Is Your Car Vibrating?

Top Causes of Vibrating in Cars

If you like going into an auto repair appointment informed, here are some potential causes of a car vibrating and things to look out for to potentially help identify which problem you have.

Tires & Alignment

Your tires and tire balance will be the first place a mechanic will check because it’s the most common and simple cause. If your tires are out of alignment, you’ll notice issues with steering and your car may vibrate when driving. This vibration will be fairly constant and consistent when driving, meaning it won’t fluctuate too much when you accelerate, brake, or turn your car.

Problems with Your Transmission

This will cause vibration whenever the engine is running, not only when you are driving. Typically, this will indicate a bad transmission mount or a broken fan, depending on your car. Most cars have fans that only run when your engine temperature is high enough, so you will only notice the vibration at that point. If you suspect the vibration is due to a necessary transmission repair, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with a mechanic.

Related Article: Common Transmission Problems

Parts of Your Drivetrain

The next place to look when you feel your car vibrating is your drivetrain. There are a few different parts that can cause this problem.

A Worn-Out U-Joint

Within your drivetrain, U-joints connect the transmission and differentials to the driveshaft. They’re typically secured by needle bearings that will wear out over time, especially if they are under-lubricated. When the needle bearings holding the U-joint in place wear out, the ends will bounce around, causing vibration. This car vibration will be most pronounced when first accelerating or braking and can also indicate a problem with your differentials.

A Bent or Out of Balance Driveshaft

When a driveshaft is installed, it will also be balanced to ensure it’s correctly oriented with the connecting parts of the drivetrain, such as U-joints. This is typically thought of as a one-time service but the weight can get thrown off over time, especially if your car is over thirty years old. If your car is older, you may need to get your car’s driveshaft re-balanced if you’re experiencing vibration when driving.

If you have a two-piece driveshaft, installing a new center bearing can also throw off the balance of your driveshaft and cause vibration. The center bearing connects the two parts of your driveshaft and it’s possible there was a shift in the orientation of the two driveshaft parts during installation.

Problems with Differentials & Differential Oil

Long story short, if you have a problem with one or more of your differentials, it can snowball into problems with other parts of your car. If you have either of the above problems with your drivetrain, it’s likely you need to get a differential repair done as well. And if you’re noticing a rumble or whine in addition to the vibration, definitely get your differentials checked.

Just like your engine and transmission, your differentials have oil that lubricates inner parts. When that oil level is low or the oil has become too dirty and contaminated, it will cause extra wear on the parts within the differential. This will lead to whining within the differential and can also cause more strain on connected parts, such as U-joints, that could potentially lead to vibration.

If you have a Limited Slip Differential (LSD), putting the incorrect fluid inside can cause vibration in addition to damage within the differential. So if you’ve recently had your differential serviced, make sure the correct fluid was used.