Wobbly tire on car [5 common causes]

Why wobbly tire on car? Have you ever been on the road and noticed weird or abnormal movements in your tire, or have you observed that your tire shakes abnormally when you slow down?

If you have experienced such an issue, and you are looking for an effective solution, you have come to the right place. The causes and solutions to this frustrating issue will be explained in detail in this article.

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The possible causes

Tire wobbling is very common in cars, especially old ones, several factors can cause such situations, the possible causes are explained below.

Wheel imbalance

Wheel imbalance is a very common issue and is a possible cause of wobbly tires, the issue is usually neglected until it leads to a much bigger problem like a punctured tire, leaving you stranded.

Several indications in the vehicle will show that your tires are not balanced, noticing indications like this and dealing with them promptly is important to avoid more complicated scenarios. 

Your car’s steering wheel vibrates or its tires’ tread disappears to alert you that something is wrong somewhere. Low tire pressure is one of the common causes of this scenario, tire pressure is frequently reduced in the winter months because the cold air tends to condense the air.

 Proper tire weight is essential for tire balancing and security in the wheel assembly, so too much weight on a tire could also lead to incorrect wheel balancing.

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Tire wear

Wear and tear is a common issue that can make your tires act unusual or shake at the same speed, one of the greatest threats to side walls is curbstones. Frequent collisions can also result in side-wall deterioration. 

Thus, make sure the wheel is in the proper position and the tire is not too large for the car. If the side wall has been exposed to too much sunlight, it may potentially tear. If the threads are affected your tire will shake at the same speed and you may need to get new tires.

Heel wear is also a very common issue, it occurs when one side of the tread block wears down more quickly than the other radially. 

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Suspension issues

Faults in suspension components can also affect the tires, when your car pulls to one side, it may be an indication that there is a suspension issue. 

The alignment of your car may be impacted if one or more of the suspension parts are destroyed or not working properly. 

But your car tugging to the side might not always be the result of broken parts, you might also experience pulling if your wheels aren’t aligned.

Bent wheel

A bent rim is easily identified by shakiness and rumbling that travels up the steering column. Your tire will make inconsistent contact with the road surface if the rim is deformed or damaged. This ultimately results in “shakiness” during operation.

Warped brake rotors

The rotors are essential parts of the braking system and they can affect the tires if they get faulty. Warped rotors lessen the vehicle’s ability to brake.

Ultimately, you’ll realize that stopping becomes more difficult. If the brakes on your car have an ABS, it will engage the brakes more frequently. The ABS brakes will apply force to stop the car even if you apply the brakes at a slow speed.

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Flat spotted tires

When using a tire that has a flat spot, you might hear a bumping sound. There can be a thumping sound that is rhythmic as the flat spot hits the road surface.

Issues usually lead to separated tires, and having a separated tire is a very serious safety issue, and it won’t be a surprise if the tire blows.

Brake lockup is the most common cause of flat spots. If your anti-lock brakes you probably won’t experience such issues.

Transmission issues

Problems with the drive line and transmission can also result in tire issues. A lack of power transfer from the engine to the wheels can be caused by issues with driveshafts, differential parts, worn or damaged CV joints, or other issues that lead to your tires acting weird.

I recommend seeking advice from an expert who can conduct a comprehensive examination and provide an accurate diagnosis if you suspect problems with the drive line or transmission.

Wheel alignment issues

Because your wheels are often positioned exactly parallel to one another, your tires can distribute the weight of your vehicle equally, and it could lead to complicated problems if your wheel alignment is wrong.

Cupping may occur in a wheel if the weight isn’t distributed uniformly throughout it, causing some tread to press harder on the road, in some scenarios you may see the tread pushing away from the tire, you may prevent this by getting regular tire balance and wheel alignment.

What to do if you have wobbly tires

If your car shakes or you notice that your tires are behaving weirdly or wobbly, you should let the vehicle slow down and avoid driving the vehicle, as it can lead to tire failure and even more severe scenarios.

Wobbly tires are a serious issue that cannot and should not be handled personally, I recommend getting the help of a professional as fast as you can.

Rear wheel misalignment is one of the most common causes, if this is the case a four-wheel alignment on your front-wheel drive car is the only solution to get your tires balanced and make your wheels spin true.

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FAQ

Why does my car tire feel wobbly?

Your tires acting unusual or wobbly can be due to several issues, including misaligned wheels and transmission issues.

Why is my car wobbling while driving?

Several issues in your car can make your tire wobble or act weird, this issues include tire wear and flat spots.

Can a bad wheel bearing cause wobble?

Yes, a faulty wheel bearing is a possible cause if you notice your tire wobbling or acting weird.

How do you fix a wobbly car wheel?

If you have a bad tire or your car shakes due to wobbly tires, you will have to replace them with new tires in most cases.

Why does my tire feel wobbly when I drive slow?

If you notice that your tire acts unusual anytime you slow down, you most likely have a bent wheel.

The bottom line

Countless issues can occur within your vehicle and lead to tire issues, if you notice such issues park your car immediately and avoid driving it to prevent complicating the issue, then consult a professional immediately.

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