“After hitting a curb, my car started shaking violently at high speeds…”
This is a common complaint from Volkswagen, and in many cases, wheel distortion is the cause of the vibration
. Even a slight bend that is not visible to the naked eye can cause a large vibration at high speeds.
This article clearly explains the causes of vibrations that occur after driving over a curb or stepping hard on a step. It
also summarizes the risks of neglecting the vehicle and important points to check.
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👉Comprehensive summary of causes of poor running
- Common symptoms
- There are four main causes (by structure):
- Cause 1: Bent wheel rim (the most common cause)
- Cause 2: Damage to the inside of the tire (carcass damage, broken belt)
- Cause 3: Deformation or poor adhesion around the hub
- Cause 4: Damage to suspension parts (lower arm bushings)
- Points to check when doing DIY
- Is it okay to drive? (urgency)
- Estimated repair costs
- Related parts that should be inspected at the same time
- summary
- Details of defects by vehicle type
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Common symptoms
- Vibrations started immediately after hitting the curb
- Shaking violently at speeds of 80-120km/h
- The steering wheel vibrates slightly
- Hardly noticeable at low speeds
- Vibration is particularly strong on one side
- Changing tires doesn’t fix the problem
There are four main causes (by structure):
- Bent wheel rims (the most common cause of curb impact)
- Damage to the inside of the tire (carcass damage, broken belt)
- Deformation or poor adhesion of the hub
- Damage to the suspension lower arm
Cause 1: Bent wheel rim (the most common cause)
When does it happen?
- Symptoms begin immediately after hitting a curb hard
- Shakes violently only at certain speeds
- Air pressure is normal
Why do symptoms occur?
While aluminum wheels are strong,
the rim may bend slightly if a strong impact is applied to one point.
Even a slight bend of 1 to 2 mm can cause significant eccentricity at high speeds.
- Vibration
- Steering wheel trembling
- Shaking of the vehicle body
It is prominently shown as.
VWs in particular have high straight-line stability, but are sensitive to wheel bending.
What if you leave it alone?
- Vibration gets worse
- Uneven tire wear
- Decreased stability at high speeds
- In the worst case scenario, cracks may develop.
Cause 2: Damage to the inside of the tire (carcass damage, broken belt)
When does it happen?
- I stepped hard on the step
- The side of the tire was hit
- Only one side shakes excessively
Why do symptoms occur?
Curb impacts not only damage the exterior of the tire, but also the internal structure of the tire (carcass and steel belts) .
If the internal belt breaks partially,
- The tire becomes oval-shaped
- Internal swelling (lump)
- Extremely unbalanced when rotating
This results in strong vibrations at speeds between 80 and 120 km/h.
What if you leave it alone?
- Risk of burst (sudden rupture)
- Risk of losing control of the steering wheel
- Definitely not recommended
Cause 3: Deformation or poor adhesion around the hub
When does it happen?
- The wheel doesn’t go all the way in after the impact
- Even after tightening the nuts, the car shakes when driving.
- Changing tires doesn’t fix it
Why do symptoms occur?
Curb impact,
- Hub surface is slightly deformed
- Hub bolt bent
- The hub and wheel are not in perfect contact
Something like this may happen.
Since centering is critical for VW,
even a slight lack of adhesion can cause vibrations at high speeds.
What if you leave it alone?
- Vibration gets worse
- Risk of bolt loosening
- There is also a risk of the wheel falling off
Cause 4: Damage to suspension parts (lower arm bushings)
When does it happen?
- Only one wheel ran over a large curb
- After that, straight-line stability decreased.
- Vibration and steering wheel movement occur simultaneously.
Why do symptoms occur?
When a curb hits the load is transmitted in the following order: wheel → hub → suspension arm → bushing .
Therefore,
- Slight bend in the lower arm
- Twisted or cracked bush
- Misalignment
This may cause the combined symptoms of vibration and poor straight-line stability.
What if you leave it alone?
- Looseness in the entire suspension
- Increased noise
- Uneven tire wear worsens
Points to check when doing DIY
*Only to the extent that it is possible to do so safely
- Are there any bulges (lumps) on the side of the tire?
- Visual distortion of the wheel circumference
- Difference in air pressure between left and right
- Presence or absence of rattles or clunks at low speeds
- Is the steering wheel center off?
- Wheel tightening
Is it okay to drive? (urgency)
| situation | Urgency | Whether or not driving is possible |
|---|---|---|
| No visual distortion and slight vibration | Medium | High speed is modest |
| Tire has bumps and bulges | Very high | Running NG (immediate replacement) |
| Handle vibrates heavily | high | High speed NG until inspection |
| Accident level increase | Very high | Towing recommended |
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When driving trouble occurs, towing may be necessary depending on the situation.
In such cases, road service or special clauses in your car insurance may be able to cover the cost, so it’s a good idea to take a quick look at your current contract to make sure you’re covered .
If you’re worried that you might not have fully understood the scope of your insurance coverage, you can use a comparison service to check the coverage and premiums of multiple companies at once . Since you can get an overall picture in a short amount of time, many people use this service when it comes time for repairs or inspections.
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Estimated repair costs
| Work content | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Wheel bend correction | 10,000 to 20,000 yen |
| Wheel replacement (used) | 10,000 to 40,000 yen per bottle |
| Tire change | 8,000 to 30,000 yen per bottle |
| Hub inspection and replacement | 10,000 to 30,000 yen |
| Lower arm bush replacement | 15,000 to 40,000 yen |
| Alignment adjustment | 10,000 to 20,000 yen |
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*Early detection of internal damage is the most cost-effective solution.
👉 Summary of maintenance and customization costs and work days at VW specialty store Nile Plus
Related parts that should be inspected at the same time
- Inside the tire (broken belt)
- Wheel rim
- Hubs and hub bolts
- Lower arm bush
- Alignment (especially toe)
- hub bearing
▼List of individual pages about suspension repair and maintenance▼
summary
Typical causes of vibration after driving over a curb include bent wheels, internal tire damage, and deformed hubs.
Even if it’s not visible to the naked eye, it can cause large vibrations at high speeds,
so it’s best to check it early. Internal tire damage in particular poses a risk of bursting, so if you notice any unusual symptoms, be sure to check it immediately.
Even if the symptoms are similar, the cause will vary from vehicle to vehicle.
Even if the same strange noise or malfunction occurs, there may be various causes, such as turbo, belt, or sensor.
If you are unsure, it is best to have it checked at a repair shop.
Details of defects by vehicle type
Even if the “way” of the malfunction is similar, “which model has the most common problems” differs slightly depending on the model.
The following page summarizes the trends by model and common malfunction cases among other owners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can a wheel vibrate at high speeds even if it doesn’t appear to be bent?
Yes, even a slight bend of 1-2mm can cause significant shaking at high speeds. VW wheels are particularly sensitive to centering, so even if they appear normal, they can still cause vibration.
Q2. Can you tell if a tire has internal damage (broken belt or damaged carcass) by looking at it from the outside?
In many cases, it is difficult to tell just by looking at the outside. If there is internal damage, you will experience strong vibrations at high speeds, and if you notice a bulge (bump), the tire needs to be replaced immediately.
Q3. After hitting a curb, the vibration persists even after changing the tire. What is the cause? The cause
may be something other than the tire, such as a bent wheel, poor contact with the hub, or damage to the lower arm bushing.
Q4. Is it okay to drive even if there is vibration?
If the vibration is mild, you can drive at low speeds, but it is safer to avoid high-speed driving. In particular, you should not drive if you suspect that the tire is bulging or has internal damage.
Q5. What should be inspected first?
The top priority is “internal tire damage → bent wheel → poor adhesion of the hub surface → lower arm bushing → alignment.” Early detection of internal damage caused by impact is the most important thing.
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