What Causes Severe Car Shaking?
3 Answers
The reasons for severe car shaking are front bearing failure and tire deformation or broken belts. The details are as follows: Front bearing failure causing shaking: Continuous rotation of the bearing increases friction over time. Factors like water ingress causing rust, bearing balls becoming out-of-round, or excessive clearance can damage the bearing. Once the balls deviate from their track, the front wheels lose balance, resulting in severe side-to-side shaking that's hard to control. Please replace the bearing promptly. The solution is to repair the front bearing. Tire deformation or broken belts causing shaking: Market tires vary in quality. Inferior rubber or belt materials can easily lead to belt breakage. Once belts are broken, the rubber can't properly contain tire pressure, significantly increasing the risk of a blowout. The solution is to replace the wheel hub.
When I first started driving, I also experienced severe car shaking, especially noticeable when exceeding 60 km/h on the highway—it felt like the steering wheel was vibrating. The most common cause is tire issues, such as abnormal tire pressure or imbalance in one of the tires. Uneven tire wear or a small bulge can also cause this. Another possibility is wheel rim deformation; hitting potholes without timely inspection can bend the rims, leading to intense vibrations. Check for other accompanying issues—if the car shakes when braking, it might be due to uneven brake rotors. In any case, you should quickly visit a repair shop for a four-wheel alignment and tire inspection. Continuing to drive like this is very dangerous; it might even cause the car to flip at high speeds. Remember, regular maintenance can prevent such troubles—don’t wait until an accident happens to regret it.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have seen many cases of car shaking, most of which are related to the suspension system. For example, if the shock absorbers are leaking oil or have aged and failed, the car body becomes unstable, and going over a speed bump feels like rocking on a boat. Broken springs can also cause this, especially when driving on rough roads, making the car sway left and right. It's also necessary to check whether the drive shaft or bearings are worn out. These problems usually occur in older cars due to lack of maintenance leading to part fatigue. The driving experience is terrible, not only affecting handling but also easily distracting attention. If you encounter such issues, don't try to fix them yourself to save trouble. It's best to go to a professional shop for diagnosis with equipment to avoid overlooking hidden dangers like brake system failures. Pay attention to road safety in daily driving, and avoiding gravel roads can extend the lifespan of parts.
