What is the reason for steering wheel vibration at 120 km/h?
3 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.
Steering wheel vibration at 120 km/h on highways is usually caused by tire imbalance issues. When wheels rotate at high speeds, unbalanced forces get amplified and transmitted to the steering wheel. While problems like wheel hub deformation, aging suspension ball joints, or drive shaft issues may show similar symptoms, imbalance failure is the most common cause. I recommend first checking tire conditions - if there's mud buildup or uneven wear, manually clean them before conducting a balance test. Prevention is simple: get wheel balance checked every 10,000 kilometers, which can eliminate 90% of vibration risks and make driving more stable.
