Car problems originating from the wheel or tire area are commonplace. But when strange noises and vibration are coming from that same area, you’ll want to pay extra attention. Sometimes the vibrations will make themselves known through the steering wheel.
Keep reading to learn the most common causes of noise and vibration from the wheel area and how they can impact your driving and accident risk.
Top 7 Reasons of Wheel Area Noise and Vibration
There are many possible reasons as to why you are having these problems from within the wheel area while you’re driving.
Sometimes the cause may be found in your tires directly while at other times the problem could be associated with another component of your vehicle that is linked to your tires.
Below are the main causes of tire noise and vibration while driving at low and high speeds.
#1. Wheel-Related Issues (Bearings, Joints, and Damage).
Your wheels are what get controlled by your steering system. The tires are forced to move and rotate in the same way as the wheels because they are attached together.
Therefore, you must check and see if there is a problem with any of the components directly related to your wheels.
This means inspecting the wheel bearings to ensure they are not worn out or damaged. Also, if you have bad ball joints or tie rod ends, then you will hear squeaky noises coming from the area around your tires.
Finally, wheel damage such as a bent rim will definitely cause vibration and shaking. In fact, driving straight will prove to be the biggest challenge because the wheels and tires will shake just from that.
#2. Tire Problems (Wear, Pressure, and Balance).
If there are no problems with the wheels then the problem may be with the tires themselves.
Something as mediocre as worn tire tread or low air pressure due to a screw or nail in just one tire could cause the entire vehicle to shake because all four tires will be unevenly positioned on the road.
It is important to make sure you don’t have unbalanced tires and don’t show signs of uneven tread wear. It’s also crucial to have the recommended amount of air pressure in them. If you don’t then you will notice a lot of shaking when you drive at higher speeds.
Air pressure is the easiest tire problem to fix because you just top off the air with your air compressor or go to the gas station and pump more air into the tires using their compressor.
But when you have tire tread wear, it usually occurs more on one side of the car versus the other side. In this case, you would rotate the tires around to even them out more on both sides.
#3. Brake System Issues (Rotors, Pads, and Hydraulics).
When driving at low or high speeds and you start to apply pressure to the brake pedal, you may experience strange noises or shaking from the tires at that point. This could mean a problem with the brake rotor (such as warping) or worn brake pads of the braking system.
There could also be another component of the braking system that may be causing this too such as low brake fluid or a sticky caliper. The best advice is to have a mechanic inspect your brakes to see why they aren’t performing like they should be.
#4. Axle Damage (Bends and Misalignments).
A damaged or bent axle can cause noticeable or even violent vibration to come from the tires while driving. An axle will normally get in this condition after surviving a car accident or if you vehicle runs over a large rock or other solid object.
The faster you drive, the worse the shaking will get. But the shaking won’t go away completely if you are driving at low speeds either. This is a problem which will require you to replace your axle before it gets in any worse shape.
#5. Suspension Issues (Shocks, Struts, and Springs).
Worn or damaged suspension components can lead to noticeable noise and vibration from the wheel area. Shock absorbers and struts that are on their last legs may cause your vehicle to bounce excessively, especially over bumps.
Faulty springs can create a clunking noise when going over bumps and may cause the vehicle to lean to one side. In some cases, a broken spring can lead to a grinding noise as it rubs against the tire.
#6. Engine/Transmission Mounts (Vibrations and Clunks).
Engine and transmission mounts are designed to secure these heavy components and isolate their vibrations from the rest of the vehicle.
When these mounts begin to fail, they can cause various noises and shaking. You might notice increased engine vibration at idle, which can be felt through the steering wheel, seats, or floorboard.
Clunking noises when shifting gears or accelerating/decelerating are also common symptoms.
In extreme cases, the engine may visibly shift or rock under the hood and nearby components like belts and fans can get misaligned and damaged (or cause damage to other components).
#7. CV Joints (Clicking and Vibrating).
Constant Velocity (CV) joints are important components in front-wheel-drive and some all-wheel-drive vehicles.
When these joints wear out or become damaged, they can produce distinct symptoms such as a clicking or popping noise when turning, especially at low speeds.
As the problem worsens, you may feel shaking that increases as vehicle speed goes up. In severe cases, the car might shudder when accelerating.
CV joint problems often start with torn boots, which allow lubricating grease to escape and contaminants to enter. Regular inspection of CV boots can help catch issues early.
Finding the Source of Wheel Area Noise and Vibration
Because of all the possible reasons of vibration and noise, a systematic approach can help you identify the root cause before getting professional help or attempting repairs on your own. Follow these diagnostic steps to narrow down the potential problems and same a lot of time.
Step 1: Listen and Feel
Pay close attention to when the noise or vibration occurs. Is it constant, or does it happen only during specific actions? Note if it’s present while accelerating, braking, turning, or at certain speeds.
Vibrations felt in the steering wheel often indicate front-end issues, while vibrations in the seat might suggest rear-end problems. High-pitched squeals usually point to brake issues, while rumbling or humming noises could be tire or bearing related.
Step 2: Visual Inspection
Examine your tires and wheels thoroughly. Look for excessive outer or inner tire wear, which normally indicates alignment or suspension issues. Check for bulges, bald spots, or foreign objects like nails or screws embedded in the tire.
Inspect the wheels for any bent areas or cracks. Don’t forget to check the wheel wells for any debris or loose components (ie: wheel well lining) that might be causing interference.
Step 3: Check Tire Pressure
Use a reliable tire pressure gauge (like this one) to check all four tires. Compare the readings to the recommended pressure listed in your vehicle’s manual or on the driver’s side door jamb.
Uneven tire pressure can cause vibrations and affect handling. Remember that tire pressure can change with temperature fluctuations, so check when tires are cold for accuracy.
Step 4: Wheel and Bearing Inspection
Safely jack up the car and support it with jack stands. While the wheel is off the ground, grasp it at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions and try to wobble it. Any play could indicate worn wheel bearings or other suspension issues.
Rotate each wheel by hand, listening for any grinding, clicking, or humming noises. These could indicate problems with wheel bearings, CV joints, or brake components.
Pay attention to any roughness or resistance in the rotation, which might suggest brake drag or bearing issues.
Keep in mind that your emergency brake needs to be off if attempting to turn the rear wheels and the transmission may need to be in neutral for some vehicles.
Step 5: Suspension Check
With the car safely supported, grasp each tire at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions and try to rock it. Any noticeable play could indicate worn ball joints, tie rods, or wheel bearings.
Then, with the vehicle back on the ground, check the shock absorbers by pushing down on each corner of the vehicle and releasing. The car should rebound once and stop. If it continues to bounce, the shocks may be worn.
Step 6: Brake Inspection
Look through the wheel spokes to check the brake rotor condition. Visible scoring, grooves, or unevenness suggests brake issues.
If possible, check the thickness of the brake pads. You may need to remove the wheel for this. Thin pads can cause squealing and reduced braking performance. Look for any signs of brake fluid leaks around the wheels or brake components.
Step 7: Test Drive
If it’s safe to do so, take the vehicle for a test drive. Try to replicate the conditions when you notice the noise or vibration. Drive at various speeds and on different road surfaces. Note whether the issue changes with speed, during turns, or when applying brakes.
When possible, have a passenger listen and feel for the problem to get a second perspective. They may hear or feel the symptoms better on the passenger side of the car.
Step 8: Professional Inspection
If you can’t easily identify the issue or aren’t confident in your abilities to perform each step, consult a professional mechanic. They have specialized equipment for more advanced diagnostics, including:
- Wheel balancing machines to check for imbalances
- Alignment equipment to measure and adjust wheel angles
- Diagnostic scan tools to check for any relevant error codes
- Brake lathe to measure rotor runout