What causes steering wheel vibration when driving at 120 km/h?
2 Answers
Steering wheel vibration when driving at 120 km/h can be caused by the following reasons: Reaction force between tires and road surface: The vibration is caused by the reaction force generated when tires contact the road surface. Since cars rely on four wheels to contact the ground, and the road surface is never perfectly flat. On the same road surface, a car driving at low speed has smaller contact area with the road compared to high-speed driving, resulting in less force feedback to the steering wheel. When driving at high speed, the tire's contact area with the road increases, leading to greater force feedback, creating a noticeable contrast with low-speed driving. Vehicle-related issues: All four wheels should be perpendicular to the ground. If there is inward or outward tilt, foreign objects on the tire surface, loss of wheel balance weights, deformed wheel hubs, excessive steering linkage clearance, insufficient tire pressure, or any other vehicle-related issues, the car will vibrate when driven.
Steering wheel shakes at 120 km/h, I've experienced similar issues. The main cause is improper tire balancing, where minor imperfections get amplified into severe vibrations at high speeds. Wheel rim deformation or uneven tire wear can also lead to similar problems, especially in older vehicles. Suspension system failures like leaking shock absorbers or loose tie rods allow vibrations to transmit more directly to the steering wheel. Warped brake discs become more noticeable at high speeds, with disc surface deformation after braking worsening the shaking. I recommend visiting a professional shop for wheel balancing tests - it's low-cost and quickly effective. Regular maintenance of tires and suspension can prevent this. High-speed vibrations are dangerous as they may cause loss of steering control or driver fatigue, so timely repairs are crucial.
