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Vibration When Turning

A vibration or shudder that appears only while turning, especially under power, usually comes from a worn CV joint, a wheel bearing or, on four-wheel drives, a driveline bind.

High risk

Have it checked promptly. Worn CV joints and bearings can fail and affect control.

Short answer · Why does my car vibrate when I turn?

In a turn, the driveshafts bend at an angle and the wheel bearings take side loads. A worn CV joint can shudder or click under power in tight turns. A worn bearing can hum and vibrate when loaded. Some four-wheel-drive systems bind and shudder in tight turns if the wrong tyres or a fault are present.

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Safe checks you can do

  1. Note the directionIf it happens only turning one way, the opposite side bearing is often loaded.
  2. Listen for clickingClicks with the vibration point to a CV joint.
  3. Check tyre sizes on 4x4sMismatched tyres can make the drive system bind.

Questions that narrow it down

  1. Only under power?CV joints are typical.
  2. Is there a hum too?A wheel bearing is likely.
  3. Is it a four-wheel drive?Driveline binding is possible.

Possible causes

Listed without ranking. Use the questions above to see which ones fit your car.

  1. Worn CV jointShudder or clicks under power.
  2. Worn wheel bearingHum and vibration under side load.
  3. 4x4 driveline bindMismatched tyres or a fault.
  4. Worn steering partsVibration through the wheel.

Questions about Vibration When Turning

Can I drive with a vibrating CV joint?

Short distances maybe, but a failing joint can break. Have it inspected.

Do all four tyres need to match on a 4x4?

Many systems require matching tyres; check the owner's manual.