The car experts at Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Walla Walla have seen it all. Customers often begin shopping for a new vehicle when something goes wrong with their current one. Whether the cost of repair is too much to be worthwhile, the problem is too difficult to diagnose, or when mechanics are unable to help, customers often start thinking about a new car. But not every problem requires such an extreme solution.
One common but alarming issue occurs when a vehicle’s steering wheel starts to shake. Here is a short list of issues that can frequently cause this problem.
Tires Out of Balance
If your tires are out of balance, you may find that your steering wheel begins to vibrate. This typically begins at high speeds of around 50-55 miles per hour, worsens as you approach 60 miles per hour, and actually starts to improve as you reach faster highway speeds. While you may be tempted to ignore the problem when it only occurs during a specific range of speed, this is not recommended. Driving when your tires are not properly balanced causes extra stress to your vehicle’s shocks, bearings, and wheel assembly; hence the shaking.
Luckily, this is one problem that is especially easy to fix. You should always purchase high quality tires, have your tires regularly rotated and balanced, and make sure that examining the tires is part of your annual preventative maintenance inspection.
Brakes and Rotors
If your steering wheel begins to vibrate only when you are applying the brakes, the problem may actually be associated with the brakes themselves. Since even a new set of brake discs or rotors does not always solve the problem, this can be difficult to diagnose. But sometimes all that’s required is having the rotors re-aligned via an on-car brake lathe. This can be a considerable expense, but when correctly identified, the fix itself is relatively straightforward. This is more likely to be the cause of steering wheel vibration in older vehicles with over 75,000 miles on them.
Alignment Issues
Another common problem that results in steering wheel vibration pertains to your vehicle’s alignment. A vehicle that is out of alignment can cause the tires to develop wear in an uneven fashion which can mimic the problems of unbalanced tires. Of course, the best way to address this is to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic at a dealership.
No one likes to hear that their car needs to be repaired, as repairs are all-too-often associated with costly bills and days spent without a needed vehicle. Nonetheless, it’s important to keep your vehicle in excellent condition so that it can safely transport you where you need to go. Steering wheel problems are often easily fixed and are certainly worth the hassle.
Look no further than Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Walla Walla to address all of these issues and more. Or, if you are ready to move on to a new vehicle, they will find the right match for you.
Posted in CDJR of Walla Walla Service