How do I stop my steering wheel from shaking?

Most steering wheel shake comes from wheel/tire balance, misalignment, or braking and suspension wear. The quickest fixes start with proper tire inflation, balancing the wheels, and checking alignment; more complex issues may involve brakes, worn suspension parts, or damaged rims.

Vibrations can show up in different ways: at highway speeds, when you brake, or during acceleration and turning. This guide outlines practical at‑home checks, professional diagnostics, and preventive maintenance to help you restore a smooth ride and avoid unsafe driving conditions.

Common causes and quick checks

What you can do now

These basic checks address the most frequent, non-structural causes of steering shake.

• Check tire pressure on all wheels and adjust to the vehicle's recommended level (found on the door jamb sticker or owner's manual).



• Inspect wheel lug nuts for tightness and ensure they’re torqued to the manufacturer’s specification with a torque wrench.


• Look for bent or cracked rims; a damaged wheel can cause vibration even when tires are balanced.


• Note whether the vibration changes with speed or road conditions to help narrow down the cause.

If these checks don’t resolve the shake, a deeper inspection of brakes, alignment, and suspension may be required.

Braking- and speed-related vibrations

Symptoms and likely causes

Vibration that appears or worsens when you apply the brakes or at specific speeds often points to brake components or related wear. Addressing these issues promptly helps prevent further damage and unsafe driving.

• Warped or uneven rotors/discs can cause pulsing sensations in the steering wheel when braking; resurfacing or replacement may be needed.


• Sticking or dragging brake calipers or hardware can create uneven braking and vibration.


• Worn wheel bearings or worn suspension parts (tie rods, ball joints, control arms) can contribute to vibration that varies with speed or steering input.


• Loose or damaged lug nuts and improper wheel mounting can also mimic brake-related shake.

Note: If braking-related vibration is suspected, limit hard braking and seek a professional inspection promptly to avoid safety risks.

Professional diagnosis and fixes

What a shop will typically do

When simple home checks don’t fix the issue, a qualified technician will diagnose and treat the root cause with a structured approach.

• Road test to reproduce the vibration and identify when it occurs (speed range, braking, cornering).


• Wheel balance using a balancer machine to check for heavy spots in wheels or tires.


• Inspect tires for uniform wear and wheel runout; measure with tools to detect a bent rim or out‑of‑true wheel.


• Alignment check and adjustment (toe, camber, and caster as needed) to prevent irregular tire wear and shaking.


• Inspect suspension and steering components (tie rods, ball joints, control arms, steering rack, wheel bearings) and replace worn parts.


• Inspect brake rotors/discs and pads; resurfacing or replacement if warped or excessively worn.

Conclusion: After addressing the identified issues, the steering wheel shake should be resolved. If the problem persists, there may be a less common or drivetrain-related cause that requires specialized diagnosis.

Preventive maintenance to minimize future shakes

Keep vibrations at bay

Regular maintenance helps prevent shake issues by keeping tires, wheels, and suspension in good condition.

• Maintain recommended tire pressure and check it monthly; monitor tread depth and wear patterns.


• Rotate tires at the intervals recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer to promote even wear.


• Have wheels balanced when you notice vibration or after hitting potholes or curbs; get an alignment if the vehicle pulls to one side.


• Inspect suspension components during routine service and replace worn parts before they cause steering issues.

Summary: Proactive maintenance reduces the likelihood of steering shake and helps keep your vehicle handling safely and smoothly.

Summary

Steering wheel shake is typically caused by tire and wheel issues, braking components, or worn suspension parts. Start with basic checks—tire pressure, tire/wheel condition, lug nut torque, and wheel balance—and proceed to alignment and brake/suspension inspections if the shake persists. If you’re unsure or the problem returns after simple fixes, consult a qualified technician for a thorough diagnosis and safe repair.

How to fix a shaky steering wheel?

To stop a shaking steering wheel, first have your tires balanced and your wheels aligned. If the problem persists, check and maintain your brakes (including checking for warped rotors) and inspect suspension components like tie rods, ball joints, and wheel bearings. Regularly checking your power steering fluid is also a good maintenance practice. 
This video explains the causes and fixes for a shaky steering wheel: 58sCar Exam GuruYouTube · Apr 14, 2025
Solutions for a shaking steering wheel

• Tire balancing: Uneven weight distribution in your tires is a common cause, especially at higher speeds. Balancing them is a straightforward fix, according to AutoZone.com and Reddit users. 
• Wheel alignment: Improper alignment can cause uneven tire wear and vibration. Getting your wheels professionally aligned can resolve this and help prevent future issues, notes AutoFair Ford of Haverhill and atc Auto Center. 
• Brake maintenance: A shaking steering wheel that only occurs when braking often points to brake issues. Check for warped or worn rotors and brake pads. Replacing or resurfacing the rotors and replacing pads can fix this. 
• Suspension inspection: Worn-out suspension components like tie rods, ball joints, or wheel bearings can cause vibrations. A professional inspection can identify and replace damaged parts to restore proper function. 
• Power steering fluid: Ensure your power steering fluid is at the correct level. Low fluid can make steering stiffer and less smooth. 

This video demonstrates how to inspect for tire issues that cause steering wheel shaking: 53sDIYAutoworksNGYouTube · Jul 2, 2023

Will an alignment fix shaking?

An alignment may fix shaking, but it's not the only cause, and it might not be the correct solution. Shaking can also be caused by unbalanced tires, suspension issues, or brake problems, so a professional diagnosis is best to determine the root cause.
 
How alignment can help

• An alignment can cause vibrations if the wheels are improperly aligned. 
• It helps ensure your car drives straight, eliminating a common cause of shaking. 

Other common causes of shaking

• Unbalanced tires: This is a very common cause of shaking, especially at highway speeds, and is often fixed with a balance, not an alignment, says a Reddit user. 
• Suspension issues: Problems with suspension components like ball joints, tie rods, or struts can cause shaking. 
• Brake issues: A vibrating steering wheel that only occurs when you slow down is often a sign of warped rotors or bad brake pads. 

What to do

• Get a professional inspection: A mechanic can properly diagnose the issue. They can check for both alignment and balance issues, as well as other potential causes. 
• Road-force balancing: A road-force balance machine can identify issues beyond simple imbalance that can cause vibrations and may suggest corrective actions. 
• Consider the conditions: If shaking is related to something temporary, like mud or ice buildup, it will resolve itself when the conditions change. 

Why does my steering wheel shake when I go over 60?

A shaking steering wheel over 60 mph is most often caused by unbalanced tires, followed by other issues like a poor wheel alignment, worn suspension parts, or bent rims. It's best to have the problem diagnosed by a professional, as the shaking can worsen at higher speeds, and some potential causes like unbalanced tires or bent rims can be dangerous. 
Common causes

• Tire imbalance: This is the most common cause, as the weight on the tires becomes unevenly distributed at high speeds, causing vibration. 
• Worn or damaged tires: Tires with uneven wear, cracks, or bulges can cause instability at high speeds. 
• Wheel alignment issues: If your wheels are not properly aligned, they can pull in different directions, leading to shaking. 
• Worn suspension components: Worn ball joints, tie rods, or bushings can cause significant vibration at highway speeds. 
• Bent or damaged wheels: A bent rim from hitting a pothole can cause a consistent shaking at certain speeds. 
• Brake issues: Warped brake rotors can cause shaking, but this is often more pronounced when you are braking. 
• Engine problems: Less common, but things like misfiring spark plugs or a fuel delivery issue can cause a general engine vibration that is felt in the steering wheel. 

What to do

• Start with the easiest checks: First, check your tire pressure to ensure all tires are correctly inflated. 
• Get your wheels balanced: A tire shop can easily balance your wheels to see if this fixes the problem. 
• Get a professional inspection: If balancing doesn't help, take the car to a mechanic. They can diagnose other potential issues like suspension wear or a bent rim. 

Should I be worried if my steering wheel shakes?

The best exact course of action will depend on the specific problem, but there's one general thing you should always do when your steering wheel starts shaking: seek immediate help. The symptoms you're noticing could be signs of a severe problem that threatens the longevity or safety of your vehicle.