Having a shaking steering wheel is one of the biggest problem any driver can experience as it can make driving less enjoying.
Apart from making the driving less enjoying, what other things can a shaking steering wheel do to a driver and is it safe to drive with a shaking steering wheel?
No, it is not safe to drive with a shaking steering wheel. The fact that the steering wheel is shaking means that something is wrong and needs to be fixed immediately. Ignoring the signs can lead to loss of life and more damage to the car.
Is It Safe To Drive With A Shaking Steering Wheel?
The answer is no. It is never safe to drive with a shaking steering wheel because it may cause an accident especially if you are on high speed and can cause damage to other parts of the car.
However, you are expected to have the issue fixed as soon as you noticed it. Driving with a shaking steering will cause more harm than good to your vehicle and other road users.
A shaking steering wheel is sponsored by various reasons. However, if the reason for yours is a bald tire, so bald that you didn’t pay so much attention to the shaky wheel and the dancing car until the bald tire busted while you drive, it is extremely dangerous to imagine.
The safety of a car with a shaking wheel depends on what the cause is and how fast you pay attention to it.
Whatever the reason is likely to be, it is not safe to drive with a shaking steering wheel. Call the attention of a technician to correct the error while you can.
Causes of Shaking Steering Wheel
Causes of shaking steering wheel are:
1. Damaged Wheels or Ball Joints
A wheel is the centerpiece of all tires; it is an iron-looking rounded metal with various nuts. A wheel has been recorded to be the longest-lasting component of a car.
It is highly nonperishable, but this doesn’t sum up the fact that it can’t wear out or get damaged. If the shaky wheel originated its problem from a wheel, replace it.
If your car isn’t shaky when driving on a straight road but shakes whenever you want to turn left or right, it is likely the ball joints are producing opposite results.
When a ball joint produces opposite results, they cause the car to shake when cornering.
2. Tire Problem
Nothing makes more sense than talking about the tire because before the wheels can give issue, a tire is likely to give more because of its exposure or less maintenance.
To avoid having your tire ruin your day, ensure you have it inflated. A tire with little air pressure can cause the steering to shake.
However, it can sometimes not result from a deflating tire; it can be uneven, worn out, or dry rot in tires. If you notice your tires are being biased and not unevenly worn out, rotate them until you have them all set equally.
A faster way to solve a tire problem is to replace it with a new one. If the tire seems too complicated to be rotated to give an even look or the tire keeps deflating even after adding more air pressure, find a new tire and fix it.
Trust me, most people ignore their tires without knowing that most car shaking can be caused by the tire. The same goes for speeding. Any time your car shakes when you hit 70 mph, there is a probability that your car is having an unbalanced tire problem.
3. Bad Axle
If the tire isn’t the problem and the wheels are intact, the axle is also a factor to consider when checking for reasons your steering wheel is shaking.
Axel’s problems can be because of a previous accident that might have caused one of them to bend. It is quite noticeable when the car is at a high speed, the vibration increases and the sound is more prominent.
You can experience random disturbance because of the broken axle or the driveshaft.
In cases like this, it is wrong to manage the risk. A quick parking and a direct call to a professional who can have the problem fixed is the most profitable step you can take in situations like this.
4. Engines Can Also be the Pain
After checking all the above listed three problems which can cause your steering wheel to be shaky, the next move should be a survey on the engine parts, the fueling, the air induction, and the oil gauge.
A problem with the engine can give a more prominent sign; aside from the wheels shaking, the car can give other signs relating to which of the engine parts is affected.
This isn’t as common as every other factor but a closer look at things should not be neglected. Check in case, if it is an engine problem; reach out to your mechanic or car repairer to find a solution to the problem.
5. Problems with the Brakes
Never forget to check the brakes. A slight brake problems can cause big trouble. You can admit an engine problem is a big problem, but experiencing a failed brake on a highway isn’t such a good way to end the day.
Brakes can also cause a car wheel to vibrate; it is safer if you have the problem settled immediately after you notice it.
The solution to a Shaking Steering Wheel
There is only a little you can do when your car breaks down. A shaking steering wheel can result from many factors. It might be the brake or the engine or the axle.
Any of these can be the problem, but how much can you do to a brake if it is the the problem? Is there much you can do to the axle if the problem is from the axle?
You can change the tire if the problem is from the tire. You can rotate to correct the mistake, but aside from those few things, there is only a little thing you can do.
Please call a certified mechanic to look and fix whatever the problem is. Don’t just assume. The mechanic will tell you if it is a rewire work or a mechanic job.
Final Thought
Asking ‘is it safe to drive with a shaking steering wheel’ is not even what one should ask. The fact that the steering is shaking means that there is something bad that needs to be fixed.
However, knowing how fragile automobiles can be, it is better to fix whatever the problem is to avoid causing more problems for you and your car.
Remember that, the more problem you have with your car, the more money you spend fixing them.
Driving your cars with wheels shaking isn’t much of a good idea. Having it checked immediately is a way to minimize cost and minimize fear of having to cause other troubles to the car and yourself that is driving the car.
