What causes steering wheel vibration at speeds between 110 km/h and 120 km/h?
3 Answers
Reasons for steering wheel vibration when driving between 110 km/h and 120 km/h: 1. During driving, collisions may cause deformation of the steering tie rod and steering cross rod: wear and looseness of various ball joints or irregular tire wear can lead to an increase or decrease in toe-in. 2. While driving, damage to the steering damper: oil leakage or deformation of the front suspension spring can also affect stability. 3. Looseness of the wheel hub bearings and severe wear of the left and right steering knuckle ball joints: can result in inaccurate front wheel alignment. 4. Looseness of the lateral thrust rod ball joint or bracket: causes driving instability. 5. Wheel imbalance: loss of the original wheel balancing weights or changes can lead to front-end wobble during high-speed driving, resulting in steering wheel vibration.
I also encountered a similar issue on the highway recently—the steering wheel would shake violently once the speed reached 110 km/h. The most likely cause is a problem with tire dynamic balance, especially when the front tires are unbalanced, as high-speed rotation can produce noticeable vibrations. If the tires have been patched, curbed, lost balancing weights, or become deformed, it can all affect balance. Another possibility is slight wheel rim deformation or worn/loose wheel bearings. I recommend visiting a reputable tire shop for a dynamic balance test—it usually costs just a few dozen yuan to fix. If the balance checks out, then the suspension system should be inspected, such as for worn ball joints or deformed tie rods. Aging components like these can also cause high-speed vibrations—don’t overlook potential safety hazards.
Steering wheel vibration between 110-120 km/h is quite common, mostly due to tire issues. Tire deformation or uneven wear are typical causes, especially with older tires that have been used for several years or non-OEM size replacements, where uneven tread force distribution causes shaking at high speeds. Additionally, faulty wheel bearings can also cause vibration; if the bearings lack lubrication or are severely worn, gaps can form, leading to wheel wobble that transmits to the steering wheel at high speeds. Don’t overlook suspension problems either—for example, if the lower control arm bushings are aged or cracked, the entire suspension system can become loose, making the chassis unstable and causing shaking. It’s advisable to check for tire bulges or uneven wear, loose wheel bearings, and the condition of suspension bushings—these can all be inspected roughly by yourself first.
