WHAT YOUR SHAKY STEERING WHEEL IS TELLING YOU

It’s a nerve-wracking feeling when you’re driving, and suddenly there’s a shake in your steering wheel. It’s even more terrifying when the shaking becomes worse when you brake. What does it mean? How severe is it? How soon should you get it checked out? Here you’ll see some of the reasons why your steering wheel is shaking and when you should head to your nearest south Auckland service station.

Common Causes Of Shaking

The most common cause for a shaky steering wheel is usually tyre and wheel related. More often than not, you’ll find that a solution for your shaky steering wheel is changing your tyres. While this seems simple enough, it’s important for you to know what exact problems with your tyres may cause the shakiness.

Sudden Braking

Braking from a high speed can cause friction on your brakes. The friction causes extreme heat which can result in your brake pads becoming warped, which in turn, results in your steering wheel shaking every time you apply brakes.

Uneven Wear

Uneven wear on your tyres cause by improper alignment and balancing can cause your wheels to develop cupping or flat spots. Cupping is when your tyre gets waves on its surface that are visible to the naked eye and can be determined by running your hand across its surface. The surface of the tyre will dip in one spot and rise in the next, usually running in line with the tread of the wheel.

You can also feel flat spots on your tyres by spinning the tyre while running your hand across the surface. When you do this, you will feel a patch of the tyre that dips, and when driving, this causes the shake on your steering wheel.

In some cases, a shaky steering wheel only happens at certain speeds or when braking. If you’re in doubt about the reason for the shake, speak to a mechanic at your car service station in South Auckland, such as our experts at Drury Tires, and we’ll advise you on how we can fix this problem. A brand-new set of wheels will probably make a world of difference.