Why Is My Steering Wheel Shaking?

If your steering wheel is suddenly shaking, then your Jeep alignment is off in some fashion, and it likely involves your wheels. How so? It could mean unaligned or unbalanced wheels. It could also mean your tires have been damaged, i.e., a crack in the tire or, much harder to spot, a belt break within the tire itself. It’s imperative to immediately schedule an appointment with your mechanic if this steering wheel issue arises. While it is possible you will be able to diagnose the problem yourself, only an experienced mechanic can make sure to resolve the immediate problem and rectify any issues that will lead to the shaking steering wheel issue recurring.

What Do I Immediately Do When My Steering Wheel Starts to Shake?

The first thing to do is not to panic. When someone faces a crisis, or just a surprise, on the road, it’s critical not to act rashly, no matter how much you want to. Slamming on the brakes can cause a collision or your Jeep to spiral depending on what speed you’re going and the conditions around you. Humans are used to reacting drastically. It’s where the phrase “flight or fight” comes from, but a drastic move is not the right one when technology is involved.
Instead, it’s important to evaluate the situation. If your steering wheel shakes only a little, then you will want to schedule an appointment with your mechanic as soon as possible, but it likely does not mean you need to come to an immediate stop in the middle of the road. The odds are that action will cause a collision more than the shaking wheel.

If your wheel begins shaking aggressively, then it is probably time to cease your trip ASAP. Take your foot off the pedal so your vehicle slows and either turn off the road to park or exit the highway. A gradual slowdown is far better than hitting the brakes. The latter is a much more dangerous choice and more likely to result in damage to your vehicle and injury to yourself than the shaking steering wheel.

Part of your reaction should also depend on how confident you are as a driver. Your comfort level is key as a driver who has lost faith in their command of the vehicle can be one of the most dangerous drivers on the road. No matter what, though, you want to get your Jeep inspected right away. Your next drive should be to our service center. If you are not comfortable driving it, let us know, and our team should be able to assist you in getting your Jeep towed.

Breaking Down the Main Causes

The most likely cause of steering wheel shaking has to do with your wheel balance or alignment. Wheel maintenance is underrated by drivers. You hear plenty about oil changes and engine inspections, but caring for your wheels is an integral part of being a responsible and safe driver. If you’re not having your wheels balanced and their alignment examined, then you are risking trouble on the road. Wheels can become worn out if they are not switched. It’s similar to working the same muscle many days in a row: eventually, you’re hurting yourself due to the repetition of movement.

Wheel alignment can take a blow when you ride over rough terrain. If you’re someone who just uses your Jeep around town, then you may be thinking to yourself that this isn’t a problem that concerns you, but that’s not the case at all. Rough terrain can be your local streets. We’ve all encountered potholes that feel like craters. We’ve all seen paving jobs that leave a little to be desired (putting it lightly). Driving across roads with these features can absolutely do damage to your wheel alignment. You don’t have to go outbacking or drive up a mountain in order to encounter wheel alignment trouble. A rough Colorado winter alone can wreck your wheel alignment. However, if you are an avid off-roader, you are going to need to have your alignment checked more frequently.

Other Possibilities

Wheel balance and wheel alignment are the top two causes of your steering wheel shaking, but there are other factors to consider if balance and alignment on your Jeep are fine. Interior tire damage, which is not always obvious to the naked eye, can disrupt your driving, too. Tire damage of any kind can potentially lead to a blowout, which is something you want to avoid, so if you are still having issues, get an inspection right away. Even if you think you’ve spotted the damage, it’s always possible there is more going on than you know. Perhaps you can fix damage to your tire (a loose wheel nut, for example), but it may be that something else is also going on.

Low tire pressure can also cause steering issues. While most vehicles now warn the driver of this issue, you should never rely totally on technology to have your back. The tire pressure could be low enough to disrupt steering but not low enough to produce a warning depending on what other factors are going on with your wheels. Plus, there’s always the possibility of a malfunctioning pressure reader: thinking pressure is fine just because the computer isn’t saying otherwise can be a costly mistake. If you sense something odd, trust your instincts, not the computer’s, and check your tire pressure at your local gas station or stop by and have us take a look at it for you. The opposite can also be an issue. Your tire pressure may be too high. Too high tire pressure means your wheels won’t hit the ground as much, resulting in the area that does meet pavement wearing out faster

Other areas to check would be your suspension and your brakes. If some of your suspension parts have become worn down, it may cause shaking while you travel, not to mention your ride will probably become more uncomfortable overall. If your steering wheel is mostly shaking when you are coming to a stop, you likely need to check your brake pads or rotors. A warped rotor can cause shaking, and worn-down brake pads will skip along the wheels, causing vibrations. This can be dangerous and is a sign that your brakes are not working properly or giving you full stopping power. Definitely get this taken care of right away.

If you are confident your alignment and balance are in good shape, then one of these reasons is likely the cause. Again, though, a visit to our service center should go straight to the top of your list. While you may not want to pay for a visit, it’s far better to put out a little money now instead of having to pay a whole lot more later on due to an accident. Drivers often underestimate how paying extra to get their vehicle inspected now can lead to larger savings in the long run. Plus, it’s possible that your repair may be covered by a warranty. You might end up not having to pay anything. Make sure to review any warranty papers you were given after your purchase. No need to spend if you don’t have to!

Don’t Wait to Get Any Vehicle Issues Fixed

If wheel shaking is occurring, then it doesn’t matter how often it happens; you need to resolve your problem now. However, if you’re thinking ahead, you might be wondering how far up on your list this should be a concern. Like many car issues, the likelihood of this happening rises the less you take care of your vehicle. Think of your own health: a relatively uncommon ailment can become more likely if you’re not taking care of yourself. Your car is no different. It needs to be tended to and examined to prevent wheel shaking, or a host of other issues, from plaguing you while you’re on the road.

At Faricy Chrysler Jeep, we have a top-level service department filled with expert technicians who can tend to all your Jeep’s needs. Our excellent work has garnered us not just rave reviews but also lifelong customers who have become part of Faricy Chrysler Jeep family. We can help you if you are dealing with wheel shaking or any other issue, and if there is no issue, we can help you prevent one from arising with routine tire rotations and wheel checks. Feel free to schedule an appointment right on our website so we can make sure your Jeep is ready to rock!