What Causes Car Shaking After Installing New Tires?
2 Answers
Car shaking after installing new tires may be due to wheel-related issues. Steering Damage: During driving, collisions may cause deformation of the tie rods and steering linkage. Wear and tear on ball joints or irregular tire wear can lead to changes in toe-in or toe-out. Additionally, damaged steering dampers, oil leaks, or deformed front suspension springs can affect vehicle stability. Camber Issues: All four wheels should be perpendicular to the ground. If they tilt inward (negative camber) or outward (positive camber), the car will shake while driving. In severe cases, imbalance may occur even on regular roads, not just at high speeds. The more precise the wheel alignment, the more stable the car runs. Some vehicles may perform well on regular roads but exhibit problems on highways, or maintain stability at 100 km/h but develop issues at higher speeds - this depends entirely on the accuracy of the wheel alignment.
I've seen many cases of car shaking after tire replacement, mainly due to improper wheel balancing. Some tire shops get lazy and skip the balancing test when installing new tires, causing vibrations at speeds over 60 km/h. Another possible cause is unclean wheel rims, where old adhesive or rust affects the balance. Tire pressure can also be a factor—too high pressure makes tires stiff and increases vibration, while too low pressure causes deformation and shaking. If new tires are of incorrect size or different brands, poor matching can also lead to shaking. It's recommended to return to the shop immediately for a free rebalancing if issues arise, as prolonged driving can damage the suspension system and compromise safety. Always test at low speeds before long trips to ensure smooth operation.