As drivers, we all know the feeling of cruising down the highway, enjoying the open road and beautiful scenery. But, that peaceful journey can quickly become a nerve-wracking experience if our car starts shaking uncontrollably at high speeds. Not only is it uncomfortable for passengers, but it’s also dangerous for everyone on the road. So, What Causes My Car to Shake Over 70 Mph? We’ll answer this for you in this guide.
There are many reasons why your car might shake over 70 mph, and it’s important to understand these causes to prevent accidents and prolong the life of your vehicle. In this guide, we’ll explore eight common reasons why cars shake at high speeds.
What Causes My Car To Shake Over 70 mph?
It is quite common for a vehicle to shake violently as it approaches or exceeds 70 mph. The cause of this problem can be attributed to several factors, with the most common being unbalanced tires. When your wheels are out of balance, it means that one part of the tire is heavier than the other parts, which causes vibrations in the steering wheel and throughout the car.
Also counts low tire pressure here. It’s essential to keep your tires properly inflated as low air pressure could lead to increased friction between the rubber and pavement, causing excessive vibration when you’re driving at higher speeds. Uneven wear on your tires may also result in shaking while driving over 70 mph.
Tires That Are Out Of Balance:
While driving at speeds of 70mph or higher if you experience any shake, it’s likely that your tires are out of balance. It means that one part of the tire is heavier than another. This imbalance causes the tire to vibrate as it rotates at high speeds. Over time, this vibration can lead to uneven wear on your tires, which can decrease their lifespan and lead to costly replacements down the line. An imbalanced tire can also cause excess strain on your vehicle’s suspension system and steering components, both of which are crucial for maintaining control on the road.
Wheels That Aren’t Aligned:
Your wheels may be out of alignment. Alignment refers to the positioning of your wheels about each other and to your vehicle’s frame. When it’s off, it can cause all sorts of problems.
Here are a few possible causes:
Uneven tire wear: If your wheels aren’t aligned properly, the tires may wear unevenly, causing them to vibrate or wobble as they rotate.
Bent rims: A bent rim can also cause vibrations in the car, particularly at higher speeds. This is often caused by hitting a pothole or curb.
Suspension problems: Finally, if your suspension system is damaged or worn out, it can cause shaking and vibrations throughout the car. Other symptoms like poor handling or uneven tire wear may accompany this.
Another common sign of misalignment is a shaky steering wheel when you hit high speed. As your speed increases, so does the force being applied to your tires and suspension system. When everything is properly aligned, these forces are distributed evenly across all four wheels. But if one or more wheels aren’t lined up correctly, they’ll be forced to bear more weight than they can handle, leading to that uncomfortable wobbling sensation.
Tire Wear Inequality:
Tire wear inequality is a common problem that can cause your car to shake when driving over 70 mph. Uneven tire wear occurs when the tires are not worn evenly across the tread surface. This can be caused by several factors, such as improper tire inflation, misalignment, or worn suspension components.
One of the most common causes of uneven tire wear is a damaged belt in one of the tires. When a belt becomes damaged, it can cause the tire to develop a flat spot on one side which results in vibrations and shaking when driving at high speeds. If you notice your car vibrating or bouncing while driving at high speeds, it is essential to get your tires checked immediately.
To determine if your car’s shaking is due to tire wear inequality, pay attention to where the vibration comes from and how it feels. Try slowing down gradually and see if the vibration goes away.
Runout Of The Wheels:
Runout of the wheels occurs when the rim or tire isn’t perfectly round, leading to vibration and instability. It occurs due to improper installation or maintenance. When a wheel is mounted onto a vehicle, it must be balanced to ensure that weight is distributed evenly around the axle. If this step isn’t done correctly, then uneven wear on the tire can occur, leading to an out-of-round shape over time.
Another factor that can contribute to wheel runout is damage or wear on other parts of the suspension system. Bent axles, worn bearings, and damaged tie rods can all lead to misalignment issues in your wheels and tires.
A Brake System That Isn’t Working:
A brake system is an essential component of any vehicle, ensuring the safety and control of the driver. But, when it fails to work correctly at 45 to 50 mph, one can experience a disturbing shake through the steering column caused by stiff brake calipers and discs. This shaking sensation can be unnerving, causing them to lose confidence in their car’s ability to perform optimally.
The primary reason behind such a disturbance is often worn-out brake components like rotors or pads. When these parts become warped or damaged due to excessive heat build-up or overuse, they fail to provide consistent braking performance and result in uneven wear on tires. Poorly lubricated sliders or rust buildup on caliper pistons may cause them to seize up and stick, leading to severe vibration through the steering wheel while driving.
Starved Engine:
A starved engine is a condition where the car’s combustion chamber gets inadequate oxygen or fuel to function correctly.
A lack of fuel supply could cause the engine to shake and vibrate, especially at higher speeds. This issue usually happens when the fuel pump fails or when there is an obstruction in the fuel line leading to insufficient gasoline flow. On the other hand, if there is not enough oxygen supply, this could also lead to an unstable engine since it needs adequate oxygen levels for proper combustion. This problem usually occurs when air filters are clogged with debris and dirt that prevent sufficient airflow into the combustion chamber.
Worn Components:
If parts of your vehicle are worn or damaged, they can create vibrations that cause shaking.
Worn Tires:
Worn-out tires are more likely to vibrate at high speeds, which ultimately leads to car shaking. The uneven wear patterns on the tire due to misalignment or improper inflation can also cause vibration issues. In some cases, worn-out tires can even lead to a blowout at high speeds, which is extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Replace your tires if you notice they’re balding or have bulges.
Suspension Issues:
Suspension issues typically occur due to issues with shock absorbers, struts, ball joints, or tie rods that are no longer functioning correctly. Any damage to these parts can lead to a breakdown in control and affect how well your car handles rough terrain.
Worn Suspension System:
The suspension system is designed to keep your car stable and absorb shocks from the road. But, parts such as springs, shocks, or struts may wear out or become damaged, resulting in an uneven ride and even causing your car to vibrate at higher speeds. Worn bushings or bearings in the suspension system may cause misalignment of wheels leading to uneven tire wear and further vibration issues at high speeds.
Wheel Bearing:
This component supports the weight of your car while allowing the wheels to rotate smoothly. Over time, wheel bearings can become worn out or corroded, causing them to produce noise and vibrations that increase with speed.
Brake Caliper:
Malfunctioning of the brake caliper can also be a reason, how?… let’s find out.
A brake caliper is responsible for applying pressure to the brake pads, which in turn slows down the rotation of your wheels. When a caliper malfunctions, it can cause uneven pressure on the pad, which creates an imbalance in how each wheel responds to braking. As a result, one wheel will slow down faster than the other, creating that unsettling vibration at high speeds.
Wrapping Up:
Knowing what causes my car to shake over 70 Mph can help ensure your safety and the longevity of your vehicle. By learning about issues such as wheel balance, tire wear, suspension problems, and more, you can take proactive steps to address any underlying concerns before they become major concerns.
Taking action now will help keep you and your passengers safe on the road! Keep a close eye on your vehicle’s performance and make sure to address any problems before they become bigger issues.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How we can repair a vehicle that shakes when driving at high speeds?
– It’s important to examine the condition of the tires and wheels regularly, especially if they appear uneven or worn out.
– If you find that the wheels are out of balance, get them balanced as soon as possible.
– Sometimes, misalignment of the wheels can cause a car shakes when driving over 70 mph. So, make sure they are aligned correctly.
Is it possible for a car’s gearbox to cause it to shake?
Yes, it’s possible. The gearbox of a car is responsible for converting the power generated by the engine into torque which drives the wheels. When there’s a misalignment or damage to any of its components such as bearings, gears, or shafts, it can cause vibrations that are transmitted through the car’s body and felt by occupants. These vibrations can range from mild to severe depending on how badly damaged the gearbox is.
Is it possible for a starving engine to cause my vehicle to shake?
Yes, when an engine doesn’t receive enough fuel or air to operate correctly, it begins to shake or vibrate because of incomplete combustion. The shaking sensation can vary in intensity and frequency, but it’s usually noticeable at idle or when accelerating. This issue is more common in older vehicles with carbureted engines than modern cars with fuel injection systems. In some cases, a hot engine block can also contribute to this problem.