Focus ST veering problem

[Simon Bags]

Morning People, help please. Had the ST lowered on Eibachs about 12 months ago and since then had all sorts of problems. Main one being that the car (although both top shock bearings have been replaced, wheels have been balanced and aligned - twice, and Ford themselves have given it a clean bill of health on a service less than a month ago) it feels very unstable at the front end. I know the weather is like it is at the moment but this has been going on for quite a while, but everythime a go over a very small mark in the road, the car feels as if I'm driving on black ice.

I've now noticed the steering wheel, when going straight, is off to the left a bit and turning right I get a weird light grinding noise from the drivers side front wheel.

Before I get the original springs fitted, anyone got any clues? Brakes dragging maybe, power steering on it's way out? Anything?

Oh, it's on a '55 plate, 20K miles.

As an aside, anyone know of a really good Ford Guy in the Bristol area?

Cheers everyone, Simon.

[Marcellus]

Simon if you're not already try focussstoc.com lots of guys there very knowledgable on STs!!

Sounds as though it might be the infamous drive shaft issue to me..

[Simon Bags]

Marcellus said:

Simon if you're not already try focussstoc.com lots of guys there very knowledgable on STs!!

Sounds as though it might be the infamous drive shaft issue to me..

Hi Mate, um, yes, part of the stforum, trouble is I've sort of fallen out with admin as I refuse to pay for the privelage of asking a forum for advice and everytime I post anything, it gets moved to a pay only to view section. Ah well, nevermind.

Drive shaft issue? Really? Not heard of that. Best to go visit Ford and ask them to check that really, is it a known issue to them do you think?

Simon.

[Marcellus]

Simon Bags said:

Hi Mate, um, yes, part of the stforum, trouble is I've sort of fallen out with admin as I refuse to pay for the privelage of asking a forum for advice and everytime I post anything, it gets moved to a pay only to view section. Ah well, nevermind.

Drive shaft issue? Really? Not heard of that. Best to go visit Ford and ask them to check that really, is it a known issue to them do you think?

Simon.

Be careful what you say about STOC Admin (coughcough)...... it does cost to run a forum and the £10 it costs could resolve your issue for you!!

(there has been a TSB on it since about April 2006)

[MoonMonkey]

Could be the driveshaft issue. I think there was a recall for early models.

I can't help specifically but I have the same set-up and notice that the ST is very very sensitive to wheel balancing and tyre choice. I have had mine balanced umpteen times and now seems to be sorted.

Another thing to consider is if you've had new tyres on the front, then swap them to the back. Apparantly the esp can get itself all confused.

[Simon Bags]

Marcellus said:

Simon Bags said:

Hi Mate, um, yes, part of the stforum, trouble is I've sort of fallen out with admin as I refuse to pay for the privelage of asking a forum for advice and everytime I post anything, it gets moved to a pay only to view section. Ah well, nevermind.

Drive shaft issue? Really? Not heard of that. Best to go visit Ford and ask them to check that really, is it a known issue to them do you think?

Simon.

Be careful what you say about STOC Admin (coughcough)...... it does cost to run a forum and the £10 it costs could resolve your issue for you!!

(there has been a TSB on it since about April 2006)

What I meant was, STOC Admin Guys are really great, never had a problem with any of them. Dammit.
Thanks for the advice though, just done a search over there and it does sound like I've got that driveshaft problem. Weird noises from the front, all over the place when braking, also a really strange smell coming from front passenger side wheel after doing a few miles (reckon this could be grease or oil going over brakes or something?).

So, can I go into Ford and quote them TSB No. 64 and they'll know what I'm on about?

Simon.

[don kalmar union]

If you are not able to get this problem fixed by a Ford dealer close to home and end up needing to open your wallet I would suggest that you contact the most excellent Volvo dealer in Chippenham, MRG.

The ST has virtually all its components common to the current small Volvo T5s, so there will be nothing that MRG will not recognise. If you do contemplate visiting or calling them speak to Simon Chu, their service manager....they should beat any Ford dealer on their prices and their service is quite exceptional.

Regards, Don.

www.kalmar-union.com

[Simon Bags]

don kalmar union said:

If you are not able to get this problem fixed by a Ford dealer close to home and end up needing to open your wallet I would suggest that you contact the most excellent Volvo dealer in Chippenham, MRG.

The ST has virtually all its components common to the current small Volvo T5s, so there will be nothing that MRG will not recognise. If you do contemplate visiting or calling them speak to Simon Chu, their service manager....they should beat any Ford dealer on their prices and their service is quite exceptional.

Regards, Don.

www.kalmar-union.com

Cheers Don, thanks for info. Something tells me this is gonna cost. Don't really mind as I'm intending to keep hold of her for a while but it's just so bleedin' annoying!!! Will try local Ford who I get on really well with first, and then if they adopt a blank expression then MRG it is.

Simon.

[Simon Bags]

Hi Chaps, quick update, car's booked in for 29th December, at Ford, explained all that was wrong with it, it's all noted, could take a day to diagnose by their techs and then a day or so to order any parts. So, it's going to be looked at. Happier knowing that.

Thanks for all your help on this one, will update you in the New Year, fingers crossed.

Simon.

[Simon Bags]

Update. After Ford looked her over on the 29th, diagnosed not the drive-shafts, but the springs have either not been fitted correctly or they're causing a lot of grief as is. Both wheels rubbing against inner wings so that would be the reason why I get burning smell after a run and the constant veering.

So, took her in yesterday, had original springs fitted back on and now she's perfect again. Sometimes best laid plans of modding a car can go horribly wrong and sometimes best leave an already good car as it is.

Thanks for all your help and advice, been brilliant.

Simon.

[Pkh72]

Sounds like it was a good job you took it in to get it looked at, glad all seems to be sorted now.

[rb5230]

surely you can send the springs back to manufacturer with a note from ford saying they were causing these problems?

[HellDiver]

Odd, Eibachs are normally fitted by Ford as an option, aren't they? I've had Eibachs on many cars, and they've always been excellent. I'm thinking someone either bought or were supplied the wrong springs?

[anonymous-user]

Simon Bags said:

Sometimes best laid plans of modding a car can go horribly wrong and sometimes best leave an already good car as it is.



Simon.

Yep, learnt that over the years!!

[anonymous-user]

HellDiver said:

Odd, Eibachs are normally fitted by Ford as an option, aren't they? I've had Eibachs on many cars, and they've always been excellent. I'm thinking someone either bought or were supplied the wrong springs?

Ford RS springs are made by Eibach. The dumb ass dealer(Ford RS dealer at the time!) fitted springs for a 1.6 not a V6 on my old car, it got lower & lower until it was grounding out!