Loose or worn steering component

If a steering component, such as a ball joint attached to a steering knuckle, is worn or loose, the vehicle may experience shaking or be pulled to one side. It can also create difficulty in steering, or produce a grinding sound from the wheels when turning.

Table of Contents

• 1. Symptoms
  • 1.1 Vehicle Shakes
  • 1.2 Vehicle Pulls to One Side
  • 1.3 Tires Wear Out Fast
  • 1.4 Wheel Makes a Grinding Sound

Symptoms

Vehicle Shakes

If a steering component is worn, the alignment may be off. This will create a variation in the rotation of the wheel. The spinning wheel will cause the vehicle to shake even on smooth roads.

If the amount of shaking increases with speed, this may be the cause. However, it may be possible that the shaking diminishes while going over a certain speed. The movement of the wheel may be too fast to produce a shake.

Vehicle Pulls to One Side

If the vehicle is pulling to one side, a worn steering component may be to blame. Like with shaking, the alteration of the wheel's alignment can alter the path of the wheel. When driving forward, the vehicle follows the altered path.

Tires Wear Out Fast

Fast tire wear can be the result of a worn steering component. More or awkward pressure may be put on the tire, causing it to wear faster.

Wheel Makes a Grinding Sound

A loose steering component can rub up against the wheel, producing noise. It can occur while driving straight, but during a turn is more likely. While the wheel turns, the loose component does not move as much as it should. The wheel may come in contact with it, producing noise. This sound can be increased by turning the wheels further.