Hello

Welcome to the forum.

Multiple vehicle components could be the culprit, especially with a 13 year-old car. How many miles are on it?

Diagnosing the problem can be time-consuming. You should have the following parts inspected by a good mechanic. Remember that ignoring the problem for a long time could result in premature wear and tear on various other elements.

Misaligned Tires

It’s one of the most common reasons. The symptom of this problem is shaking of the wheels at around 50 mph and becoming worse at around 60 mph. However, it will decrease when you speed up. The best way to avoid it is to check the tires regularly for the correct inflation and alignment.

Unbalanced Wheels

Misaligned, damaged, and low-quality tires can lead to the imbalance of the wheels. When it happens, it causes excessive shaking of the steering wheels and sometimes the entire car. Low-profile tires with uneven treads are likely to be the culprit in most of the cases. What’s more troubling is that ignoring it will lead to damage to the struts, shocks, tread, and a number of other parts in the suspension and steering mechanism.

Suspension Issues

You can pinpoint the trouble on the suspension if the steering wheel shakes at high speeds or when you maintain a particular speed. Such shaking normally occurs from corroded parts, worn out shocks, loose connections and imbalance of the driveshaft.

Brake Problems

Plenty of brake issues could cause the steering wheel vibration. If it shakes when you are slowing down the vehicle, you should check for bad brake discs, loose connections, damaged shocks, and worn brake pads. Obviously, there might be other brake problems that could create the symptoms. On the other hand, if the vibration arises at the time of pushing the brake pedal, you should look into the brake rotors. The brake caliper is another part to investigate when the steering wheel shakes at high speeds. If the brakes are the problem, the faster you drive, the worse the vibration will be and you will get a burning odor when stopping your car.