I bought a focus about 2 months ago and it has some strange steering/suspension problems im driving and it will sort of throw me to one side every now and again, it also wanders alot and the wheel feels a bit loose and vibrates at 70 plus( but the balancing is fine). Also general instability. Can anyone help????
2006-09-22 03:53:29 · 13 answers · asked by Vinnie 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It sounds like your steering rack is gone. You can look forward to an expensive repair.
2006-09-22 03:56:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As others have said, you need a accurate alignment and general suspension checkup to make sure something isn't loose or as one brought up from an accident.
The springs do break but more in nothern climates due to salt on the roads... racks can cause a issue but I think it's something else.
My vote is a tire issue... check the tire for any thing not smooth on the tread area...
A tire that is damaged or hasn't been rotated will produce a weird hilly damage on the inside edge of the tire and cause the wondering issue as well as the side to side shake at 70mph (actually as it gets worse, the speed it happens at goes down.. at 70, you'll start feeling it at about 65)
but even tires not damaged can casue issues, even though they appear fine... and balancing don't always fix problems... I've balanced tires and still had to replace them for shaking)
go to a shop and have the things above inspected..espcially the tires
2006-09-22 14:26:16 · answer #2 · answered by gearbox 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd line it up alongside another Focus, if the problem is back and front you may have a badly repaired accident. Check it's the same length and wheelbase as any other Focus. If that all looks ok you may have a major suspention overhaul required. You may have damaged shock absorbers adjoined to springs that are too soft and don't hold the car level. You may well also have problems with the steering rack. Chances are its been driven over a bump at high speed.
2006-09-22 11:51:58 · answer #3 · answered by Bealzebub 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Loose tire/wheel or bad steering or suspension component. If it weren't for the vibration, I'd say it was just the alignment.
Get it checked right away, you could have catastrophic failure and lose control and kill yourself or someone else.
You should also check with the dealer to see if there were any recalls on your vehicle relating to this.
2006-09-22 04:47:09 · answer #4 · answered by CJP 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this problem can be sorted out very easily. You've got to go to Quick Fit or some other company which offers a Dyno test....in my opinion you have got a problem exactly in the balance of the tyres or in the wheel drive axis.
2006-09-22 03:58:26 · answer #5 · answered by fabric1601 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not an expert but it sounds like the steering rack or an outside chance it's just the tracking.
2006-09-22 03:56:44 · answer #6 · answered by philipscottbrooks 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
front road springs are common for breaking on the focus but have also done a few steering racks.
2006-09-22 05:54:06 · answer #7 · answered by chunky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to take it to front end shop and have it checked out real good it sounds like it could be out of alignment real bad and may have some bad struts on it,and they need to check the whole front end out really good on it,if it is doing that bad it may cause you to loose control of it,id get it to a repair shop,,as soon as i could it may have some things wrong with it,that could be serious safety issues,and it needs to checked and repaired as soon as possible,,i own a repair shop,,and it sounds kind of serious to me ,also have them check the rack and pinion unit on it,,what ever it needs id have it done,good luck with it,i Hope this help,s.
2006-09-22 04:05:26 · answer #8 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
return it and get a vw golf
CAR OF THE YEAR!!!! golf
thats what happens when u buy bad brands- go german(not vauxhall)- built quality is top, holds value
when u sell yr ford- u will be sorry
2006-09-22 15:05:21 · answer #9 · answered by dennis s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it new if so take the bloody car back
if no warrenty sounds very much like its been in a smack up and a front ender too
2006-09-22 18:52:57 · answer #10 · answered by witheringtonkeith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋