Many components used in road vehicles require replacement and it is not uncommon for a certain part to break down or fail after heavy use.

The steering wheel is your connection to the car and indirectly to the road, so it goes without saying that the first sign of something broken or out of balance comes through the steering wheel.

Common Reason of Steering Vibrations

Below are the main causes of steering wheel wobble at low or high speeds:

#1 – Tires

This one makes more sense. The handlebars are used to steer the wheels, so it is normal for tire problems to develop through the wheel. The most obvious culprits are unbalanced tires.

With this problem you won’t get jerks at lower speeds, but it will become more noticeable the faster you go. Check the tires for punctures (especially vehicles that have not been driven recently), as this problem usually leads to uneven tire wear.

Make sure all four tires are properly inflated. A flat tire can also cause the vibrations in steering wheel. Finally, check tire wear.

If you notice that one side is more worn, rotate the tires to even out tire wear. If your tire profile is bad enough or tire rotation isn’t an option, you need new tires.

#2 – Wheel Areas

If it’s not the tires, the wheels should be the next part. After all, they are the center of all ties. Start by checking the wheel bearings.

While in theory they should last a lifetime, that’s just in theory. In real life, they can wear out or even get damaged at some point. Replacing them should resolve the wobble or wobble of the handlebars.

Tie rod end or ball joint problems are easy to diagnose. If the steering wheel only vibrates when cornering and never when driving straight, the tie rod is probably broken.

Ball joints produce opposite results when they go wrong. They will jerk only when driving straight, never when cornering.

#3 – Shaft

If your car has recently been in an accident and you are just starting to notice steering wheel vibrations, look for axle problems as chances are one is bent or damaged. Shocks will increase as speed increases, but will be present even at lower speeds.

A broken drive shaft can cause random jerking of the steering wheel. The steering wheel moves automatically to the left or right. This is an immediate red flag. Take the car to a mechanic (don’t drive) and have it repaired right away.

#4 – Engine

While this may not make sense at first, it gives a great idea to think about it. Engine problems manifested by jerks can be felt throughout the car, but it’s usually the steering wheel that warns you before that happens.

Air induction, fuel delivery or spark related issues can prevent the car from running smoothly, resulting in a signature vibration in the engine compartment. This symptom is not very common, but it can happen, so be careful.

A broken engine mount can also cause Steering Vibrations in the handlebars, especially when accelerating.

#5 – Brakes

When it comes to safety, the brakes are the top priority. A burnt-out engine may not allow you to drive the car, but faulty brakes will not be able to stop the car, which is much more dangerous.

Normally, if there is a problem with the brakes, you will only feel the Steering Vibrations when braking (see below). However, a stuck brake caliper will cause noticeable shakes to the handlebars at high speeds.

Send smoothies when braking

Below are some of the causes of a jerky steering wheel due to your braking system. This problem occurs when you apply the brakes.

#1 – Brake Discs

Violent jerking of the flywheel during braking indicates that the rotors are likely warped or worn. If the rotor repair fails or if there is not enough material left, it must be replaced with a new brake rotor.

If you press the brake pedal and notice that the steering wheel starts to vibrate, this could be a sign that the brake discs are failing.

There are, of course, many reasons why a steering wheel can vibrate (see above), especially if it only happens when driving at a certain speed. But if it only happens while you’re pressing the brake pedal, it’s more than likely due to a problem with your brake discs.

Every time you press the brake pedal with your foot, the vehicle slows down because the brake pads squeeze and put pressure on the rotors as they turn. But if the brake discs are worn or not installed correctly, the calipers will vibrate.

Once that happens, the vibration travels through the components connected to the calipers and then to the flywheel. The end result is a steering wheel that vibrates every time you press the brake pedal.

Those who ride with both feet are more likely to have rotor problems due to the possibility of “riding on the brakes”, causing premature rotor wear.

#2 – Brake pads

As we know, the front brake system is connected to the link arm, the link arm is connected to the end of the steering box, which is connected to the steering column, and finally to the steering wheel.

So if the rotor is still in good condition, the possible cause of the steering wheel jerking during braking often comes from the brake pads themselves. They may have uneven wear on the brake pads or be misaligned in the caliper in some way.

#3 – Calipers

A faulty or stuck caliper can also be responsible for some vibration, but is usually only present on older cars. In this scenario, the steering wheel does not vibrate until about 80 km/h, followed by a burning smell.

It is best to stop the car and not drive it until you have solved the problem.