If your car starts to vibrate around 65 mph, it could be due to unbalanced or worn tires. It can also be because of misaligned wheels or issues with your suspension or drivetrain. At Murphy’s Autocare, our ASE-certified technicians will diagnose the cause.
Whether it's a bent rim, a bad wheel bearing, or out-of-balance tires. Ignoring vibrations can lead to uneven tire wear or put you at risk on the road but can also lead to more expensive repairs.
Where the vibration comes from
Where you feel it is a useful clue:
- Steering wheel shake usually points to the front wheels and tires: an out-of-balance tire, a bent wheel, or worn front suspension or steering parts.
- Seat or floor shake often comes from the rear tires and wheels, or from the driveline.
- Vibration only when braking points to the brakes, such as warped or unevenly worn rotors.
Common causes
- Tire balance. Wheel weights can fall off, and tires wear unevenly over time. A tire that is slightly out of balance is often smooth around town and shakes at highway speed.
- Tire damage or uneven wear. A separated belt, flat spot, or cupped tread can cause a vibration that gets worse as speed rises.
- Bent wheel. A pothole can bend a rim enough to cause a shake even after balancing.
- Worn suspension or steering parts. Tie rod ends, ball joints, and control arm bushings let the wheel move when it should not.
- Wheel bearings. A worn bearing often adds a humming or growling noise that changes with speed.
- Driveline. Worn CV axles, U-joints, or driveshaft problems can cause vibration under acceleration.
Alignment problems more often cause pulling and uneven tire wear than vibration, but that uneven wear can lead to a shake.
How we diagnose it
Tire and wheel vibration diagnosis is one of our tire services. Technicians check balance, tire condition, wheels, suspension, and bearings, and send a digital inspection with photos and video to your phone. You approve any repair before work begins. An alignment check is free.
Call us or schedule an appointment online today to get your vehicle inspected: Beavercreek at 937-426-2886 or Centerville at 937-433-0140, or book online.
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