Fiesta steering trouble at high speed

[6eoff]

I have recently bought a 98 fiesta, I have noticed that at high speeds the steering wheel shakes and feels vague. I think it could be the dead spot in the power steering.
Does anyone have this same problem?

[Zad]

Assuming the wheels have been balanced...

Get a garage to put it on the ramps and have the front suspension bushes checked. Ford track control bushes seem to be a "disposable" item and need changing every 2 years. Save money in the long term and get a better suspension by fitting poly bushes instead.

[drogo]

HI 6eoff, and welcome to PH
You say you recently bought this car, could you take it back for them to look at, warranty?


Zad, are we talking track rod ends?
If so, should be cheap to replace.

[dilbert]

Watch out for the steering column UJ too.
They're also a consumable, and failure is not at all pretty.
This is certainly a problem on the MkIII, but it may propogate to later models.

[Zad]

Hmm, I have just looked at the Powerflex site and there is no such bush on the Mk 4 Fiesta (bugger!) It should be where the anti-roll bar goes through the lower control arm.

[6eoff]

Thank you all for the replys, i'll let you know how it goes......

[nightdriver]

Have a check for broken coil springs, worringly common on fords of that age....
May also be a driveshaft getting a bit worn, depends whether it does it all the time of just under load.

[mafioso]

I have exactly the same problem in my KA!!! Good advice guys thanks!

[6eoff]

Thank you all for your advise, the problem was a miss-shapened front tyre! Two new front tyres fix the problem, all is well........for now!