There's nothing too unusual about a car experiencing minor shaking and shivering from time to time. Often this is simply the result of uneven roadways. Other times, however, it may be the sign that your car is developing more serious problems. If you would like to improve your automotive diagnostic skills, read on. This article will teach you how to troubleshoot two worrisome shaky symptoms.
Steering Wheel Shakes
Everybody has experienced a shaky steering wheel at one point or another. So long as it isn't a persistent issue, you probably don't have anything to worry about. A chronically shaky steering wheel, on the other hand, will only grow worse with time. Eventually it may even make it hard to keep your car under control. Not only that, but it will subject your tires, transmission, and other parts of your car to unnecessary wear.
There are a few principal causes of a shaky wheel. Poor wheel balance is perhaps the most common. This issue is most likely to rear its head during periods of acceleration. Likewise, shocks and struts that are getting on in years can lead to a shaky wheel. So can ball joints with excessive wear, since this will lead to excessive play in the suspension.
Idle Shakes
Some people may only experience unusual shakes when their car is idling. This tends to be caused by a much different set of problems than a shaky wheel. Rather than issues with the suspension or the wheels, shaking while idle tends to indicate engine or fuel system troubles.
One of the most common engine issues that can cause shaking is a broken motor mount. As their name would imply, the motor mounts are responsible for bolting your engine tightly to the chassis. Even a single broken mount will lead to unwanted shaking. This issue is most noticeable in low RPM situations, such as when a vehicle is running in idle.
A fuel system that is out of whack may also contribute to the symptoms of a car that shakes while idle. Here the problem is often the build-up of gunk and grime within the cylinder heads. Dirty or obstructed fuel injectors can also contribute to this issue. These will make it harder to supply your engine with the requisite fuel--a problem that is less noticeable at elevated speeds, when the higher fuel pressure tends to compensate for the partial blockage in the injectors. If the cylinder heads in your engine need to be replaced, contact a company like CHI Cylinder Heads International for assistance.
