In most cases, the reason your steering wheel is shaking is because of the alignment of your tires. “So, why is my steering wheel shaking?” Well when the tires are unbalanced, this causes your steering wheel to vibrate. There are a few other reasons why your wheel would shake as well, this is just the most common. Learn more about these causes and more with our service team at Ken Garff Chevrolet in American Fork.

Why Is My Steering Wheel Shaking?

Five Causes of a Vibrating Steering Wheel

There are five common reasons why a steering wheel would start shaking. Each is caused by a different problem with your vehicle so you’ll want to be sure that you have your vehicle checked to have the problem solved before it gets worse. Here are the five most common causes of steering wheel shaking:

• Unbalanced wheels: The weight placement of your tires is important. If the weight isn’t distributed evenly when the tire is put on, you’ll feel the vehicle vibrating. This is more likely the case in vehicles with lightweight suspension systems. If this isn’t resolved, you could have future issues with the shocks, struts, and other steering components. Simply bring your vehicle into the dealership and have the wheels checked and repositioned.
• Misalignment: Like with unbalanced wheels, improper positioning of your vehicle’s wheels can cause this issue. If you avoid obstacles like potholes and you drive over railroad tracks slowly to avoid damage, then misalignment is less likely to be the issue. It’s easy to tell when it is as you’ll notice the tread on the tires is uneven.
• Bad bearings: If there is damage or not enough lubrication to keep these bearings working properly, they will cause friction which explains the shaking of your steering wheel. However, this only causes the wheel to shake when turning. Most times a simple cleaning of the bearings can help, but if there’s damage, they’ll need to be replaced and that can typically cost up to $430 including labor costs.
• Suspension issues: If parts are worn, loose, or the driveshaft is imbalanced, this could be the cause. Though these are simple fixes, they aren’t fixes to hold off on. Waiting to have these parts fixed could cause more damage.
• Brake issues: If you notice your steering wheel shakes when slowing down, the issue lies within your brakes. Worn brake pads, defective brake discs, and even worn shocks can be the cause. Brake pads are also an easy replacement but can cost up to $300 per axle depending on where you have your vehicle serviced.

Visit the Service Center at Ken Garff Chevrolet

When the time comes to have your vehicle serviced, trust the certified technicians at Ken Garff Chevrolet to take a look. We can have you back on Pleasant Grove roads in no time. Contact our team today with any questions in the meantime about our service, to learn what color brake fluid is, or to learn more about our available service specials.