My Car Is Shaking For No Apparent Reason

There are very few things more disturbing than experiencing your car shaking for no apparent reason. If your car is shaking while travelling around at a higher speed and for longer distances, ask yourself if these shaking episodes are something you should be concerned about and get fixed quickly.

In this article, we will explain the most common reasons why your car is shaking while driving. We will start with some signs you should keep an eye out for.

One of the leading reasons could be caused by damage or an unbalanced driveshaft or could be caused by your bearings.

There are several things that could be causing this problem but certainly not all of them. Here’s a list of some of the most common issues why your car is shaking.

Why Your Car Is Shaking While Driving

Damaged Tyres or Rims

Damage to your tyres or rims is probably one of the most common reasons why your car shakes while you are driving. It could have happened due to an accident you were in or it could be age.

Tyres must be replaced every now and then. Tyres are made from rubber causing cracking, or age has taken over. Your tyres go through wear and tear, bubbles can start forming, or the surfaces become uneven. Any of these factors are good reasons why your car is shaking.

Another reason, you possibly drove over a curb, or something similar, and it damaged the tyre or the rim.

If it has been a while since you replaced your tyres or you experienced a small accident, it is probably a good idea to take a closer look at the tyres and the wheels.

Damaged Brake Rotors

A damaged brake rotor can definitely cause vibrations or shaking when driving. The brake pads always push up against the rotors. When you apply more pressure to the brake pedal and your steering wheel starts vibrating, more than likely the problem is with the front brake rotors.

If you feel even more shaking from braking but it’s not coming from the steering wheel, your problem could be caused by the rear brake rotors wearing out.

As time goes by, the rotors and brake pads will wear out and must be replaced. In general, the car’s brake rotors should be changed out every 70,000 to 90,000 miles.

The Tyres Are Not Correctly Balanced

At some point in time, your tyres will lose their balance causing vibrations. It can be caused by the age of the tyres or the balance weights are loose, especially if you have glued weights which is actually quite common on aluminum rims.

To balance the tyres you must add a small number of weights to each wheel which is performed by a machine. If this seems to be the problem take your car to a tyre shop and get the issue solved.

The CV Axles or Driveshaft

The CV axles or the driveshaft send power from the transmission to the wheels. The axles must be properly balanced to prevent vibrations or shaking while driving.

If the axles are damaged or bent from driving over an inert object, like a curb, or caused by wear and tear, you will experience shaking. If the shaking becomes intense, it will increase as you accelerate the car but you might feel the shaking at an average constant speed as well

If you just try to inspect the axles visually, it’s probably not a good option because they are too small to clearly see with your eyes. On the other hand, if they look rusty or show signs of damage, they are probably out of balance.

Power Steering Issues

If the shaking or vibrations only surface when you turn the steering wheel, the problem could be caused by the power steering system.

You should check the power steering system for leaks and make sure the power steering fluid level is correct. Should the fluid appear black and worn, it’s time to change it out.

If you hear noises from the power steering pump while the engine is running, you may have a damaged power steering pump.

Faulty Steering Components

The steering components play an important role in the operation of your car. These components must be steady without any play or you will notice issues with your car.

Over time, these components will wear out causing play in the bushings and ball joints. This will cause the wheel alignment to become unacceptable causing vibrations to build when driving because the tyre angles will start fighting each other.

You should raise the wheels of the car and rub the wheel to the left and right. There should be no play and the wheels should be steady.

Engine Issues

In some cases, it’s a problem with the engine, not the wheels or brakes.

If your car starts to shake while driving at a consistent speed or your car starts jerking when you accelerate, there’s a good chance it’s an issue with the engine, not the suspension.

There could be a wrong air-fuel mixture in the engine causing misfiring. Also, the misfiring can be caused by worn ignition parts. Keep in mind, that if you do have engine issues, the engine light will light up on the dashboard.

If you experience shaking while driving and the check engine light comes on, it’s definitely time to read the trouble codes from the engine control unit.

Loose or Damaged Wheel Bearings

Loose or worn wheel bearings and loose steering components are closely linked and have similar problems. The wheel bearings are mounted on the steering hub in order for the wheels to freely rotate.

If the bearings wear out, the wheel will move side to side, freely, at any speed which will cause vibrations. You might also hear a high noise while driving at faster speeds if your car has a damaged or faulty wheel bearing.

If you are not mechanically inclined, you should take your car to a mechanic and have it checked out as soon as possible. There are several reasons why your car is shaking or vibrating while driving so you need to have all possibilities ruled out and then get it fixed as soon as possible.

Conclusion

For car servicing and repairs in and around Manchester city centre and North Manchester, Oldham, Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Stalybridge etc. you can count on Servicing Master. You can get a quick repair or service quote from a local premium garage close to you by using our simple car service quote form. We also offer a collection and drop off service. A convenient, friendly and affordable service, try Servicing Master once and you’ll never go back. Give us a call now on 0161 302 0201. Or simply book your car service now.