Minor handling tweaks to a mk1 Focus?

[Chris71]

What can be done to alter the handling of a bog standard mk1 Focus? Most of the Focii I've driven have been mk2s so it's difficult to make a direct comparison, but I get the impression the steering feedback isn't as good as it might be and it seems to understeer more than I'd expect. Traction isn't that great if you've got a lot of lock on and it's very difficult to unstick the rear end.

I fitted Kumho KU31 front and rear a few months back so not ready to change the tyres yet and I've got no intentions of going as far as different springs and dampers on my shopping car, but are there any minor tweaks?

I presume the two options are tyre pressures and tracking? The alloys have obviously been curbed, so I wonder if it's running stacks of front toe-in or something? Likewise I might try sticking a bit more air in the rear tyres.

[Chris_w666]

Polyurethane Bushes. Set of Eibach (good enough for ford to offer them as an option IIRC) Lowering Springs. 17inch wheels (lighter the better) with continental sport tyres.

The latter seemed to work for my 1.8 but that was almost new when I bought it, the geometry on the ST170 is different to the other foci but that is a huge improvement on a fantastic chassis. I don't know how much it would cost but comparing the above with changing to a 170 style set up would be a good plan.

[Zad]

Lower the springs by all means, but there is a misconception that harder springs mean better grip and handling. That is fine in perfectly smooth roads, but what can happen in reality is that the wheel skips around rather than following the road. I would go with the poly-bush replacements first and see how it goes from there.

[Chris71]

To be honest I was thinking of something subtler still and a bit more insurance friendly. Litterally just pumping the rear tyres up a little over spec and adding some toe-out or something like that?

[Zad]

I have never known an insurance be weighted after fitting uprated bushes. I don't think I would advise altering toe in/out unless you enjoy buying new tyres. Talking of which, maybe that would be a better way to improve the feel?