A wheel that is out of balance makes the car shake as speed rises, through the steering wheel or the seat. We balance wheels at the car with the balancer in the van, so there is no garage visit. Biggleswade is about 36 miles in a straight line from our only base at Brent Cross, NW2 (further by road). Call and we will tell you straight away whether we can take the job; if we can, the arrival time is given on the call.
A wheel that is out of balance can cause vibration through the steering wheel or the seat, often at higher speeds, and uneven tyre wear. We balance the wheels at the car: each wheel is taken off, spun on the balancing machine in the van, and small weights are fixed to the rim to even it out. Balancing is done whenever we fit a new tyre, and it can be booked on its own.
It is not the same as wheel alignment, which sets the angles of the wheels. We do not do alignment, so if the car pulls to one side, a garage with an alignment rig is the place for that. Our main wheel balancing page, linked below, has more detail.
If the vibration builds at dual-carriageway speeds and comes through the steering wheel, a front wheel out of balance fits the symptom. If you feel it more through the seat, look at the rear wheels. A lost balance weight or a new tyre fitted without balancing can both cause it.
Balancing cannot fix everything. A bent or cracked rim, a tyre with a bulge or a damaged internal belt, or worn suspension parts can also cause vibration. A bulging tyre needs replacing, not balancing, and should not be driven far. If the car pulls to one side or a tyre is wearing on one edge, that points to alignment, which we do not do; a garage with alignment equipment is the place for that.
A drive or a street with firm, level ground and room to work around the wheel. Private car parks need the owner's permission before a fitter can work there.
Tell us when the shake starts, whether it is through the wheel or the seat, and whether any tyres are new or recently repaired. If the car has locking wheel nuts, have the key ready. The price is given on the call, depends on how many wheels need balancing, and is the same at any hour.
Balancing is part of every new tyre we fit. On its own, it is worth booking when a vibration has appeared after a kerb strike or a pothole, when a balance weight is missing from the rim, or when winter and summer wheels are swapped over and have not been balanced for a while.
Look at the tyre first if the shake started suddenly after an impact: a bulge on the sidewall means the tyre needs replacing, and balancing will not fix it.
Most tyres have small raised bars in the main grooves, called tread wear indicators. When the tread is worn level with them, the tyre is at the legal limit. A 20p coin is a rough check: if the outer band of the coin shows when it is pushed into the main grooves, the tread may be close to the limit.
Grip in the wet falls away well before the limit, so many drivers replace tyres at around 3 mm. Age matters too: cracking in the sidewall or between the tread blocks means the rubber is perishing, even on a tyre with plenty of tread left.
Tell us when the shaking starts and where you feel it: through the steering wheel, the seat or the floor.
You hear what the job involves and the options for your car. Nothing is booked until you say yes.
The fitter comes to your home, your workplace or a safe place to park, raises the car on a jack and does the job beside it.
Before the fitter leaves, the wheel is checked for security and the tyre pressure is set to the maker's figure.
Leave the locking wheel nut key somewhere easy to find, such as the driver's seat or the glovebox, and tell us if the car will be at work rather than at home.
You do not need to stay with the car for the whole job, but someone needs to hand over the keys and agree the work. If the car is in a residents' bay or a work car park, check the fitter can park close to it.
“A pleasure having them come down and save me. Big shout out to Hiwad, really responsive, recommend him to anybody.”
“Had two tyres replaced and was really impressed. Friendly and efficient, job completed quickly. Highly recommend!”
“From start to finish, Hiwad was incredibly professional and helpful.”
These are the neighbourhoods, postcode districts and main roads on record for this area. Whether we can take a particular job depends on the diary and the distance from our base, so the call always decides.
Steering wheel vibration at speed: causes and fixes
A vibrating steering wheel usually points to wheel balance or a tyre problem. Here's how to tell the cause from the speed it happens, and how to fix it.
Wheel balancing vs alignment: what's the difference?
Balancing and alignment are often confused but are two different jobs. Here's what each does, how to tell which you need, and when to have them done.
Bald edges, a worn centre or feathered tread each tell a story. Here's how to read uneven tyre wear patterns and fix the cause before it ruins the next set.
Describe the vibration and when it starts, and the wheels are balanced at the car. The price is given on the call.
