Jim Grant's Tech Tips

‘92 Chevy Cavalier, Steering Wheel Shake
Q:  The steering wheel in my ‘92 Chevy Cavalier shakes anytime I go above 55 -what is the problem?

A: The most common cause for a vibration at a specific speed on a vehicle is due to tire balance issues. It is rare that a tire will ever maintain its balance from the day of installation, there are just too many factors, not to mention the damaging the effects of hitting pot holes, curbs and other road hazards. Because the shake is felt in the steering wheel of the vehicle it is likely that one or both of the front tires has a balance problem. If you were to feel a shake in your derriere then the problem would likely be caused by rear tires. Have the tire balance checked, if the technician is doing his/her job, they will inspect your tires for wear, cupping or damage while performing the work. They can alert you to possible dangers (like a bad tire) or lose front end parts. I recommend to my customers to check tire pressure regularly, rotate their tires every other oil change, which should be in the area of 6000 to 8000 miles and have the balance checked every other time 12000 to 16000 miles. One other note, an out of balance tire "will" cause premature wear and failure of shocks/strut, steering and suspension components. Regular maintenance saves you money in more ways than most people realize.