Possible causes
Wheel imbalance
Uneven weight distribution in the rim and tyre can cause vibration at certain speeds. Balancing corrects this, but it should not be seen as the only fix before the condition of the wheel has been checked.
Tyre or rim
Damage after an impact, a deformation or a problem after fitting needs a separate inspection. Tell us if the tyres were changed recently or a wheel hit a pothole. Some defects cannot be seen by looking at a parked car.
Suspension or another system
If the vibration comes with knocking or imprecise steering, or appears only when braking, the checks needed are different. Not every shaking steering wheel means wrong alignment: adjusting the angles and balancing do different jobs.
What to tell the mechanic
- Whether you feel the vibration only in the steering wheel or also in the seat and body.
- Whether it appears at a steady speed, when accelerating or exactly when you brake.
- What happened before: a tyre change, a repair, a hit to a wheel or a long period parked.
What you can do
A strong vibration that appears suddenly, especially after an impact, means you should stop in a safe place. If the car has become unstable or brakes differently, do not continue until a specialist has assessed it. Do not try to drive through the vibration by speeding up.
Where the check starts
The mechanic finds the exact cause during the inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Are balancing and wheel alignment the same thing?
No. Balancing is about how the weight of a rotating wheel is distributed; alignment is about the wheel angles. One does not replace the other. The order of the work depends on what the inspection finds.
What information should I have ready for Titan?
The car model, wheel size, the conditions in which the vibration appears and any recent work. At Titan, Petricani 17/3, tyre fitting, balancing and suspension checks are available. The cost depends on the work needed after the inspection.