What Causes Steering Wheel Shaking at High Speed?
3 Answers
The reasons for steering wheel shaking at high speed are as follows: 1. It is a sign of poor wheel dynamic balance. You can have a dynamic balance check at the after-sales service. 2. Check whether the front and rear shock absorption support rubber blocks of the engine and transmission are normal. Here are some points to note when performing dynamic balancing: 1. When performing dynamic balancing, be sure to clean the lead blocks or mud inside the steel rim thoroughly. Otherwise, the desired effect will not be achieved, and the same problem may recur. 2. When performing dynamic balancing on new tires, first, pay attention to the tire direction and align the lightest point mark with the valve. Second, avoid applying too much lubricant on the tire, as it may cause the tire to shift during acceleration. 3. The more accurate the measurement of the distance and width from the balancer to the wheel hub, the better. This can reduce errors and minimize the amount of lead blocks needed. 4. After attaching the lead blocks, recheck the wheel dynamic balance. If the error is between 5-15g, it is acceptable for normal passenger cars. However, for performance cars that require high-speed aggressive driving, it is necessary to redo the balancing or check for other potential issues.
Having driven for so many years, I've found that steering wheel vibration on highways is usually caused by tire dynamic imbalance issues. When the speed exceeds 80 km/h and the steering wheel noticeably shakes, it's most likely due to uneven weight distribution in the wheels. Uneven tire wear or failing to perform balancing after tire repairs can cause this, and wheel rim deformation or dirt/foreign objects stuck to them can also trigger vibrations. Additionally, inaccurate four-wheel alignment data can lead to pulling and vibration, often accompanied by abnormal tire wear. I recommend first checking the tire condition and performing a dynamic balance test - this usually costs around a hundred yuan to fix. If the vibration persists, then suspension system issues should be considered. This is advice from an experienced driver - addressing these minor problems early can save significant repair costs.
When repairing cars, we often encounter customers complaining about steering wheel vibrations at high speeds. The most common cause is still the failure of wheel balancing, especially after tire replacement or patching. I usually start by inspecting the tire wear condition; if severe uneven wear is found, a four-wheel alignment check is necessary. Slight deformation of the wheel hub can also transmit noticeable vibrations at high speeds, which can be detected by spinning the wheel on a balancer. Loose ball joints in the steering linkage are another frequent factor, often accompanied by unusual noises. In fact, regular tire rotation and wheel balancing can prevent these issues, as vehicles inevitably suffer from various road impacts and wear and tear on suspension components during driving.
