January 20, 2023
Know Why Your Steering Wheel Is Acting Up!
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Driving with a steering wheel that shivers and shakes is never a pleasant experience. Besides making your ride unnecessarily stressful and unsettling, a quivering steering wheel is a sure sign that there’s something’s not right with your vehicle. Since ignoring the issue will only make things worse, it’s best to get to the root of the problem before your next commute.
Get These Clues on Why Your Steering Wheel Is Shaking
You can’t stay safe on the road without steady and reactive steering. Depending on how your vehicle is shuddering, knowing its possible causes may provide clues that can help your mechanic solve the issue. To help you out, Veteran Car Donations has pulled together the following possible reasons why you’re steering wheel is shaking:
- Tires out of balance
Ideally, weight should be evenly distributed among all four tires. Since unbalanced tires aren’t sharing the weight equally, they send shakes through the vehicle and its steering wheel. This usually occurs for cars with lightweight suspension systems. Although you won’t likely notice the shaking at lower speeds, you’ll start to feel it when you’re going 50 miles per hour or faster.
The vibrations will eventually damage your shocks, struts, and other steering components if you fail to resolve this problem promptly. For this reason, you’ll want to check whether all your tires are inflated to an appropriate level. Having one or more underinflated tires will create a lack of balance that can significantly affect your ability to steer your vehicle.
If your tires are properly inflated, you should check for uneven tire wear patterns. Rotating or replacing unevenly worn tires is worth it to have your vehicle drive smoothly and safely. If the issue persists even if your tires look fine, the problem may lie in between the tires and the steering wheel. For instance, you may feel sudden jerks in your steering wheel if a bent or damaged axle is affecting how both systems communicate with each other through the drivetrain.
A shaky steering wheel can also result from damaged ball joints, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings. It’s best to take note of when you experience the most shaking while driving. This information can help your mechanic diagnose and resolve the issue.
- Suspension issues
An imbalanced driveshaft or loose or worn components in your suspension system can also cause shaking while driving. If you’ve been driving the same vehicle for a long while now, shaking may result from a worn ball joint or tie rod. Severe vibrations typically occur once you get your vehicle above 45 miles per hour.
You can avoid suspension issues by ensuring regular maintenance of your car. However, if you’re already dealing with a faulty suspension and steering system, you’ll need to take your car to a trusted mechanic before the problem worsens.
- Brake problems
A defective brake system will compromise your safety while driving. A steering wheel that shakes while you’re braking may indicate brake rotors that have started to wear out and lose their shape. If you’re experiencing this issue, you should have your mechanic inspect your brakes immediately and have the rotors resurfaced or replaced if warranted.
The shaking in the steering wheel can also be caused by rotors that weren’t correctly installed, preventing the brake pads from clamping together efficiently. A certified professional could simply adjust your brake rotors to fix this.
Can’t Afford to Have Your Car Fixed Anymore? Here’s What You Can Do
If the issues bugging your car are more serious than a shaking steering wheel and having them fixed will cost you a lot of money you can’t afford, perhaps it’s time to let go of that vehicle. You can still do something good with it though when you donate it to us at Veteran Car Donations. We’ll use your donation to support those veterans in your local community who are living miserable lives.
Our team will have your vehicle fixed the best way we can before putting it up for auction. We’ll then use the proceeds to support the life-enhancement programs for veterans of our charity partners. These IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations cater to veterans who are suffering from poverty, homelessness, unemployment, disabilities, and serious illnesses, including mental health issues.
Our nonprofit partners use the funding we give them to provide their beneficiaries with housing and financial assistance, employment and livelihood opportunities, family support, free quality health care and medical treatment, psychotherapy services, and many other benefits meant to improve their living conditions.
Your participation in our vehicle donation program will also benefit you immensely. It will enable you to enjoy a fast and free towing service anywhere in the United States. Your donation will also entitle you to claim the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season.
However, these material rewards may pale in comparison to the deep sense of personal satisfaction you’ll experience, knowing that you’ll be giving back to our nation’s heroes — those brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our nation’s freedoms and ensure our security.
We accept nearly all types of vehicles whatever their ages or conditions.
For more information about our vehicle donation program, you may browse through our FAQs page. Send us a message here if you have any concerns or inquiries, or give us a call anytime through our toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822.
Make a Difference Today!
Photo by Dave Thomas under Pexels License
Are you ready to get rid of an unwanted vehicle while making a difference in the lives of the suffering veterans in your community? Do it this very moment by calling Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or filling out our secure online donation form!
Last Updated: August 23rd, 2023