Steering Wheel Shimmy/Vibration - HELP!?

Question

Hello!

My steering wheel vibrates violently while driving. It seems to be more intense when I'm driving around 30-40 mph. While driving straight, it shakes very bad. While driving at a slight angle, it seems far less noticable. Can anyone help me figure out what the problem might be? And, how can I diagnose it myself? I was going to try to replace a Tie Rod end (I'm a car noob, so this should be interesting) but I really wanna make sure that's the problem first.

Thanks in advance!

Car Noob

Answer 1

Knowing make, model and year of vehicle along with mileage would help but I think we can still lick this one.

First off, its not tire pressure - unless the tire is flat. In that case, the tires already destroyed and you'd know about it.

I also don't think it is a tread separation since that will cause a vibration at any speed above parked, not just primarily in the 30-40mph range. And the symptom won't go away while turning.

Loose tie rods and/or ball joints will also not be likely causes of such a vibration - they'll just drive OK until they fail altogether and believe me, you'll know when that happens. Loose front end parts don't vibrate. Vibration is a rotational issue and those parts don't rotate.

So let me ask a question, actually, 2 questions. Is your foot on the gas when you get this vibration between 30-40mph? Does the vibration go away if you take your foot off the gas at those speeds?

If the answer to both questions is yes you have bad motor mounts. How do I know this? Had a vehicle in my shop yesterday with identical symptoms and the motor mounts in that one were toast. With worn out engine mounts when you apply the gas the engine will twist on the mounts excessively, then rebound, then twist again, etc, etc. Basically the engine is rocking back and forth under the hood. When you let off the gas it stops rocking.

To test this yourself get a buddy to sit in the vehicle with the engine running, transmission in gear and foot FIRMLY on the brake and the hood open. Have your buddy rev the engine up and down while you watch. If the engine rocks back and forth more than an inch or two, its the motor mounts.

ASE Certified Automotive Service Advisor

Answer 2

It mite be the tie rod: but it could be a trier out of balance, a bad trier, wheel alignment is out; if front wheel drive a bad CV Unit, the SHOCKS, a brake pad dragging, some thing stuck in the tread, bent wheel. First check to see if any wheel weights are missing, any play in the tie rods at the grease cup, bounce on the front over each wheel and see if the front comes back up and stops or keeps bouncing, look at the tiers and check for bumps or bad tread. Check your brake pads too! It could be simple as a stone in the tread, or a missing wheel weight to a front end over haul.

Answer 3

Check your tires first, they could have a knot on them or you may need an alignment. I have always heard a popping sound when I turned if a tie rod was bad, or while you are driving straight and let go of the steering wheel for a second, the car will turn by itself.

Answer 4

Alignment quite would not come to a decision the area. I genuinely have an same situation with my ninety 4' Camry. I replace my tires each 8 months and it solves the area for further or less 5 months. After some not uncomplicated-center research, my mechanic determined the automobile were in a the front fender-bender and the body grow to be somewhat damaged/bent. for this reason, my in basic terms answer is to save spending $one hundred fifty for brand new the front tires each 8 months, or purchase a sparkling automobile.

Answer 5

This really sounds like a tire has separated. That is, the steel belts within the construction of the tire have started to come apart. It isn't a safety concern, but I wouldn't leave it like that for too long, or you run the risk of a blowout. Take it to your local tire shop for inspection and replacement.

Answer 6

First of all, check your tire pressure. Often times this problem is as simple as the wrong pressure in one or both of your front tires. Also, make sure your tires are aligned (does your car drift left or right?). Also, make sure you rotate your tires every so often as part of good maintenance. And make sure your tires are not worn too far down.
If it's none of those things, have it checked out by a professional.

Answer 7

Actually..I had the same problem..I was scared to get on the freeway..but when I got new tires it smoothed out SOOOO much..it felt like a new car...check your tires...are they worn on one side more then the other? Is the rubber all gone and are the spikey metal insides showing?

Answer 8

Your wheels have become unbalanced (thrown one of those little lead weights).

Take the car to a tire shop, or general car repair shop. Wheel balancing is very cheap.

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Answer 9

It's possible your tires are out of balance or a belt has shifted in one of your front tires but I suspect you have some loose or bad parts in your front suspension, you need to take it to a shop and have the suspension checked out and have it aligned while your at it.

Answer 10

GO TO A SHOP AND GET A SAFETY CHECK IT IS FREE. THEY WILL TELL YOU WHATS WRONG WITH IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU MIGHT BE ON THE RITE TRACK WITH THE TIE ROD BUT I WOULD GET IT CHECKED OUT FOR FREE WHERE THEY DO FRONT END ALINEMENT'S THEY WILL TELL YOU FOR FREE AND YOU MIGHT JUST HAVE THEM DO IT AND YOU WILL NEED AN ALINEMENT TOO!