Have you ever felt your car shake while driving? From a slight quiver at an idle to a jiggle on acceleration, a persistent vibration at high speed can all be symptoms that something is wrong with your car. Here at MagicTune, we regularly attend to such issues for our customers in Melbourne and Eltham and get them back on the road sans further hiccups. Now, let’s look at some of the more common reasons a car shakes and how these are able to be rectified.
Car shaking can be due to a number of different causes, and the actual cause often depends on when the shaking is occurring. Some are small and fairly easy to fix, while others, if left unchecked, can result in further damage. This guide will enable you to deduce some of the reasons your car may be shaking and give you an idea about how to approach the problem. Let me remind you, though, that the explanation given is done to increase your information, decrease your worries when your car breaks down, and finally to find out the main cause of the problem, diagnostic services must be executed on your car.
Engine Misfires: An engine that misfires causes the usual combustion to malfunction and gives way to rough vibrations. The causes of this are normally due to faulty spark plugs that need to be changed. You can take a look at this issue in our article about bad spark plug symptoms.
Warped Brake Rotors: Worn-out brake rotors may be the culprit behind a pulsation you feel in your foot every time you press the brakes. It tends to make the car start shaking during every application of the brakes. In order for it to be fixed, you will need to have the rotors either machined or replaced.
Worn Brake Pads: It might be the case that brake pads are worn out in irregularities or become extra-worn out. Then, this can also be the source of having a shaking car feeling, especially when I tend to press the brakes.
Damaged Axles: The axles are a major link in power transmission between the engine and the wheels. When axles get bent, damaged, or worn out by normal use, shaking or vibration in the car may occur, especially in higher speeds or when the vehicle is making turns. This generally comes as a result of accidents, strong impacts, or natural wear over time. Defective axles can become dangerous for other people, so they must be brought to expert services that can carry out an inspection, followed by a replacement if needed.
Unbalanced Wheels or Bent Rims: If the steering wheel of your car shakes, mainly when at high speeds, this may be due to the unbalanced wheels or bent rim. Most times, this is the cause whereby it effects the shaking of your car while driving, and you can fix this by doing a simple wheel alignment or replacing the rim.
Tire Problems: Worn-out or underinflated tires can make your car shake. This may occur upon acceleration, and your car needs regular tire rotation and balancing to avoid this problem. Poor condition of the tires can also lead to more extreme vibration, especially on the varied road conditions of Melbourne.
Loose Lug Nuts: Even a small problem, such as loose lug nuts of the wheels, may also cause wobbling of the wheels and hence create hard vibrations. This can easily be fixed by checking that the lug nuts are tightened correctly.
Leaking Vacuum Hoses: In your car, there are hoses carrying fluids for almost everything, from power steering to cooling. A defective hose may cause vacuum leaks that include shaking at an uneven idle. For example, if the vacuum hose develops a leak, the engine will run lean-that is, too much air compared to fuel-causing it to have rough idling, and even shake. Normally, worn hoses are replaced as a part of regular maintenance and generally avoid these kinds of issues.
Timing Belt Issues: A worn or misaligned timing belt can cause an irregular running of the engine, thereby giving rise to vibrations. Timing belt problems are imperative to bring into focus, since they can result in severe engine damage once they are neglected.
Bent Rim Causes: If you have ever hit a curb or driven over a pothole, you might have caused the impact to bend a rim. A bent rim changes the form of the wheel so it can no longer move even and smooth, causing shakes while driving, mainly at high speeds. The same thing may lead to nonsymmetrical wear on the tire, hence minimising its life span. At MagicTune, we highly recommend you to check your rim and wheel in case the shakes weren’t there before the impact. Quite often, all it takes is to simply realign or replace a bent rim to solve the problem in the shortest time.
Damaged Driveshaft: The driveshaft is responsible for carrying power from the transmission to the wheels. Whenever there is damage or imbalance in this regard, then it may consequently result in increased vibrations with speed. An improper driveshaft might exhibit a profound shake in acceleration or while driving at high speed. It must be fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage to other components of the vehicle and enjoy smooth and steady rides.
Clogged Fuel Filter: A continuous flow of fuel is necessary to maintain the proper functionality of the engine. If the intake system of fuel in your car is clogged and not working properly, then the appropriate quantity of fuel will not reach your car’s engine, and hence it may misfire, be very rough on idle, or jerk while driving. This can also be noticed while accelerating because, at this stage, the car will need more fuel. Doing routine maintenance that includes cleaning fuel injectors will keep the fuel intake system running.
Wobbling Wheels: If the lug nuts holding the wheel to its case are loose, then the wheel will never sit properly. For this reason, properly tightened lug nuts could prevent this problem.
Each of these issues can affect your car’s stability and drive quality, and prompt attention is essential to maintain a safe, smooth ride. For car owners in Melbourne and Eltham, MagicTune is here to diagnose and repair any of these shaking issues and keeping your car in top shape. If you suspect any of these causes are behind your car’s shaking, consider scheduling a check-up with us to ensure a safe and comfortable driving experience.
Now that we’ve covered the common causes, let’s discuss ways to address and prevent car shaking:
Keeping your engine well-tuned is critical. This includes spark plug replacements, fuel filter changes, and regular oil changes. Not changing your oil filter can also lead to poor engine performance. Check out our article on changing the oil filter.
Warped or damaged brakes need prompt attention. Routine brake maintenance is essential to avoid pulsations or shuddering during braking.
Unbalanced wheels are a common cause of shaking. Regularly rotating, balancing, and checking tire pressure ensures smooth handling.
Ensuring your axles and steering system are in good condition is vital, especially if you drive often on rough terrain around Melbourne or Eltham.
Periodic inspection of hoses prevents leaks and ensures the engine runs smoothly. Leaky hoses can be easily replaced, preventing costly repairs down the line.
Regularly inspecting the timing belt for wear or misalignment helps avoid costly engine repairs. Replacing it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations is essential.
Clean or replace fuel injectors and filters to prevent rough idling and poor performance. This can prevent problems like car shaking at high speed or while idle.
Explore our car repair & maintenance services If you seeking a proffesional team for your car.
But if you are not certain what exactly causes it to vibrate, in any case, bring your car to our MagicTune team. We have professionals that are dedicated to delivering the best services for cars and auto services for people in Eltham and Melbourne. We will be able to diagnose the problem and get your car fixed with less hassle. Some things, like leaks, really do need to have an identified cause as soon as possible. You can learn more about that in our article car oil leaking.
The shaking of a car is more than uncomfortable; it may be dangerous. By resolving issues like engine misfires, brake problems, unbalanced wheels, or damaged axles, you are able to resolve the vibrations and enjoy a smooth driving experience. Your best defence against these issues involves routine maintenance and professional inspections, and at MagicTune, we’re here to help you keep that safe, comfortable ride on the road.
Service professionalism guaranteed at MagicTune, we run one of the most technologically advanced, fully equipped workshops in Eltham and Melbourne, making a warranty for quality diagnostic and repair solutions to our residents. Let us assist you in maintaining your car at the top and have stress-free driving. If you’re interested in booking your appointment with our workshop today, simply give us a call or drive into our premises with confidence, knowing that your car is in good hands. The hands of Melbourne’s most experienced and expert mechanics.
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