10 Most Common Causes of Vibrations On Trucks
We all experience vibrations in our trucks at one time or another. Let’s face it– some of our project trucks are well over 50 years old and things may be getting a little worn. Most of these are problems we can fix ourselves, it’s just figuring out what the problem is.
What are the 10 most common causes of truck vibrations?
- Bad tires
- Bent or damaged wheels
- Unbalanced wheels
- Bent axle or driveshaft
- Brake and rotor problems
- Bad motor mounts
- Engine problems
- Loose steering components
- Power steering problems
- Low profile tires
That is a long list of issues that can cause the vibrations in your truck. Let’s take a closer look at each one and see if we can identify the problem.
Bad Tires
There are a lot of reasons that your tires can be giving your truck vibrations. If one of the four tires has tread separation— this will give it an uneven surface area to roll on and give you vibration. The only fix here is tire replacement whether it be just the one if you can determine which one, or maybe it’s time for four new tires.
If your tires wear unevenly from lack of scheduled rotations or low air pressure, it will give you a vibration. Your best plan of action is to rotate them, keep the air pressure up and hope the wear evens back out.
If your tires roll unevenly because they have become out of round the only thing you can do is replace them.
Tire pressure too low on one or more of the set will give a vibration. Have the pressures evened out to manufacturers recommended PSI.
Sometimes when tires are old they will vibrate from the rubber becoming hard and cracked. These tires will need replaced.
Bent Or Damaged Wheels
Bent or damaged wheels are common problems with trucks and cars these days. Any damage to your wheels from a slight bend to a deep scrape can cause you vibration. A bad bump in the road or a pothole you go through can cause your wheel to easily go out of round.
Runout is a term that describes how when a wheel is spun it can deviate from a perfect circle when it is spun. If they are too far out of round they need replaced.
Unbalanced Wheels And Tires
It’s not always the tire’s fault that gives you vibration, it can be the wheel is not balanced with the tire. When they balance your wheel and tires they add small weights on the inside side of the wheel and tire. Sometimes these can be knocked off or fall off and this makes the wheel and tire out of round and it will vibrate. If thats the case you will need to have your wheels and tires rebalanced.
Bent Axle Or Driveshaft
If you are in a collision you could get a bent axle or a bent driveshaft. With a problem like this the vibration gets worse the faster you drive. Same goes for a bent driveline or a bad u-joint, you will have a constant vibration but it will get worse the faster it spins. You may have to take your truck’s driveline to a repair shop that can check it to see if it is in balance.
Brake And Rotor Problems
You will know you have a bad rotor when the vibration happens when you are braking to a stop. It can be a real strong shudder when you apply your brakes going down a long stop. The brake pads will not get an even grip during braking thus making it shake. When you install new rotors its a good idea to change the brake pads at the same time.
Bad Engine Mounts
Engine mounts (motor mounts) are normally made of steel with rubber cushion in them that mounts where the engine rests. This gives the motor a cushion that soaks up the vibration.
When these motor mounts become worn, the metal is not making a firm brace between the motor and the chassis and the rubber no longer is able to absorb all the vibrations. It will feel like the engine is grinding into the frame. When these become worn to that point, you must change the motor mounts.
Engine Problems
If your engine has a bad miss in one cylinder it can make the whole car shudder and vibrate. This can easily be determined at a mechanic shop on an engine diagnostic machine. Your car is probably in need of a tune up.
Loose Steering Components
There are a lot of steering components on a truck that can slowly wear are as you rack up the miles. This happens slowly over time and you probably wont even notice it happening. All this wearing can cause excess play in the components and cause vibrations. It is recommended you take it to a reputable tire/alignment shop and have them put it up on the rack and see what is worn and get it replaced.
Power Steering Issues
If you are getting shaking or shuddering only when you are turning, the problem is most likely in the steering. The fix could be as easily as topping off your power steering fluid, or a loose power steering belt needing tightened. If neither of those are the problem, you may need to replace your power steering pump.
Extra Low Profile Tires
Lots of people like the look of low profile tires on their cars and trucks. Though they may look pretty cool they could be the cause of your vibrations. Low rolling resistance tires or low profile as most people call them are much harder than most people are used to driving on. They are not as comfortable to drive on simply because they don’t absorb much of the bumps and imperfections in the road.
Final Thoughts
Diagnosing car vibrations in the early stages may seem like its hard to do in the beginning but it may save you from more serious and expensive problems down the road. Not only is it uncomfortable, it’s not super good for you.
The vehicle vibration produces physiological effect on humans. The evidence suggest that short time exposure to vibration causes small physiological effects such as increase in heart rate, increase in muscle tension, long term exposure to vibration causes effects such as disk to spine & effects on the digestive system . . .
Katu U.S., Desavale R.G. and Kanai R.A.
Start with the easiest to see, like badly worn tires or a dent in one of your wheels, and work down the list checking things off as you go. Save the ones you will need to have a mechanic check for last, in case its a problem you can self diagnose and find it first. Vibrations and shakes can be really annoying and it’s hard on your truck so it’s best to not let them go on for a long time. Happy Trucking!
The Tool Box
We all need one of these in our garages and shops to keep our tires properly inflated.
Heres a really nice shop/garage air compressor on Amazon that they will drop at your door.
Related Topics
How much does it cost to get your rotors resurfaced and new brake pads installed? The cost to resurface rotors can vary depending on if you take it to a shop or take them off yourself. The average cost for a brake pad replacement and to resurface rotors is between $235 and $329. Labor costs are estimated between $158 and $200 while parts are priced between $77 and $129. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.
Are farm jacks aka ” handy man jacks” safe to use to lift pickup trucks? Handy man jacks can be safe if they are used properly. The truck to be lifted must be in a very stable configuration with the park brake on and the wheels chocked so that the jack can lift it straight up. The farm jack should not be holding the truck up while it is being worked on. Jack stands should be placed in a solid area under the truck and the truck lowered down onto them.
Sources: Burdzik, Rafał, and Łukasz Konieczny. “Vibration issues in passenger cars.” Transport Problems 9 (2014)
Katu, U. S., Desavale, R. G., & Kanai, R. A. (2003, December). Effect of vehicle vibration on human body—RIT experience
