Why Does the Steering Wheel Shake on the Highway?
2 Answers
There are several reasons why the steering wheel shakes when driving at high speeds: 1. Overheating of the brake discs or brake pads, which deform when cooled, causing the steering wheel to shake. This can occur due to excessive braking frequency or overly aggressive braking. It typically manifests as sudden shaking during high-speed driving. Solution: Replace the brake discs or brake pads. 2. Issues with the drivetrain. This usually appears as steering wheel shaking at speeds between 80 km/h and 90 km/h, with normal operation resuming above 90 km/h. Solution: Lift the front axle and test the wheels. If misaligned, adjust them. If the tires are severely deformed, replace them. 3. Inconsistent tire pressure or abnormal tire pressure among the four tires. Solution: Identify the cause and replace the tires if necessary. 4. Problems with wheel alignment. The most common issue is changes in alignment parameters such as toe angle, camber angle, kingpin inclination angle, and caster angle. Solution: Perform a four-wheel alignment. 5. Disrupted wheel balance. Changes in tire weight distribution, such as uneven tire wear or wheel hub deformation, can disrupt wheel balance. Solution: Rebalance the wheels.
What I fear most when driving on the highway is the steering wheel shaking like a vibrating phone. The most common cause is improper tire dynamic balance—uneven weight distribution among the four wheels makes the car start 'dancing' once the speed hits 110 km/h. Wheel rim deformation is even worse, usually caused by hitting potholes without slowing down or installing counterfeit rims. Last time my car shook so badly my hands went numb, and it turned out the CV joint was damaged—this part connects the wheel to the transmission, and severe wear transmits vibrations at high speeds. Warped brake rotors are also troublesome, causing the steering wheel to wobble left and right when lightly braking, as if you're turning the wheel. I suggest starting with tire dynamic balance; if the shaking persists, lift the chassis to inspect suspension ball joints and steering tie rods.
