Q: My car steering wheel shakes

asked by on August 21, 2017

My car steering wheel shakes when accelerating between 60 and 70 mph I just had the brakes done and replaced new tires with balance and alignment. Bent rim maybe lump In the tire. CV joints bent control arm tie rod. rod bushings. Any ideas?

My car has 73000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

What you are describing sounds like a problem with the rack and pinion gears. The rack and pinion gear set does two things: It converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion needed to turn the wheels. It also provides a gear reduction, making it easier to turn the wheels by the use of reduction gears where the steering shaft connects. This system uses a torsion bar driven valve to direct and relieve pressure in a cylinder. When the steering wheel is not being turned, the steering valve is at rest. In this position fluid flows around the valve and out to the reservoir which is where the power steering fluid resides when not at work. Slight pressure also enters both sides of the assist cylinder. Because pressure is equal on both sides of the piston nothing occurs when the wheel is straight ad no assistance is need to turn the wheels either way. Occasionally you’ll notice that your steering wheel will make jerking movements or sudden turns to the left or right when not directed by you. This is typically the sign of loose bearings in the steering rack and the result of the steering rack literally moving without input. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Replacement wheel bearing humming.
Hi there. There is a possibility that another bearing could be bad. Cars have bearings in all four wheels, If the noise was so loud out of the left front it might have been hard to hear if another wheel...
Power steering stops working at low speeds
The slower the vehicle is moving, the harder the power steering system has to work. So if the power assist is failing at slower speeds, the more common issue is either a faulty pump or a serpentine belt that is...
Changed battery and the alarm keeps going off and the car won't start now.
The computer had to reset after sitting a few hours and alarm reset. The vehicle thought it was being stolen and did what it was supposed to do. You should have locked all the doors with remote or key and...
Is it true that once you use synthetic motor oil, you can't go back to conventional or blend?
Hi there, thanks for writing in. This is one of the biggest myths that exist when it comes to motor oils. You can most certainly switch back and forth at anytime. Synthetic oils are in fact simply a blend of...
Alignment - 2007 Lincoln MKX
For an alignment (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-know-if-you-need-a-wheel-alignment-by-robert-tomashek) to be as precise as possible, the used tires (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-know-when-to-replace-tires_2) on the car have to have reasonably uniform wear. The best alignment results will be obtained with new tires, but so long as the tires that...
I just had water pump replaced and I'm having issues.
Hello. It sounds like something was not reinstalled correctly. The fact that the Check Engine Light is flashing tells me that there is an engine misfire. This can be caused by a loose connection or it may be something that...
My car has recently been taking about 5 minutes of cranking to start - do I need to replace the engine?
Before resorting to removing the engine, have a certified technician properly diagnose your hard starting condition (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-hard-to-start-inspection). Hard starting or a long cranking situation can be caused by a number of things. The "system too lean" code can contribute to...
If the AWD stays on what service is needed.
It sounds as if the light was not on when you brought it to the dealer. If this is the case, and there isn't a code in the AWD module, then there is nothing anyone can do with a car...
How much will it cost to get the undercarriage repaired on a chevy corisca
The repair and refurbishment cost depends on the location and extent of the damage. In some circumstances, there is no economic repair available if the corrosion has proceeded too far. Usually, all of the brake, fuel, and vapor lines will...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mazda 3
The The compact car class is definitely a competitive one, with established models like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic taking up a lot of the market every year. However, if you’re looking for a really attractive compact sedan or...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Doctor Who Makes House Calls
If If you are a doctor who makes house calls, reliability is likely to be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to choosing a used car. You also expect a certain level of comfort. We have evaluated...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re Shorter Than Average
Vertically Vertically challenged? Hate getting behind the wheel and having to crane your neck to see? There’s nothing wrong with you, but there is something wrong with your car. It might be time to trade it in and take advantage...