Any thoughts on front end problem? (Fiesta)

[BMR]

I have a 2005 Fiesta Zetec S TDCi.

In the past few months I've noticed a wobble in the steering wheel, this can be from 40mph upwards (gentle wobble) to quite a violent shake at higher speeds. It doesn't do this constantly, it can seem to die down a bit now and again.

Coupled with this I noticed both front tyres seemed to be wearing out in the centre only. I checked the pressures with a couple of different guages and there was 32psi in each. I've tried 30 in each but this hasn't made any difference?

Any ideas what could cause the vibration and strange tyre wear? Tracking perhaps?

[FWDRacer]

Try wheel balance. Swap front to rear as a start. Get the current front wheels rebalanced too. Jack the car up and spin the front wheels - are they buckled? If the wobble persists afte those checks it is more likely the issue is in the driveline (driveshaft or CV joint).

[roscozs]

There have been two or three of these with this problem through our workshops and we reckon the alloy is quite soft and the rim distorts. The problem can go away if you swap the wheels fron to back.

[BMR]

Thats interesting to hear - assume you work for Ford roscozs. Question though if the alloy is distorted shouldn't it do it all the time? Think they are Borbet made rims which I believed to be strong.

I've swapped the wheels front to back a few times. Generally when I get new tyres, put the new ones on the front.

I've stolen the front steel rims off my mums Fiesta Finesse. Took it for a quick spin tonight and it feels better although there is a vibration under braking - warped discs perhaps? Could be a contributing factor?

Will wait and see what it feels like on way to work tomorrow, get a good few miles going at 70.

[BMR]

Trip to work was the best in a while. No vibration like what it was before.

However there is still a slight wobble from about 40 upwards that isn't there at 70. I'm tempted to put some new discs on it then deal with the wheels after that.

Edited by BMR on Tuesday 7th July 09:23

[roscozs]

Ah right, I didnt read the post properly, didnt realise it wasnt all the time. With the wheels off your car take them to get balanced. If they dont balance theyre not round. If the discs are warped it could cause slight vibration but usualy only under braking.

Edited by roscozs on Tuesday 7th July 18:43

[BMR]

Is balancing something that can cause the intermittant vibration?

Question though, why take the wheels off the car to take them to tyre place ??

Edited by BMR on Tuesday 7th July 21:13

[roscozs]

Sorry, I thought you said you had your mothers steel wheels on your car. Just means that they dont have to take your own wheels off to balance them. If a wheel isnt balanced you will generaly start to feel the effects at about 30+ mph and the wobbling will increase with your speed. But its strange that the wobble goes away and then comes back again.

[BMR]

No worries she had my alloys on her Fiesta for a day.

I will need new tyres before my MOT (couple of weeks away) so may as well leave it till I get new ones on.