The main reasons why a steering wheel shakes at high speeds include:
- Tires out of balance or unevenly worn. This is the most common cause and usually starts around 50 mph or higher. Improper tire inflation, damaged tires, or bent rims can contribute.
- Warped brake rotors can cause shaking especially when braking from high speeds. This results from uneven surfaces on the rotors due to heat and pressure.
- Wheel alignment issues cause uneven tire wear and steering wheel vibration, often making the car pull to one side.
- Damaged or worn suspension/steering components like ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, or bushings lead to vibration and instability.
- Loose or improperly tightened lug nuts can also cause vibration.
In summary, the most likely cause for a shaking steering wheel at high speeds is unbalanced or out-of-alignment tires, but brake rotor condition and suspension parts should also be checked to diagnose and fix the issue safely.
