Motachanic: Shaking Steering Wheel Issues

Question: When I get my car over 70 mph, the steering wheel starts to shake. What does this mean?

There are several problems that can account for this problem. Without actually riding in the car myself, I can't know for sure exactly what problem you are having, so I will try to cover as many as I can given the information that you have provided to me.

• Loose lug nuts: Check your lug nut torque. Typically it is around 80 ft-lbs for most passenger vehicles. If you don't have a torque wrench available, just make sure they are all tight.
• Low or flat front tire: Check the tire pressure in your tires. Inflate the tires to the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire where it says "Max psi (cold)"
• Dented wheel: Do you view curbs as suggestions? Do speed bumps make you speed? You may have a dented wheel. Check both sides of all the wheels for any flat areas along the area of rim where the tire meets the rim (bead). If your wheel is dented see your local wheel specialist to see if it can be repaired.
• Road flotsam on halfshaft (front wheel drove only): look in between the engine and the wheels. Notice the straight steel bar that connects the two? Those are your axle halfshafts. Ensure there are no rags, clothing etc caught on the axles. The rubber boots at either end of the axle are supposed to be there.
• Irregular wear on tire: If the tire is worn irregularly, or if there is a deformity of the tire such as a broken radial cord. Take a look at the front two tires on your car, check the side opposite the lug nuts too. If there are any deformities, replace both fr4ont tires and have your struts replaced and get an alignment performed.
• Improperly balanced tires: Have a reputable shop check and re balance your tires for you. Wheel weights do fall off sometimes so don't assume that the last mechanic who mounted your tires screwed up.
• Severely warped brake rotor one one side: If the problem gets worse when you apply the brakes, have your brake rotors turned and your pads replaced
• CV Joint damaged (front wheel drive only): Look in the front fender wells. If there is an excessive build up of black sticky goo everywhere then you probably tore a CV Boot a while ago and didn't know it. Take your car to your local mechanic and have him replace the CV Joint and boot.

If none of the above have resolved the problem then take the car to your local mechanic.

Grimy Handshake,
The Motachanic

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