Are you experiencing a rocking, rattling steering wheel? Is your car shaking and shuddering when accelerating? Don’t worry – it’s not just your vehicle that’s feeling the shakes. According to recent studies, steering wheel shaking when accelerating can be an annoying but common issue for many drivers out there.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what might be causing this problem and how you can go about fixing it. So stick around and get those hands steady on the wheel – because we’re about to solve the mystery of why your car is moving in two directions at once!
Your car’s steering wheel is significantly shaking or vibrating when you accelerate or decelerate. This could mean a bunch of things — excess play in your brakes, rotors that need to be turned, tires that need replaced, or a tire imbalance.
Use the following troubleshooting steps to determine which remedy is best for you and/or your vehicle.
Steering Wheel Shaking When Accelerating – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis
When driving on flat highways or even over uneven roads, many drivers have experienced their steering wheel shaking. While it is easy to dismiss as a minor annoyance, there could be an underlying issue that causes this unwanted movement of the wheel — and it needs to be addressed before your safety is at risk.
Check Out this article if your car shakes when accelerating.
Unfortunately, you may not end up dealing with the issue until a much later date, when it’s more likely to cause an accident.
There’s no question that being in control is important — especially when it comes to driving.
1. Sticky Brake Caliper
Sticky brake calipers don’t just make your car slow down, they can also cause dangerous failures like steering lockup and loss of control. Slow-moving sticky brakes are especially hazardous in wet weather, as they’re prone to skidding out of control on slippery surfaces.
Have you encountered a sticky brake caliper? Also known as a hanging brake caliper, this mechanical failure is caused by several issues – trapped brake pad shims, worn brake hoses, faulty bolts, and a lack of lubrication or dirtiness in the caliper piston. Don‘t panic – grab a mechanic and get your car fixed up and ready to go in no time.
Once the brake caliper’s contaminated, friction material can wear out quickly. The result is this: as you accelerate from 45 to 50 miles per hour, the steering wheel shakes, and you need to pull over immediately to assess the problem.
When your car’s brake calipers stop working properly, they can make the steering wheel vibrate. This shaking will vary in intensity depending on how badly the braking system is damaged. Additionally, this issue may cause other problems:
A malfunctioning ignition coil can create a rattling or popping noise when you turn the key in your car or truck’s ignition. You may also notice that it takes several tries to start your vehicle with a faulty ignition coil — and once it starts, the engine may run at high idle or die when you come to a stop.
When the brake caliper sticks, it prevents the wheel from spinning freely as it should, causing the steering wheel to shake while accelerating.
Check Out this article if your Engine shakes when accelerating
A sticky brake caliper can occur at any time and may be caused by a number of factors including worn or rusted parts and debris trapped in the caliper. It is important to identify and address the problem early on before it becomes dangerous or leads to further damage in your vehicle.
Fortunately, diagnosing and resolving this issue is relatively straightforward if you know what to look for.
To identify whether a stuck brake caliper is causing your steering wheel to shake when accelerating, check for signs like grinding noises or uneven tire wear when braking.
If you are having trouble with your car’s brakes, you may need to check and replace the sticky brake caliper. A sticky brake caliper can cause your brakes to not work properly and can even lead to a dangerous situation.
Things You’ll Need
• Jack and jack stands
• Wrench set
• Pliers
• Socket set
• Anti-seize compound
• Brake grease
• Brake caliper
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Raise your car up and support it with jack stands. Make sure the car is completely secure and stable before proceeding.
Step 2: Remove the wheel from the car. Make sure you have the proper size wrench to loosen the lug nuts that hold the wheel in place.
Step 3: Locate the brake caliper on the car. It is usually located at the top of the wheel well.
Step 4: Remove the brake caliper from the car. Use a wrench and pliers to remove the bolts that hold the caliper in place.
Step 5: Inspect the brake caliper for any signs of wear or damage. If the caliper looks worn or damaged, replace it with a new one.
Step 6: Apply anti-seize compound to the threads of the bolts that will be used to reattach the caliper. This will ensure the bolts are properly secured and will not corrode.
Step 7: Grease the new brake caliper with brake grease. This will help ensure the caliper is able to move freely and will not become sticky or cause any problems.
Step 8: Reattach the brake caliper to the car. Use a wrench and socket set to securely reattach the caliper.
Step 9: Replace the wheel and lower the car. Make sure all the lug nuts are properly tightened and the wheel is secured before driving.
Checking and replacing the sticky brake caliper on your car is an important task that should not be taken lightly. If you find that your car’s brakes are not working properly, it is important to check and replace the brake caliper as soon as possible.
2. Replace Tires
Steering wheel shaking when accelerating is a common problem that can indicate worn out or poor quality tires. It’s important to address this issue as soon as possible, as it could cause serious damage to your car if left unchecked.
You may experience the steering wheel shaking due to the tire not having enough grip on the road surface, meaning it slips instead of providing proper traction. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll want to take a look at your tires immediately – they may be worn out or of poor quality and need replacing.
There are several reasons why a tire might be causing steering wheel shake during acceleration. The tread depth might be too low for optimal grip on wet surfaces, which can result in slippage and increase vibration levels throughout the vehicle.
Taking care of your car’s tires is important for safe driving, fuel efficiency, and overall vehicle maintenance. Checking and replacing tires can seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and tools, it can be done in a few easy steps.
Things You’ll Need:
• Jack
• Jack stands
• Tire iron
• New tire
• Tire pressure gauge
• Wheel chocks
Step by Step Instructions:
1. Park your car on a flat and level surface, and apply the parking brake. Place wheel chocks in front of and behind one of your car’s diagonally opposite wheels to prevent it from rolling while you change the tire.
2. Locate the jack points on your car, which are reinforced spots underneath the frame specifically designed to support the weight of the vehicle. Place the jack underneath the designated jack point and raise the car until the tire is off the ground.
3. Use the tire iron to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel. Once the nuts are loose, use your hands to unscrew the nuts and remove the wheel from the car.
4. Carefully place the new tire onto the wheel hub and secure it with the lug nuts. Use the tire iron to tighten the nuts, making sure that they are secure.
5. Lower the car back down and remove the jack.
6. Check the tire pressure with a gauge and inflate the tire to the correct pressure as indicated in your car’s manual.
7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for the remaining three tires.
Checking and replacing tires is an important part of owning a car.
3. Faulty Suspension System
When your steering wheel shakes while accelerating, it could be a sign of a faulty suspension system. The suspension system is responsible for providing stability, support and cushioning to the car’s frame and body.
When this system isn’t working properly, your vehicle may shake when you accelerate or even at higher speeds.
The causes of this issue can range from broken shocks or struts, to worn out bushings or ball joints. In addition, the tires can play a role in shaking if they are out of balance or misaligned.
In some cases, the wheels themselves can become misaligned due to a faulty suspension system. This can lead to excessive vibration in the steering wheel during acceleration.
If a driver notices their steering wheel shaking while accelerating, they should take their car into a mechanic as soon as possible for an inspection. During the inspection, mechanics will check for any problems with the suspension system such as broken or worn parts and incorrect alignment of the wheels.
If necessary, they will repair or replace these components in order to fix the problem and restore proper handling characteristics of the vehicle.
4. Loose Steering Wheel
Driving a vehicle with a shaking steering wheel can be a scary experience. When the steering wheel vibrates or shakes when you press the accelerator, it’s important to identify and address the issue as quickly as possible. One common cause of this issue is a loose steering wheel. Fortunately, there are steps drivers can take to fix this problem before it becomes serious.
When your car begins to shake at idle or when accelerating, inspect your vehicle for signs of wear and tear on the suspension system and undercarriage. Additionally, check for any loose components in the engine bay such as belts, hoses, and wires that may be coming apart or disconnected.
If these parts appear okay then you should move onto checking your steering wheel itself by grabbing it firmly while turning left and right – if you feel any looseness this indicates it needs tightening up.
To fix it, simply inspect all of these bolts and secure them with a torque wrench as needed – usually anywhere from 25-50 ft/lb should do it!
If these don’t solve the shaking problem, then you may need to replace any worn-out parts like bushings or axles before realigning your suspension system for balance and stability.
With careful maintenance and attention to detail, however, most drivers can easily remedy this uncomfortable driving experience without needing professional help.
5. Worn Wheel Bearings
The wheel bearings are an integral part of a vehicle, providing support and allowing the wheels to turn with minimal friction. Without properly functioning wheel bearings, it is possible to experience significant vibration when accelerating.
If your car’s steering wheel shakes when accelerating, it may be due to worn wheel bearings.
Wheel bearings typically should last between 85,000 and 100,000 miles; however, this can vary depending on driving habits and terrain.
If you have exceeded this mileage without replacing them, then you may need to do so now in order to ensure that your car remains safe for driving.
When replacing the wheel bearing assembly you will want to inspect other related components such as the brakes for signs of wear or damage as well.
This will help prolong the life of all related components and reduce any potential further issues from arising in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, steering wheel shaking when accelerating is a common problem and can be caused by several different factors.
It’s important to determine the cause before attempting any repairs as this could save you time, money, and possibly even danger if driving with an unstable car.
A car that shakes when accelerating can be annoying at best or dangerous at worst – so it’s always best to have it looked into right away!
Make sure that you get a professional to look at your car so they can diagnose and repair the issue before it gets worse. Your vehicle is an important asset – taking care of any mechanical issues promptly will help ensure its safety and longevity in the long run.
Tim Hayden is a seasoned car mechanic and expert with a wealth of experience in the automotive industry.
With a deep passion for cars and a knack for solving complex mechanical issues, Tim is dedicated to providing valuable insights and practical tips to car owners.
Trust his expertise to keep your vehicle running smoothly.