Troubleshooting Common Causes Of Vehicle Vibrations
Posted on: 7 September 2018
If all of your vehicle's systems are in good condition, you shouldn't be able to feel the roughness of the road, and you definitely should not be feeling any sort of shaking while driving. However, these are two of the most common problems that can manifest in your car, since they can be caused by different types of wear and damage to multiple different systems within your vehicle. Understanding how to identify what is causing chronic vibrations while driving can help you fix the problem faster.
Misaligned Tires
One of the most common reasons why your vehicle may be shaking while you are driving is because the tires are misaligned and are thus pulling away from each other, placing stress on your suspension system and axles. You can tell if this is the case if you find that your vehicle is constantly drifting to one side of the road even when the steering wheel is pointed straight ahead. Further, you may notice that certain sections of your tire's treads are wearing down at a faster rate than the rest of the tire.
Brake Wear
If the vibrations that you experience while driving happen when you're slowing down, the brakes are the most likely culprit. Brake pads that have begun to wear out and place stress on the caliper and rotors will emit a high-pitched screech or squeal while pressing the pedal down in addition to the characteristic vibrations.
Transmission Issues
A worn or damaged transmission that has gear teeth that have begun to erode can also cause a significant amount of vibration and shaking while driving, as it will not be able to maintain the current gear that your engine is in. This can cause rough gear changes, characterized by a grinding or clunking sound, as well as sudden slippages and surges, where your vehicle accelerates or slows down suddenly, along with a great deal of shaking.
Suspension Damage
Finally, but definitely not least, any sort of damage to your suspension system can cause a great amount of shaking while driving. You can tell that your suspension system is no longer in good working condition if you find that your vehicle lists to one side constantly, even while parked. You can also test the state of your suspension by pressing down on the hood of your vehicle with both hands. If the suspension is in good condition, your car should only move a small amount. If the suspension is damaged or broken, however, your vehicle will bounce noticeably for several seconds – even after you've removed your hands.
Take your car to a car repair shop like Suburban Driveline Inc if you experience any of these issues.
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