With the changing of the seasons, it’s once again time for drivers in Guelph to be on the alert.
We’re not taking about winter giving way to spring; we’re talking about the annual arrival of pothole season. Every driver in Guelph knows where to find a local road containing more holes than the average golf course. Drivers who are holding onto a shaking steering wheel know the consequence of having driven into one of those holes over the winter.
“It doesn’t take much,” said Vince Klimkosz, owner of the two locations of Vinnie’s Mr. Fix-it in Guelph. “You hit a pothole at the right speed and you’ve got a bent rim or a blown tire. A bent rim could easily be the cause of a steering wheel shake. You can get a shifted belt on your tire that will cause the wheel or the whole vehicle to shake at slow speeds when you’re driving.”
Even with the best designed suspension system there to absorb the impact, a vehicle can very quickly wind up with a shake or shimmer in the steering wheel if driven over road debris or a pothole. A consistent shake in the steering wheel is a definite sign that something isn’t right according to Klimkosz, especially when the car is being driven at high speeds.
“When you’re hitting the brake at a highway speed and the wheel shimmies a lot of times that indicates warped brake rotors. Maybe they have just gotten too hot and warped or they’re just worn down and need replacing. This can cause shakes.”
Klimkosz says that the moment a driver feels a shake or shimmy in the steering wheel it’s a good idea to book mechanical service.
“That is definitely time to have a mechanic look at the vehicle, to check the front end and to check the braking system. Get the right diagnosis so you know what the next step is in terms of service.”
Even if there are no signs of bent rims, a radial tire with a broken belt, or issues with any of the multiple parts in your vehicle’s steering or suspension system, Klimkosz said there could still be alignment issues that require inspection.
“With your front end inspection, especially if you have hit a large hole, it wouldn’t hurt for you to have the alignment checked just to make sure nothing is bent or damaged,” he said. “Many shops now have the capability to do a simple alignment check. They just put the vehicle on the hoist. Within minutes you can tell if there is anything bent.”
Continuing to drive any vehicle with a consistent shake in your steering wheel could cause further damage or present a serious safety issue. Don’t take the risk.
Book your appointment today. Visit Vinnie’s Mr. Fix-It online. Or drop by either of their two Guelph locations: 30 Hayes Avenue, or 41 Woodlawn Road West.