You may be planning to take a weekend driving trip to visit friends in another state, but while driving to a nearby store, you notice that every time you stop or accelerate, your hands begin to shake on the steering wheel. Your car is obviously experiencing vibration problems when driving at low or high speeds. Diagnosing a car's vibration issues is not an easy task. In order to diagnose the problem effectively, pay attention to when and at what speed the vibrations occur.
Check the wheel balance. Crank the wheels over to the steering stop. Look at the inside of the wheel's rim to examine the balance weight. If a weight has come off, this could be the issue of the vehicle's vibration. Note any clear outlines on the wheel rim where a balance weight might have fallen off, to know how much weight is missing. If a shop newly added the balance weight, take it back to the shop for a replacement.
Examine the wheels. Inspect the inside and outside of the rim for any damage. Check if there is mud packed on the inside of the wheel. Examine the tires. If you see any bulges or wear on the tires, this could be the "probable cause" according to the "Popular Mechanics" magazine website. Change any bad tires.
Test-drive the vehicle. If the car vibrates when you accelerate, it could be torque and speed sensitive causing a driveline vibration. Go to a mechanic or inspect the axle shafts to search for any damage to the boots. Check if the boots are intact and see if the clamps hold the boots at each end. Search for loss of lubrication and intrusion of road film. If you do not see any problems, the problem may be somewhere else. If the vibration is unrelated to the torque, shift the car into "Neutral" and accelerate to the problem speed. If the vibration still exists, check for loose motor mounts or driveline issues.
Check the wheel bearings. Jack up the front wheels by subframe to remove the wheels off the ground. Slide jack stands underneath the subframe. Grab each wheel and hold the wheel at the sides. Then hold the wheel at the top and bottom. Try to rock the wheel back and forth. If you feel any looseness, the wheel could be loose or it may have worn wheel bearings.
