Issues With Mk7 Fiesta - Any Help?

[Kendo88]

Hi guys, first post here, wondering if anybody can help me out a little bit.

Firstly, I had my second year service on my 09 fiesta titanium yesterday, I was told I needed my front tyres replacing as one is below legal limit and the other is close. Fine, seems a bit soon, but whatever. After collecting the car, the very first thing I noticed was that the car was really pulling to the left, and I had never had a problem like this before, so I took it straight back, but it was too late in the day for them to have a look at it.

So I dropped it back to them this morning, they looked at it for about 2 and a half hours, before finally coming back and saying, from what they have looked at, it's all ok, alignment and such. So they said I should have a geometry check, suggesting that maybe i have hit a pot hole or curb and damaged something, but they dont have the equipment anymore for it apparently, so recommended a place near by, but suggested that when they did have the equiipment the used to charge £180 (2 hours labor) for such a task!

The second problem is the suspension. It makes a very noticeable clanging noise when hitting those small harsh speed bumps, and it just doesnt feel like its going over them properly at the front. At last years service they retorqued the suspension bolts? (maybe), but only fixed the problem for a week or so, so they looked at it again this year and lubricated the bushes, but this didn't help. So they also looked at that today, but the bloke was telling me how there is nothing visibly wrong with it, and the sound is normal for hard suspension and that I have nothing to worry about.

So after this service, which cost £380 all together, the car is probably now worse off, as it just pulls to the left all the time, and I must now go and pay even more to have a geometry check.

Could anybody shed any light in either issues, and if they are correct on them. I would understand having to pay to repair something that is my fault (damaged from pot hole etc.), but they can't even be sure of that.

Is strange I have never noticed the pulling before, he said that's because one of my tyres was worn more than the other, and now that i have matching tyres, it makes it very noticeable.

Any help appreciated guys

[PumpkinSteve]

Try going to http://www.alignmycar.co.uk and entering your postcode to find a local place that uses the Hunter Alignment setup, it will digitally check every part of your suspension (not just alignment but camber angles etc.) and look for issues. I've had this done on my car and it didn't cost much, £10 or £20 I think, at least then you will know if there is something wrong...it does sound like there may be a problem if one tyre is wearing down fast despite the alignment being correct.

[kabz77]

If you're hearing 'clunking' sounds when going over speed humps could it be anything to do with your 'bump stop'? Its a rubber bush thats housed on top of the suspension. And if you're getting one tyre wearing out quicker it could be one side of your wish bone is knackered. Just so you're aware if you have a low suspension set up and live in an area with loads of speed humps like I do be prepared to get worn bushes quicker than others. I've upgraded my bushes to the Powerflex type but please note these make your ride a lot more hard.

Oh by the way you've got Puma Build based in Birmingham, they know everything about Ford cars, you might want to pop down to them for your next servicing and any future repair work - it sounds like your local place might be ripping you off.

Good Luck

[Mark M.K]

The sounds your getting could be related to the Anti roll bar struts. I had the same problem on my first MK7 Fiesta.