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Steering Wheel Vibration at Highway Speeds on 2017 Q60 Red Sport

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 22, 5:06 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Hey everyone,

I'm experiencing a pretty significant steering wheel vibration on my 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400. It starts around 60-65 MPH and gets worse as I go faster. It's not constant, sometimes it's really bad, other times it's just a mild shimmy.

I recently had new tires put on about 5,000 miles ago, and they were balanced at that time. I've checked the tire pressure, and it's all good. The car has about 70,000 miles on it.

Could this be a re-balancing issue, or something more serious like a bent rim or even suspension related? It's making highway driving quite uncomfortable. Any advice is appreciated!

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 5:06 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Steering wheel vibration at highway speeds is a classic symptom that can stem from several sources, primarily related to your wheels, tires, or front suspension components. Given your recent tire replacement, that's a good place to start.

Common Causes of Steering Wheel Vibration at Speed:

  • Wheel Imbalance: Even new tires can lose their balance weights, or the initial balance might not have been perfect. This is the most common cause of vibration felt through the steering wheel.
  • Bent Rim: Hitting a pothole or curb can bend a rim, causing an imbalance that no amount of balancing weights can fully correct.
  • Tire Issues: This could include an out-of-round tire, a separated belt within the tire, or uneven tire wear patterns.
  • Worn Front Suspension Components: While less common for just steering wheel vibration (often accompanied by other noises or handling issues), worn tie rod ends, ball joints, or wheel bearings can contribute to vibration.
  • Brake Rotor Runout: If the vibration also occurs or worsens when you apply the brakes, it could indicate warped brake rotors.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Re-balance Wheels: Start with the simplest and most common fix. Take your Q60 to a reputable tire shop and have all four wheels (especially the front) re-balanced. Request a 'road force balance' if available, as this can detect issues that a standard dynamic balance might miss.
  2. Inspect Rims and Tires: While the wheels are being balanced, ask the technician to visually inspect the rims for any bends or damage, and the tires for any bulges, flat spots, or uneven wear.
  3. Check for Play in Suspension: If re-balancing doesn't resolve the issue, a mechanic should inspect your front suspension components (tie rod ends, ball joints, wheel bearings) for any excessive play.

When to See a Shop:

  • Immediately: If the vibration is severe, accompanied by loud noises, or if you feel a loss of control or stability.
  • Soon: If re-balancing doesn't fix the problem. Ignoring persistent vibration can lead to premature wear on suspension components, wheel bearings, and tires, and can compromise driving safety. A professional can accurately diagnose the root cause.
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