Yes, bad shock absorbers can cause the steering wheel to shake.
The following are the top five performances of bad shock absorbers:
Steering wheel vibration
There are many parts inside the shock absorber, such as piston seals and valves. When these parts wear out, fluid will flow out of the valve or seal instead of maintaining a steady flow. This will cause vibration from the steering wheel. If you drive through potholes, rocky terrain or bumps, the vibration will become stronger.
Uneven tire wear
Shock absorbers are all about keeping the tires even and aligned on the road. If the shock absorber is not good, the tire will be uneven. The tires will begin to wear unevenly, which will only make your driving experience more inconvenient, and it will also drive bumps.
Sharp turn
It is very common for drivers to apply the brakes when turning. But if you notice that your car turns suddenly while doing this, then you may have a broken shock absorber. The reason is that the weight of all vehicles is pulled in the direction opposite to the direction of the steering wheel.
Oil spill
There is a sealing device inside the shock absorber to keep the suspension stable. If these seals wear out, the suspension will leak onto the shock absorber. You may not notice this leak, then your vehicle will eventually fail after enough damping oil leaks from the shock absorber. Consider the aforementioned steering wheel vibration as an early warning signal of leakage.
Extended braking distance
A very obvious symptom, a bad shock absorber is slow braking. When you apply foot pressure to the brake pedal, the brake system takes a few seconds or more to respond. This is a clear sign that your shock absorber is likely to be liable. Obviously, you want to solve this problem immediately.