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Steering and handling problem................
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10AMG
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Hi all
I'm new to this site and wondered if anyone can help me with a problem i am having lately with my ford fiestas steering. or if anyone has had anything similair. I have noticed lately that the steering is very light and has very little feedback, the steering is also sloopy and i have to turn in a lot sooner than i usually do. I remeber it having very quick and direct steering with a lot of feedback.
the steering also jolts and moves around when going over a pothole or bump.
It s also geting worse by the day
Hoe someone can help me, as the garages and ford dont have much idea without charging a lot to have it looked at. = [
btw have checked p steering fluid and all looks ok.
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Paul H
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Have the tyres got plenty of tread on them, and are they correctly inflated?  2003 '53' Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Sport in Panther Black.
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Dunk
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Track rod ends / cv joints? Common point of wear on the Fez steering - any slackness in these might cause the kind of handling characteristics you describe.  2007 '57' BMW X5, 3.0d SE, 235bhp, 0-60 7.8secs
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Jonniger
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Quote: 10AMG wrote on Wednesday, 3rd February 2010 at 10:49 PM
Hoe someone can help me, as the garages and ford dont have much idea without charging a lot to have it looked at. = [
Paul and Dunk have points, but my view is this: I hate to say it, but if you're severely concerned then pay the money. Steering isn't something to prat about with. If the car isn't holding the road and you rely on what people say who are sitting at the other side of a computer and haven't seen/driven the car you're asking for trouble, and the person who you may or may not careen into may not see the funny side. An independent garage shouldn't charge that much for a quick diagnosis. 
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10AMG
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Thanks for the replys-
My rear tyres did not have much tread left- I swapped them for the front tyres( which had plenty of tread) and strangley enough it feels a bit better??
Dont know if rears have a major effect on steering feel?
Although I have noticed know that my front left wheel wobbles slighty
Dunno if its related
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Dunk
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Wobbly wheels probably need balancing but worst case new hub bearing.
A common misconception of FWD cars is that they have less to do with the rear. As you've found, the inverse is true and cars like your 'steer' from the rear ( weight and balance reasons). You need good tyres on the rear to steer the car around the corner. That said, if your (now) fronts are that balding, now your braking will be compromised. Get them changed and new tyres balanced.
Remember those 4 bits of rubber are all there is between you an the road (and a potential) accident. The legal limit of 1.6mm is still dangerously low. <3mm in most experts opinion is when tyres should be replaced, particularly in winter. Last edited by Dunk on Feb 9 2010, 12:24 PM  2007 '57' BMW X5, 3.0d SE, 235bhp, 0-60 7.8secs
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10AMG
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Good news
Have now had the balding front tyres replaced so now i have four healthy tyres
However the steering is still a bit light- although have heard that new tyres can make it feel lighter anyway.
Not too sure about this since mine is the only one i've driven, but are fiestas known to have quite light steering anyway ?
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10AMG
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alternatively It could be me since i've been driving on tyres with low tread on my car for so long lol.
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Dunk
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Until you wear the release agent off the tyres (between 50-200miles) the tyres might feel a little slippery. Once they're scrubbed up, they should be fine.
Obviously unless there's anything more sinister going on with your suspension. But tyres are always a good first call.  2007 '57' BMW X5, 3.0d SE, 235bhp, 0-60 7.8secs
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10AMG
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You may be right Dunk but unfortunately the steerings gotten worse again.
It deterioates everytime to i go over another batch of potholes- damn potholes!!!
I noticed that the car doent seem to want to lean into corners anymore and just wobbles and floats everywhere- especially when overtaking on fast A roads. The steering feels slower again and im turning more to get corners again. I thought i had this sorted with the new tyres but now its back to its old tricks again.
I think it might be my suspension since theres no play in the steering when still but some play when driving- what does eberyone else think?
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Banjonez
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In my opinion you should get it into a garage ASAP before you cause an accident.
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Dunk
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I'm with Banjonez. Sounds like you'll be upside down in a farmers field before you know it.
Back to my original suggestion around track rod ends / bushes.
But for god's sake - get it looked at by a proper garage. You could end up dead, or worse, someone else dead if you carry on driving it like it.
BTW - the car shouldn't lean into corners. IIRC the Fez was always pretty flat when cornering.  2007 '57' BMW X5, 3.0d SE, 235bhp, 0-60 7.8secs
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Jonniger
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Back to my original suggestion two weeks ago 
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Paul H
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Agreed get it to a garage ASAP, and avoid driving it in the meantime.  2003 '53' Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Sport in Panther Black.
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10AMG
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LOL
Cant believe this. Went to my local garage today. I was pretty sure it was suspension but those of you who said tyre pressure werent far off.
The guy said whoever fitted my tyres fitted on the size tyres- meaning the car was kinda pointing upwards as the fronts were too high profile. not only that he said they had also over inflated them. no wonder it handeled like a tractor!!
DRove home and let some air out of them...... OMG much better- like agifferent car.
Then went the tyre place to have them refunded for the right size. Even Better
The car feels like its actually holding the road- which is a bonus lol
HOPEFULLY this has fixed everything but now i realise how important tyre pressure is.
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10AMG
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*sorry meant to say wrong size tyres
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