It can be annoying when you start to notice your steering wheel vibrating. This can especially be frustrating when you’ve planned to go on an out-of-town trip with your friends or loved ones. You might think that this issue is not serious. However, when your steering wheel becomes wobbly, it usually means that there are bigger problems in your car.

So, if you’re wondering why your steering wheel is vibrating, make sure you read through this article. Whether you own a Toyota HiAce van, a sedan, or an SUV, these factors will mostly be applicable to your vehicle. On the other hand, if you’re uncertain, it would be best to bring your vehicle to a mechanic.

1) Wheels that are Unbalanced

Even if the wheels are just minimally unbalanced, they will cause your steering wheel to excessively vibrate, and even on your entire vehicle. If you have a new car with a lightweight suspension system, your vehicle might be susceptible to this problem. If you have a vehicle like a Toyota HiAce van with tires designed with a low profile, you are most likely to encounter this issue. Keep in mind that when you ignore this issue, it can lead to bigger problems with the shocks, struts, tread, and other suspension and steering parts. Make sure you bring your car in a mechanic to have your wheels balanced.

2) Bearings That are Not in Good Condition

The hub bearings are essential in letting your wheels rotate correctly. Moreover, they are important in supporting the car’s weight. When they are not lubricated properly, they eventually become damaged or broken. Weak bearings cause the steering wheel to shake when you turn the car to any direction. Typically, bad bearings trigger a noise coming from your wheels. You can remove them to check for damage. In most cases, you only must clean and properly lubricate them to fix the issue. On the other hand, when they are badly worn or broken, you’d have to replace them.

3) Your Wheels are Misaligned

One of the most common reasons why your steering wheel is shaking is because of misaligned wheels. Over time, when you drive on roads with bad conditions, your wheels get misaligned. You can easily determine if this is the cause of your shaky steering wheel. Simply check the tread on the tires and look for uneven wear. If the inside has completely worn down while the outside has almost full tread, then it is likely that your wheels are misaligned. Also, if you notice that your car guides itself to the sides even when your steering wheel is centered and straight, it means that you have misaligned wheels. Make sure you consult a professional mechanic to get this fixed right away.

If you want to learn more about how to spot this issue, make sure you check our article about identifying a bad wheel alignment.

4) Problems with your Brakes

When your steering wheel vibrates whenever you slow down, then it is possible that the problem lies with your brakes. Shaky steering wheels are caused by loose connections, bad brake discs, worn brake pads, or worn shocks. In most cases, you will notice vibration on your steering wheel when you turn, accelerate, or maintain a particular speed. Brake issues are easier to identify because even before you start to notice your steering wheel shaking, you will feel that there’s something wrong when you apply pressure to your brakes.

Keep in mind that your brakes are one of the most important safety features of your car. So, if you’ve got brake problems, it is best to have your car checked by a mechanic right away.