Does your car shake, shimmer, and/or vibrate? Read this...

Is your front end wobbly? Does your steering wheel shake?

There are a few reasons that your car will shake.

Your car will either shake up and down as if your riding on a washboard:

1a. This is caused by a bubble in your tire, or balding tires; as well as having tires that have not been properly (regularly) rotated and/or balanced.

1b. This is also due to a mis-alignment of either front and/or back tires. Not all vehicles can have a rear alignment, so check with your mechanic to find out.


2a. If your car is shaking from side to side; and/or your steering wheel shakes even a little bit while at higher speeds (45 and above); this is caused by the wheel bearings. Wheel bearings over time get dusty, from brake dust, water damage etc. Over time they wear out and become thinner, loose, and the grease seals wear out.

2b. The thing about this is that you can easily check this yourself before consulting your mechanic or other automotive dealers and such:

2c. With one tire securlely raised about 2 inches of the ground (or less as long as it's not touching the ground; grab the tire with both hand at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock; push and pull from either side as if your trying to wiggle the tire off; if there is a lot of play and you can easily move the tire back and forth in this direction, your wheel bearing is bad on that side. (front of vehicle) Do this for the other front tire as well; NOTE: regardless of how one or the other tire is, it is best (recommended) to replace both wheel bearings, for if you replace one, and leave the other, the one not replaced will soon go bad, and you'll be back to square one agian - save yourself the time and money and have them both done - (most mechanics will not do only one anyway and will recommend this as well).

3. When you have these wheel bearing replaced, ask them to check (and perform if needed and affordable) a front end alignment (some do this as well as part of the service and service charge) as well as alert you of the condition of your struts.

4. If your struts are bad, you'll know. The front end will "rattle" on either side, or both depending on if one side or both sides are bad. It won't necessarily do it all the time, however every time you hit a bump, even the smallest of bumps, you'll hear it, and possibly even feel it in the floorbard and foot peddles.

This is not something to be to worried about as far as being able to drive the vehicle, however NOTE that this will affect other components on the front end such as the alignment. Also, if this is not something you can afford to fix at this time, rest assured you can still have an alignment performed, however they may not be able to perform a "full" alignment until the struts are replaced.

Consult your mechanic for more and fuller details regarding your particular vehicle, and discuss the best options that suit your financial and car needs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me here on fixya.com.

Please know that I take great pride in helping others fixing thier cars and computers as well (PC's and Laptop's). You can search me under the Cars and Trucks listing as carsandcomps.

"Information obtained in this tip is derived and stated based on my personal experience with my 1993 Toyota Carolla. My struts need replaced, however I was able to have a 3/4 alignment performed, and my mechanic informed me that the struts will be fine until I can afford to replace. I also had new tires put on the front as well." Please consult your mechanic for your specific car or truck as each vehicle condition and options vary.

I sincerely thank you for reading my tips, and look forward to helping you fix your car or truck and getting back on the road safely.

carsandcomps,

Guru, Premium Expert @ Fixya.com