What is the reason for steering wheel vibration at 120 km/h?
2 Answers
High-speed steering wheel vibration at 120 km/h is caused by: 1. Force feedback effect; 2. Issues with the vehicle's tires; 3. Deformation of front wheel rims or unequal number of tire bolts; 4. Loose installation of transmission system components; 5. Bent drive shaft, power imbalance, or deformed front axle; 6. Shock absorber malfunction. The inspections needed for steering wheel vibration are: 1. Check whether the tread is cracked; 2. Check whether the tread is scratched or punctured by nails; 3. If the tire has been impacted, check whether the tread has bulges; 4. Use a tire balancer to perform tire balancing and identify the unbalanced positions and the required counterweight size.
Once when I was driving on the highway at 120 km/h, the steering wheel vibrated so much that my hands went numb, just like a phone vibrating. It was really scary. Later, I went for a check-up, and the mechanic said it was due to improper tire balancing—the wheels didn't have counterweights, which amplified the imbalance. I usually neglect maintenance and just hit the road right after changing tires, so this time I learned the hard way. After getting the balancing done, the vibration stopped. It could also have been due to a deformed rim or loose suspension, but balancing issues are the most common. I recommend everyone to do this simple maintenance regularly, especially after getting new tires. High-speed vibrations affect handling and lead to driver fatigue, which is very dangerous. If you encounter such a problem, don’t delay—get it fixed immediately.
