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Post by tanfies2 on Sept 19, 2014 17:16:29 GMT 1
Car is on a 2003 plate, and I've owned it for approximately 6 months. When first driving the car, I noticed that there was something wrong with the steering. Every imperfection in the road such as pot holes, cracks, cats eyes etc, makes the steering twitch violently from left to right, which is felt through the steering wheel. It's fine when you're on a flat surface like the motorway etc, but murder when using back roads or country roads.
I've been given lots of advice on what this can be, but to date, nothing has made this go away, and my mechanic is also running out of ideas.
1) I've been asked if the alloys and tyres are standard. Yes they are, 16" alloys and 195/50R15 tyres inflated to 29-30 psi. Tyres have been replaced - no difference
2) New shock absorbers front and back - no difference
3) New steering rack - no difference
4) New track rod ends - no difference
5) Tracking and balancing done twice now - no difference
My mechanic has also checked the steering column, and he seems to think its tight all the way through, but says there is no other visible movement. I know this isn't right, as I haven't experienced it with other cars, so somethings being overlooked, or missed. I blame myself for this, as I opted for a low mileage, older car that had been sitting around for a while. Blew a few cobwebs out and all the bearings, bushes started to go etc.
Also, when jabbing on the breaks at a very low speed, you also get the same type of twitch felt through the steering, not as violent when driving, but it's definitely there.
If someone here can help diagnose the problem, or give me some advice, it's be appreciated as I'm running out of patients and money!!
Thanks in advance..
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Post by chippie on Sept 19, 2014 17:33:53 GMT 1
Check the universal joint at the bottom of the steering column...
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Post by Karl on Sept 19, 2014 19:01:02 GMT 1
Hello difficult to pin point on a forum , can you or do you have access to another 2002-2005 my fiesta ?
Suspension and steering components are usually very good on these
From your description I'd be opting to renew the the suspension arms ( only with a known aftermarket brand or oe )
But of course you must have spent a few £££ so far , but sometimes have no other option when you can't pin point it
What where the other parts fitted oe or aftermarket
Wonder if the subframe is out of alignment
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Post by upkeep on Sept 19, 2014 20:17:52 GMT 1
Can you post wheel alignment data and did it have a 4 wheel alignment or only the front?
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Post by tanfies2 on Sept 19, 2014 20:25:22 GMT 1
Check the universal joint at the bottom of the steering column... I believe my mechanic has checked this, and says its fine. Would have thought if there was any play in this, you get twitching on the wheels, but not the steering? |
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Post by tanfies2 on Sept 19, 2014 20:27:32 GMT 1
Can you post wheel alignment data and did it have a 4 wheel alignment or only the front? I don't have this sorry |
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Post by chippie on Sept 19, 2014 20:39:01 GMT 1
Check the universal joint at the bottom of the steering column... I believe my mechanic has checked this, and says its fine. Would have thought if there was any play in this, you get twitching on the wheels, but not the steering? Ok, the reason I suggested this, was I had a similar issue with an 89 plate job, where yhe vehicle would veer to one side erratically. Quite scary when it happened...the joint wasn't worn as such, it was dry, where the lube had gone is anyones guess....After changeing the u/j, the car was completely different. Subsequently found out from another mech, it was a known issue.... |
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Post by tanfies2 on Sept 19, 2014 20:40:34 GMT 1
Hello difficult to pin point on a forum , can you or do you have access to another 2002-2005 my fiesta ? Suspension and steering components are usually very good on these From your description I'd be opting to renew the the suspension arms ( only with a known aftermarket brand or oe ) But of course you must have spent a few £££ so far , but sometimes have no other option when you can't pin point it What where the other parts fitted oe or aftermarket Wonder if the subframe is out of alignment I know the subframe has been off recently to do the steering rack, but the twitching was there before this, and was exactly the same afterwards. By the looks of it, the car has had a light damage at the front at some point, my mechanic said it's had a wing, bumper and new light. He checked all the geometry and said everything looks as it should. Even the original spark plugs were in place when did a full service. One thing I didn't mention, is that there is a slight problem with, what seems, the left diff. There is a clicking / chattering noise when breaking from 30Mph down. It hasn't been addressed yes, but i'm wondering if there is play in the diff, will it effect the steering? |
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Post by tanfies2 on Sept 19, 2014 20:44:40 GMT 1
I believe my mechanic has checked this, and says its fine. Would have thought if there was any play in this, you get twitching on the wheels, but not the steering? Ok, the reason I suggested this, was I had a similar issue with an 89 plate job, where yhe vehicle would veer to one side erratically. Quite scary when it happened...the joint wasn't worn as such, it was dry, where the lube had gone is anyones guess....After changeing the u/j, the car was completely different. Subsequently found out from another mech, it was a known issue.... OK, I will bring this up with him at the weekend, however, I don't get any erratic veers or pulls to either side, it's just the steering that is very twitchy. The more uneven the road, the worse it is. What I didn't mention before, is that I have a prob which is possibly the left diff, I get a clicking / chattering noise when breaking from 30mph down. I'm wondering if there is play in this, it would affect the steering? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2014 20:42:16 GMT 1
Are you just relying on this mechanic ?
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Post by studabear on Sept 20, 2014 21:05:11 GMT 1
See if you can get the geo/alignment checked on a hunter hawkeye machine. Various independants have them and a lot of kwik-fit centres.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2014 21:17:24 GMT 1
See if you can get the geo/alignment checked on a hunter hawkeye machine. Various independants have them and a lot of kwik-fit centres. Think he has wasted enough money ,  |
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Post by upkeep on Sept 20, 2014 21:22:04 GMT 1
I don't think it's a waste of money to get a proper 4 wheel alignment done, as this can show up many problems that a set of dunlop gauges will never show you.
Also a vehicle set up correctly can be a transformed car.
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Post by studabear on Sept 20, 2014 21:22:42 GMT 1
Prob get it checked for free at a big company  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2014 23:14:18 GMT 1
I don't think it's a waste of money to get a proper 4 wheel alignment done, as this can show up many problems that a set of dunlop gauges will never show you. Also a vehicle set up correctly can be a transformed car. Yes of cause what was i thinking  |
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