Can Bad Struts Cause Steering Wheel Vibration? Reasons, Symptoms, and Fixes

You might have experienced a sudden vibration in the steering wheel of your car while you were driving. It is undoubtedly an unpleasant experience for every driver because it spoils the whole journey.

In this situation, your mind thinks of the reason which causes this vibration, and a variety of causes may hit your mind. A common question may arise: “Can Bad Struts Cause Steering Wheel Vibration?” The short answer is yes, bad struts can indeed cause steering wheel vibration.

This informative article will discuss an important automotive part, i.e., struts, and their link to the steering system. We will also discuss the defective struts and their symptoms. So, continue reading this article to get to know about the significance of the struts in the performance of your vehicles. 

What are Struts? Role And Function in Car

First of all, let’s understand what struts are and why they are essential components of your car. Struts are an important part of your vehicle’s suspension system.

They are designed to provide a smoother, stable, and comfortable ride. Struts consist of a coil spring and a shock absorber. These two components work together to perform several functions.

The coil spring in the strut is responsible for damping the feel of uneven roads. On the other hand, the shock absorber absorbs the compression and rebound of the springs and suspension. They control the unwanted and excess spring motion. Overall, they ensure comfort while traveling.

Without adequately functioning struts, your car will encounter amplified bouncing, vibrations, and instability. This shows the importance of struts in the good performance of your vehicle.

Do Struts Have Anything to Do with Steering?

What is the connection between struts and your car’s steering system? Although struts primarily support the suspension system of your vehicle, they are also helpful in steering stability.

Following are the key points that describe the linkage between struts and steering wheel:

•  Alignment: When your struts are in good condition, they make sure that your wheels are correctly aligned with the body of your car. This alignment is essential for the smooth functioning of steering. This alignment is also helpful for maintaining the intended path while driving.
•  Padding: The components of a strut absorb the shocks and vibrations transferred from the uneven road to the steering system. This padding of shocks is essential for a smooth ride.

Why Bad Struts Cause Steering Wheel Vibration? Reasons

 Struts play a key role in maintaining wheel alignment with your vehicle’s body. They also provide support when your car encounters bumps. When one or more struts become worn out or damaged, it can result in misalignment between the wheel and the frame of your vehicle. This misalignment causes vibrations you can feel through the steering wheel or, in severe cases, even through the seat.

Besides this, if any of the components within a strut, such as the shock absorbers or coil, fails, they can also contribute to vibrations throughout your car’s body. These vibrations also pose a threat to your safety. Struts are part and parcel of maintaining your car’s stability. Therefore, addressing bad struts is essential for a safe and comfortable driving experience.

Signs of a Bad Strut Causes Steering Vibration:

Now let us explore the symptoms of a bad strut:

•  Vibration While Driving: One of the major signs that your car’s struts may be defective is a considerable vibration while driving. In most of the cases, this vibration is felt through the steering wheel or the seat. 

•  Excessive Body Roll: Body roll occurs when a centrifugal force acts on a car as it goes around a corner. Bad struts can lead to excessive body roll when taking sharp turns while driving. If your car leans excessively, it’s a sign that the struts of your vehicle may be faulty.

•  Lack of Stability: If you feel you are losing control over your car when encountering ups and downs in the road, it is a sign of defective struts.

•  Unusual noise: Unpleasant noises rising from your vehicle, especially at high speeds, alert you of the wear and tear of struts

How to Fix a Bad Strut?

If you’re experiencing vibration in your car, there’s a good chance it’s due to a bad strut. A strut is a metal or plastic tube that connects your wheel to your car’s structure.

When it becomes worn out, the metal can start to bend, which can cause vibration and other problems. You can do several things to address the issue of a bad strut:

• Replace the entire strut assembly: This is usually the best option if the problem is severe or you have spare parts.
• Repair the strut using an adhesive or repair kit: This type of repair will solve most issues but may not be permanent.
• Replace just one section of the strut: This option is good for minor repairs or when you don’t have replacement parts available for the entire assembly.

Can Struts Also Cause Vibration When Braking?

Another relevant question is whether bad struts can cause vibrations when braking. Struts basically work for your vehicle’s suspension and handling, but they can indirectly affect braking performance.

While bad struts themselves may not be the sole cause of vibrations during braking, they can indirectly contribute to braking issues by affecting tire wear and suspension alignment. Thus, repairing or replacing bad struts is essential not only for a smooth ride but also for maintaining optimal braking performance.

Wrapping Up the Article:

In conclusion, bad struts could be the culprit when your steering wheel shakes. Though not the only cause of the problem, these struts play a significant role in making your ride comfortable and safe. After knowing about the mentioned signs of bad struts, you can address the issue timely.

So, if you feel the steering vibrations while driving, don’t take them for granted; fix the struts for a smooth, comfortable, and stable ride.