Pontiac Optima Steering wheel vibrates or shakes Inspection at your home or office.

How this system works:

The front wheels of a car perform more than one function. They do the majority of the braking, they put some or all of the power from the engine to the road, and, of course, they do the very important job of steering the car. This means that the steering system has to work around a lot of other components under the hood.

There are a few key components that can be found within almost every steering system:

• Steering Wheel: The wheel gives the driver control over where they want to go. This also is where you will feel most of your problems. Sometimes the dash will shake along with the wheel.

• Steering Column: The column is what brings the rotation down to the front wheels. It turns the wheels in the direction you want to go.

• Steering Gearbox: This is used in older vehicles. The gear transfers the turning from the steering wheel down through the linkage to the wheels.

• Steering Rack and Pinion: The rack and pinion system is on the majority of newer cars. While this performs the same function as a steering gearbox, it is easier to steer the wheels with this system.

• Wheels: Wheels are what actually steer the car left and right. Wheels and tires take a beating especially when the roads are not well maintained. Potholes, divots and other surface problems can wreak havoc on your wheels. Sadly, they are often overlooked and abused without a second thought aside from the occasional air-pressure check. This is unfortunate, as the wheels are the most likely culprit in the event of an unusual vibration in the steering wheel.