Steering Wheel Shake

[driv3r]

Recently, I noticed my steering wheel shaking a lot more then it should. Lots of left/right jiggle while rolling, more noticeable at lower speeds. That tells me that it's something tire/wheel based.

I am still learning about vehicles but I know enough to know something is wrong. I may need to replace the tires as I know they're getting worn.

Any tips to check certain things? I'd like to fix the problem myself if possible, a) because it's cheaper b) to gain the experience. If it's not something I can do myself, I'll take it in.

Thanks for the help

[Thrizzl3]

hit any potholes lately? may have caused one of the weights to pop off or hopefully you didn't bend a rim.

[Soyabean]

You may simply need to balance your tires

[Kappa]

winter or summer tires? if they are winters or all seasons if you get cheap ones some times the tire is not very good and no matter how much you balance the wheel it will still be off.. i ran into this problem this winter

[driv3r]

Come to think of it, I did hit a pretty big pothole recently, but it was after I noticed it wobbling. I asked a friend to watch my car as I drove and look for a wobble and he didn't notice anything.
The tires are just shitty all seasons that came with it. I didn't plan on buying winter's unless it got snowy this winter and it didn't so I've been saving for summer for a decent rim/tire combo.

Is balancing the tires something I could do or should I just take it in and see if that's the problem?

[Kappa]

to balance your tires you need a machine... they take the wheel off and add weights to counter the off weight of the tire / rim.. if you have crapy tires some times you just cant balance them well.. i thought the same thing with my car and found out it was just bad tires after getting them balanced a few times.. now you could have lost a weight off your rim so you never know it will do that though..

[Rob23]

my steering wheel vibrates alot with heavy breaking, i need new front break pads and rotors.

[m3zoomzoom]

if its when you're braking its probably a warped rotor.. if its when you're driving its either you bent the rim/weight fell off - or simply unbalanced for whatever reason... and if its pulling to one side its probably your alignment.. unless its just the rotor, you're gonna have to take it in to a mechanic cuz you need special equipment to do balancing and/or alignment

[stock3]

Also, I found that when the tires are worn and have not been rotated regularly, they may develop bumps, this may cause steering wheel vibration as well. A simple tire rotation should solve the problem.

[driv3r]

thanks for all the help guys. Looks like I'm taking it in. I hear Street Performance is a solid bet...

[Kappa]

stay away from the dealer for this one... you will end up with a big ass bill haha

so i dont know street Performance but it sounds like a good place to start!

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

To the OP, it sounds like you have a bent rim or even a bent tie rod (hope not). Tire's being out of balance typically manifest more at higher speeds and not lower ones. Bent rims, or bent tie rods you will most certainly feel at lower speeds.

Yes, go see Jimmy at Street Performance and tell him you a member here. He will take great care of you and your car.

Rob,

Your rotors are warped bud. Pads are probably okay, but check em both. If you still have a lot of rotor left, sometimes you just need to get them machined and they'll be okay for a couple of years. Depends on how bad they are.

[Rob23]

they are bad, cant be machined. im just waiting for winter to end and im getting new rotors and pads, just the front the rear was done before the winter. but they didn't say they were warped but just really worn out and rusty.

[Tokic_o]

lol might just be loose lug nuts.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

lol might just be loose lug nuts.

LOL. Yes, could certainly be that too...

[Rob23]

haha

[driv3r]

I'll definitely check loose lugs again, but I checked when I first noticed and everything seemed fine. I'll check again. Thanks, I'll go see jimmy soon.