If your steering wheel vibrates only when you depress the brake pedal, there is likely an issue with your brakes. If your brake rotors are out of tolerance or have high runout, this can cause vibrations when you use the brakes. Runout occurs mostly on front-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles that use CV axles to drive the wheels. Each wheel will have a small amount of wobble as it rotates, and this is called runout. Since most rotors are designed with tolerances to prevent wobbling, this motion is magnified through the rotor and causes vibration that can be felt through the steering wheel and brake pedal.
The only way to fix the runout is to have the rotors resurfaced or “turned” while they are on the vehicle. This will remove the runout from the rotor and match the rotor to the CV axle. Turning rotors on the car is a technical process, and the equipment needed to turn rotors while they are still installed is expensive, so most people take their vehicles to a mechanic to have this repair completed. If you don’t have a mechanic that can turn rotors on your car, we can help you find a local repair shop that can perform this repair for you. If you prefer to take on the repairs yourself and the rotors can be resurfaced off the vehicle, most of our O’Reilly Auto Parts locations offer brake rotor and drum resurfacing for a small fee.
Everyone enjoys an easy drive, whether you’re on a road trip, commuting, or even if you are only driving a short distance. Driving any distance may be less comfortable and enjoyable, or could even be unsafe, if your steering wheel begins to shake. If your steering wheel shakes or vibrates while driving, it is a sign something is wrong, worn, or damaged in the steering or suspension systems and requires prompt attention. Anything that causes your steering wheel to shake should be repaired as soon as possible, especially if you experience your steering wheel shaking at high speeds, since this can quickly lead to a loss of control or an accident.
Causes of Steering Wheel Shake
The steering wheel is connected to various parts of the steering and suspension system. There can be a variety of steering system types depending on the vehicle’s year, make, and model. Any parts that are connected to the steering system failing or falling out of tolerance may cause the steering wheel to shake. This can occur constantly, during acceleration or braking, or at specific speeds, depending on what parts have been affected. Properly diagnosing what is causing the steering wheel to shake can help you find the right repair options to restore comfortable and safe handling to your vehicle. Below are some common causes of steering wheel shake that should be inspected if you experience any poor steering symptoms.
Out-of-Balance or Flat-Spotted Tires
Tires that are out of balance are one of the most common causes of a steering wheel shake. Tires and wheels are balanced when they are installed on your vehicle, but over time issues like poor road conditions and rough driving patterns can cause one or more of the wheels to fall out of balance. Underinflated tires and uneven tire pressure can also contribute to tires that are out of balance, and tire pressure is part of your maintenance routine that should not be neglected. Depending on the severity of the balance issue, your steering wheel may shake all the time or at specific speeds. It is recommended you take your vehicle to a local repair shop that offers tire balancing as soon as possible if you suspect you have a tire that has fallen out of balance.
Another tire issue that may cause your steering wheel to shake is a flat-spotted tire. Tires can become flat-spotted if the brakes lock up and cause the tires to slide. They can also develop a flat spot if your vehicle sits for a long period of time without moving. If your tires develop a flat spot, you will experience a vibration through the steering wheel that may be felt throughout the entire vehicle. If you have one or more tires that have developed flat spots, it is recommended you have the tire(s) replaced as soon as possible. It is also recommended that tires be replaced in pairs, or that all four are replaced at the same time to ensure they wear evenly and last as long as possible. For more information on recognizing tire wear problems, check out our article on how to perform a tire inspection.
Brake System Issues
Brake calipers do not normally cause vibrations that can be felt in the steering wheel. However, if a brake caliper seizes or “sticks”, it can cause the vehicle to pull and the steering wheel to shake. This normally only occurs when you are not using the brakes because the brake calipers will stick when the brake pads are pressed against the calipers and do not release. This usually feels like driving with your brake pedal pressed, as one or more wheels may not be spinning and can pull your vehicle in one direction or another. Sticking calipers are often caused by worn brake hoses, debris, improper brake pad installation, or poor brake bleeding, and typically require caliper and pad replacement to complete the repair.
If the brake pads are wearing unevenly, they can also cause vibrations when they are pressed against the rotors. There are several issues which can cause your brake pads to wear unevenly. Some of these include stuck calipers, wheel misalignment, excessive rust on the rotors, a variation in rotor thickness, or mismatched brake pads. If you notice one brake pad is significantly thinner or thicker than the other pad on the same wheel, or if there is an angled wear pattern on the brake pad, you will need to replace the brake pads and hardware, and possibly replace or resurface the rotors at the same time. Replacing the brake pads and rotors alone may fix the issue, but if this does not restore your braking and handling, you may also want to have a mechanic look at your vehicle to diagnose any other issues in your vehicle’s brake system.
Wheel Misalignment
The suspension on your vehicle is designed to align the wheels and tires to make sure they make even contact with the pavement and allow the vehicle to drive straight. Driving over rough terrain or driving over potholes and railroad tracks too fast can knock your vehicle out of alignment. If one of your wheels is at an inappropriate angle relative to the rest of the vehicle, it can cause drag which can result in shaking or vibrations through the steering wheel and the entire vehicle. Even being slightly out of alignment can cause shaking or vibrations in the suspension and can often be felt in the steering wheel. If your vehicle is out of alignment, you may notice that your vehicle pulls to one side as you drive or brake. You can also inspect your tire tread for irregular wear to see if your vehicle is out of alignment, as this will cause your tires to rapidly wear at the inner or outer edges. If you suspect your vehicle is out of alignment, you can take it to a local repair shop to have the alignment checked or adjusted and restore your handling.
Worn Out Suspension Parts
The suspension system connects the steering wheel to the tires using struts, shock absorbers, springs, bushings, and more. If one or more of these components fails, it can cause your steering wheel to shake. On many vehicles, the suspension bushings will wear out before other components. When the bushings wear out, you will likely hear a clunking or groaning sound when you drive over bumps. You may also feel a shake or vibration in the steering wheel at the same time.
When shocks and struts fail, the tires may travel up and down more than they should. This extra travel will cause the tires to bounce more, and this extra bounce can also cause the steering wheel to shake or vibrate. You may also feel the vibrations throughout the vehicle. It is important to check the condition of your suspension components to determine if anything is noticeably loose or has visible physical damage.
CV Axle Problems
Most front-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles use CV axles to connect the wheel end to the transaxle or front differential. Since these axles are also connected to the steering and suspension systems, any vibrations or shaking caused by damaged or failing CV axles will likely be transferred through the steering wheel. When CV axles fail, you may notice a ticking sound when you turn before you feel any vibrations. As the joints in the CV axles wear, the axle will begin to fall out of balance and can cause vibrations. At first the vibrations may be minor and only noticeable at specific speeds, but as their condition worsens, the vibrations may become so severe that they can not only be felt through the steering wheel, but through the whole vehicle. If you catch the clicking noise before the axle begins to vibrate, you may be able to have the CV axle serviced to prevent vibrations and eventual failure. However, once the vibrations become noticeable, you will likely need to completely replace the CV axle or half-shaft. You can check out our selection of CV axles and driveshafts to find the exact-fit replacement for your vehicle.
Bad Wheel Bearings
While it is not common for wheel bearings to cause the steering wheel to shake, it is a possibility. Wheel bearings are designed to operate smoothly without any vibrations. However, as the bearings wear, fail, or experience inadequate lubrication, friction inside the bearing can increase and cause vibrations when you turn the steering wheel. If the vibrations are intense enough, they may travel through the suspension and steering system to the steering wheel. Wheel bearing issues may be resolved by repacking the bearings with grease or replacing them with a new bearing or hub assembly.
Rack and Pinion or Steering Gearbox Wear
Your vehicle is equipped with either a rack and pinion unit or steering gearbox to transfer the motion of the steering wheel to the wheels. As these components wear, you may notice loose or sloppy steering and your steering may have a large amount of play or a “dead spot” where you can move the steering wheel and your vehicle does not turn. When play develops in the steering, it can cause the front wheels on your vehicle to fall out of alignment. As mentioned previously, your steering wheel may shake if the wheels are not aligned correctly, and the play in the steering can magnify any bumps in the road or terrain. In some situations, you may be able to have the rack and pinion or steering gearbox serviced to return it to proper operation. However, you will likely need to have these components replaced if you notice any leaks or if you struggle to control your vehicle because of excessive play in the steering.
Power Steering Failure
If your power steering is failing, you may feel the steering wheel shake when your vehicle is idling. This type of shaking is normally caused by the power steering pump sending a pulse through the rack and pinion or steering gear box. Because of the low engine RPMs, the power steering pump is not able to send constant pressure through the power steering system, and vibrations will be felt in the steering wheel. You can inspect your accessory drive belt first to assess its condition. If the belt is in good condition, you may need to replace the power steering pump. If you are unsure if this is the reason for a shaking steering wheel, you can take your vehicle to a local repair shop for professional diagnosis or repair.
Steering Rag or U-Joint Wear
The steering columns on most vehicles are equipped with either rag joints or U-joints designed to absorb vibrations and prevent steering column binding. Over time, age and wear will allow more vibrations to travel through the steering column to the steering wheel, and it may also allow more play in the movement of the steering wheel. If the wear is advanced enough, you may feel or hear a clunking noise when you turn the steering wheel or notice shaking due to the worn parts. If a rag joint or U-joint fails, your steering column may bind when turning. If it separates, you may suffer a complete loss of steering ability. If you suspect any issues in your steering column or steering wheel, you should have your vehicle diagnosed by a professional mechanic as soon as possible to prevent the risk of catastrophic failure and loss of control.
Is It Safe To Drive If My Steering Wheel Shakes?
The steering on your vehicle needs to be tight and steady to keep your vehicle under control. If your steering wheel shakes or vibrates while you are driving, it may make your steering system less reactive or prevent you from turning your vehicle safely. If the steering wheel shake is caused by the brakes, it may also mean you cannot safely stop your vehicle. Since most of the causes of a shaking steering wheel are also safety issues, it is recommended that you complete your diagnosis and repair or find a professional technician to help address the issue as quickly as possible.
We hope this has helped you understand what may cause your steering wheel to shake and how to diagnose the issue. Shop our replacement parts for brake systems, shocks and struts, chassis and steering, wheel bearings, CV axles and driveshafts, and more to complete the repair on your vehicle. If you are unsure of what is causing your steering wheel to shake or do not feel comfortable completing the repair yourself, we would be happy to recommend a local repair shop to diagnose and repair your vehicle.
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