Glendale Nissan Official Blog
Shake, Rattle and (Barely) Roll – Why is Your Nissan Shaking Like This?
By Product Expert | Posted in FAQs, Service & Sales on Monday, June 24th, 2024 at 6:53 pm
It’s a fair expectation to want your Nissan to work as it should while driving. You want your family safe on the road and have peace of mind that your car won’t let you down. However, as reliable as cars can be, things do get shaky sometimes. Literally. Experiencing a sudden strange vibration, rattle, or shaking sensation in your car can be startling and unsettling.
But should you be worried? Let’s have a look at what the problem is and what you can do about it.
Potential Problem Areas That Can Cause Your Car to Shake
Here are some potential problem areas to consider.
Wheel Misalignment
Whenever you fit new tires, you may notice that the mechanic spends a lot of time tinkering about near the front of the vehicle. They are trying to ensure that all the crucial suspension and steering parts are adjusted correctly and that the wheels roll in a straight line when the car is in motion. Now, as time goes by, things can fall out of alignment. For example, this may happen when you strike a curb or hit one of those big potholes on Brand Boulevard. The net result is the vibration that you feel throughout the car, especially in the steering wheel.
Bad Tires
As you know, tires only last a certain amount of time before they start to degrade and need to be replaced. Also, tires do not perform well if they are over or underinflated. So, if your Nissan is shaking, it might be because one of your tires is badly damaged due to either age or improper inflation. Another possibility is that it may have developed a bulge on the sidewall.
Any of these issues can cause significant problems when you’re driving, regardless of whether you’re driving in town or have your car in sport driving mode on Interstate 5. This is quite a dangerous situation as the tire could fail. If your car is shaking, it’s time to pop in at Glendale Nissan and talk to one of our mechanics.
Old Suspension Joints
Various parts of your suspension system are linked together by trick components such as ball joints and tie rod ends. These put up with a lot of wear and tear during everyday driving life and will eventually start to fail. When they do, they won’t be able to perform properly, causing your car to shake and vibrate. You’ll certainly feel this through the steering wheel when you’re trying to maneuver through downtown Glendale or on your drive to Naperville.
Worn Brake Rotors
If your car’s shaking sensation tends to happen when braking, worn brake rotors may be the culprits. These discs are attached to each wheel and sit next to a set of brake pads. When you put your foot on the brake pedal, those pads rub against the rotors to slow the car. Unfortunately, they can warp due to very high temperatures, especially if you drive through a lot of water on a wet Southern Californian day. Warped or worn brake rotors will cause a considerable amount of shaking and vibration when you try to slow down.
Getting Expert Help From our Hoffman Estates Service Center
It can be tough to diagnose these issues yourself, so it’s best if you take the vehicle to our Glendale Heights service center for an inspection. We’ll get to the bottom of the problem and get you safely back on the road in no time. And we won’t charge you an arm and a leg for it. We can even find OEM Nissan replacement parts to make sure your car is good to go for many more miles, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Whether you want to fix your car, buy one, or lease one, we’re ready to welcome you to the Glendale Nissan family.
