What Causes the Rear Wheels to Bounce and Sway Side to Side?
2 Answers
The reasons for the rear wheels bouncing and swaying side to side are: 1. Inconsistent tire pressure: Check if the tire pressure on both sides is the same. If the difference in tire pressure between the two front wheels exceeds 1.9 bar, you can clearly feel shaking and the vehicle pulling to one side. 2. Wheel balance issues: Uneven mass distribution of the wheels can create constantly changing directional forces during rotation, affecting the wheel's balance. 3. Wheel rim deformation: If the wheel rim becomes deformed or loses its roundness, it can lead to vibrations, pulling to one side, and abnormal tire wear while driving. When a tire suffers external impacts, such as hitting potholes or speed bumps at high speed, it may cause slight deformation of the wheel rim. Tires with a low aspect ratio are more prone to wheel rim deformation. 4. Shock absorber failure: The suspension's shock absorbers and springs affect ride comfort, and a faulty shock absorber can reduce driving stability, leading to noises and vibrations while driving, as well as body tilting that prevents high-speed driving.
When I'm driving, I feel a strong wobble in the rear wheels, most likely caused by tire imbalance, especially noticeable at high speeds—it's like the wheels are dancing. This wobbling could be due to uneven tire wear or mud stuck on the tires that hasn't been cleaned off, affecting the balance. Another common issue is with the suspension system, such as worn-out shock absorbers or loose springs, preventing the wheels from staying firmly on the ground. Worn wheel bearings can also cause side-to-side wobbling, making it feel like the chassis is swaying. More seriously, rim deformation often occurs after hitting potholes or curbs, preventing the tires from rotating smoothly. I recommend getting it checked promptly—start with a balance test at a tire shop. If it turns out to be a suspension or bearing issue, get it repaired immediately; otherwise, driving won't just be uncomfortable but also prone to losing control.
