of what we find.
Is it safe to keep driving?
A mild vibration at highway speed can wait a few days. A strong shake, one that's getting worse, or one with clunking noises means book now, since a failing part can affect steering and braking. See also clunking over bumps.
Services we offer that could fix your problem
We confirm the cause first, then recommend only the repair you need.
- Wheel AlignmentStop Pulling and Uneven Tire Wear With a Precision AlignmentLearn more
- Tire RotationMake Your Tires Last Longer and Save MoneyLearn more
- BrakesStop Safely and Confidently Every Time You Hit the BrakesLearn more
- Axle ServiceFix Clunks and Vibrations Before an Axle Leaves You StrandedLearn more
- Steering And SuspensionRestore Safe, Responsive Handling on Every DriveLearn more
Common questions
Why Does My Steering Wheel Shake?
At highway speed, the usual cause is tires that are out of balance or unevenly worn. If it shakes when you brake, the brake rotors are likely warped. Worn suspension parts, a bad CV axle, or a wheel bearing can also cause vibration.
Why does my steering wheel shake at high speed?
Most often the tires are out of balance or unevenly worn. Bent wheels and worn suspension parts are other causes.
Why does my steering wheel shake when I brake?
Usually warped or unevenly worn brake rotors. You may also feel the brake pedal pulse.
Can bad alignment cause vibration?
Indirectly. Poor alignment wears tires unevenly, and those worn tires cause vibration.