What causes my steering wheel to shimmy back and forth when I drive?

Question

What causes my steering wheel to shimmy back and forth when I drive?

Answer 1

Because you are driving a piece......must be a Toyota

Answer 2

it is possible that you need to get your tires realigned.  

Answer 3

could be a variety of things (bad tires, poor alignment, bad struts, low/uneven air in tires).  my car does the same thing.

Answer 4

"All cars do that"... that's funny. yea, get your wheels realigned. If you've been in a minor accident too the axle might have gotten bent, but more likely it's the wheels. If it only happens when you break then you need your wheels shaved and you should stop riding the breaks and wearing out the pads.

Answer 5

Well, it could be:  out of balance tires, loose lug nuts, worn out tie-rods, or a bad spindle.

Answer 6

You probably need a front end alignment.If you don't, it can cause a lot of problems with the mechanics under your car...like the universal joints,possibly breaks,steering device,etc.

Also,it could be that you need your tires balanced.It may be that you need both things done.

They're not REAL expensive,but,if not taken care of you could really get into the expensive repairs.

Hope this helps some!

Answer 7

first check your air pressure

check your tires for balance

if tires are wearing on the inside or ouside than relialign

if tires are cupped you need shocks or struts

Answer 8

Could be several things, most likely worn ball joints, or worn suspension bushings, bad alinement,  uneven tire wear, wheeel out of balance, low air pressure... best to take it to a shop and have it checked out......

Answer 9

alignment could be off, or possibly one tire is under/over inflated.

Answer 10

all cars do that

Answer 11

Could be alot of things, easiest thing to do.

Jack the front left, rock the wheel gently left to right just a few mill,

if you notice abit of play or excessive movement thenget someone to keep rocking it while you look behind the wheel and try see what part has the play.

if there is no play then try up and down with the wheel.

do the same on both sides.

if there is no play like that on either side then its down to the tyres get the pressures checked, make sure same size on each side and get them aligned

job done

Answer 12

You could have not put your wheel back on tight enough.  If the lug nuts are loose then the wheel could be the problem.

You could have a loose tie rod (this makes both wheels turn the same amount)

You could have an unballanced wheel.  If a big glob of road tar is stuck to the inside of the wheel it adds weight that is not ballanced and can make the wheel shake

Take it to a mechanic and have him look at it.

Answer 13

a flattening tire on one side or you need a steering alignment, maybe both if not it could be something with the axle i'm not too sure about.

Answer 14

there might be somthing wrong with your car or your car might not like that speed happened to me :]

Answer 15

Its completely normal. there is no reason to take your hands off the wheel while driving!

Answer 16

It is either an out of balance tire, a bad tire (meaning the internal ply's are separating), or you have a bent wheel. A bad alignment could have caused tire wear to the point that the tires are not concentric enough to give you a smooth ride. Could also be too much wear on the suspension or steering components.