How to diagnose a shaking steering wheel

A worn, faulty or out of balance chassis component can be felt through a vibration in the steering wheel. Either as a shimmy, jiggle, or shake. However, because multiple parts can cause this, finding the root cause can be both frustrating and time-consuming for even the most experienced technicians. Here we provide an insight into the main causes, symptoms and fixes to help you streamline your repair work. 

Tyre balance

The weight distribution in every tyre varies slightly. To compensate for this, additional weights must be added to the wheel after a new tyre is installed. Unfortunately, these weights can easily be displaced, resulting in an unbalanced wheel. A common cause of steering wheel vibration, this is usually felt at higher speeds, and becomes progressively worse the faster the vehicle gets. On a positive note, it is also relatively easy to fix. Simply perform a wheel balance and check each tyre for any damage and wear. If ignored, unbalanced wheels can cause wear and tear to struts, shocks and other steering and suspension components. It’s therefore best to do this sooner rather than later.

Wheel misalignment

Another common cause of steering wheel vibration is the incorrect positioning of the wheels. One of the quickest ways to diagnose misalignment is to check the tyre’s tread. A misaligned car will often have an uneven tread, with the inside worn much more than the outside. Similarly, if the steering wheel is straight and centered, yet the vehicle still pulls to either side, it’s also likely to be misaligned. Performing a simple wheel alignment, will ensure all wheels are positioned in the same direction.

Damaged or worn wheel bearings

If the tyres and wheels are ok, your next go-to part should be the wheel bearing. Designed to secure the wheel hub to the vehicle’s suspension, and allow the wheels to turn properly, these safety critical components can cause steering wheel vibration if damaged or not lubricated sufficiently. In this instance, the steering wheel will usually only shake when turning. However, to check for sure, securely raise the vehicle, and with both hands on the tyre, in the 12 and 6 o’clock position, rock the wheel. There should be minimal movement. If it moves more than it should, or you hear a grinding noise when rotating, it’s likely that the wheel bearings are damaged. These will need replacing as soon as possible.

Worn steering or suspension parts 

It only takes a small amount of play or looseness in any one steering and suspension component to make the whole system noticeably slack. As well as affecting the vehicle’s control and stability, this can also cause steering wheel vibration. It’s therefore important to inspect the system for loose or worn components. Start by checking visible parts like the upper or lower ball joints, tie rod ends and bushings. If you see any signs of damage or excessive play, it is probably faulty and should be replaced. Similarly, loose shock mounts, damaged or detached springs and leaking shocks or struts can cause vibration in the steering wheel. These should be checked and replaced as necessary.

Brake problems

If the steering wheel only shakes when stopping its more likely down to the braking system. This is often referred to as brake judder and can be caused by disc thickness variation (DTV), loose wheel bearings and installation issues. A shaking steering wheel can also be caused if the brakes drag due to a mechanical or hydraulic fault. Or if the parking brake is engaged in error. To resolve suspected brake related issues, first measure the thickness of the brake rotor or disc using a brake disc micrometer. If it’s outside manufacturer’s tolerances, then it cannot be serviced and must be replaced. In addition, always ensure that the hub and disc mounting faces and brake caliper carriers are clean, the slider pins are lubricated and moving freely, and the wheel fasteners and disc positioning screws are correctly torqued.

Steering wheel shake can be caused by any one or more, of these, and other issues. For example, a worn joint leading to excessive tyre wear. This can complicate diagnosis somewhat. It’s therefore important to diagnose and repair any faults quickly. Whilst vibration issues can be caused by something as simple as a loose bolt or a deflated tyre, they can also signal a much bigger problem. If ignored, these could negatively impact the vehicle’s safety and stability. By following these steps, you can rule out any such issues in a logical order, saving valuable time, money and frustration.