Steering Wheel Shaking: Causes by When It Happens
Where and when the shake happens tells you most of what you need. At one highway speed, it is usually a tire. Only when braking, it is usually the brakes. A sudden violent shake after a bump at speed points to worn steering or suspension parts, and that one is a safety issue.
Stay safe first
- If the steering shakes violently, slow down gently and pull over safely. Do not drive at speed until the front end has been checked.
- If the shake comes with a loose or wandering feel, a clunk, or a pull to one side, have it inspected before you keep driving.
Shakes at certain highway speeds and smooths out faster or slower
Likely causes
- Out-of-balance tire or wheel
- Bent wheel, or a tire with a bulge or uneven wear
- Missing wheel weight
What to check
- Look at each tire for bulges, flat spots or uneven wear, and check tire pressures.
- Have the wheels balanced. It is quick and inexpensive and is the most common cure.
- If it persists after balancing, have a shop check for a bent wheel and tire problems.
Shakes only when you brake
Likely causes
- Warped or unevenly worn brake rotors
- Stuck brake caliper
- Worn brake pads
What to check
- If the brake pedal pulses as the wheel shakes, the rotors are the likely cause.
- Have the brakes inspected. Rotors can be resurfaced or replaced, and the pads checked at the same time.
- Brakes are safety equipment. If the car pulls to one side when braking, or the pedal feels soft, do not drive it.
Sudden violent shake after hitting a bump at speed
Likely causes
- Worn track bar, tie rod ends, ball joints or control arm bushings
- Worn or missing steering stabilizer on solid-axle trucks and SUVs
- Added lift kits or bigger tires that change steering geometry
What to check
- Treat this as a safety issue and slow down as soon as it starts.
- Have the track bar and its mounts, the tie rod ends, ball joints and steering linkage inspected for looseness.
- Check tire pressure, wheel balance and alignment, and mention any lift kit or larger tires to the shop.
Vibration that mainly shows up when you accelerate
Likely causes
- Worn inner CV joint on front-wheel-drive cars
- Worn engine or transmission mount
- Loose or worn suspension parts
What to check
- Notice whether the shake appears under acceleration and fades when you lift off the gas. That points to a CV joint or mount.
- Look at the CV boots for torn rubber and grease thrown around the wheel well.
- Have a shop check the mounts and axle joints.
Narrow it down for your vehicle
The same symptom can have different likely causes depending on your year, make, model and engine. Describe what you are seeing and CaliperAI will help narrow down the likely causes for your vehicle.
Related guides
General information about this symptom, not a diagnosis of your specific vehicle. Safety-critical work such as brakes, fuel and airbags is best left to a qualified mechanic.