12 replies to this topic

[redrabbit]

Bought a Y reg focus at the weekend - 77K mileage and seems solid so far, very pleased.

I noticed today, as I got from 70mph+ the car started to shake more.

As if I was travelling over uneven ground (I wasn't). The steering wheel shook loads too.

I haven't yet checked the tyre pressure but will do.

What other possible causes are there? Can only think of vehicle tracking myself...

[b1g_dav3]

Lost wheel weight, buckled alloy or tracking are my bet.

[redrabbit]

Tracking I know is cheap - like £30 for it to be done.

How expensive are the other options?

[b1g_dav3]

Wheel weights... depends on where you go, how busy they are, etc. I've never been charged yet for wheel balancing from my local Kwik Fit. Buckled alloy... if it can be weighted then same as just balancing, but if it can't, price of a new wheel and chances are a new tyre if it's bad and led to the tyre deforming.

[Lenny]

Bought a Y reg focus at the weekend - 77K mileage and seems solid so far, very pleased.
I noticed today, as I got from 70mph+ the car started to shake more.
As if I was travelling over uneven ground (I wasn't). The steering wheel shook loads too.
I haven't yet checked the tyre pressure but will do.
What other possible causes are there? Can only think of vehicle tracking myself...

Sounds like a buckled wheel or blister on the face of the tyre causing wobble,
Tyre specialist will tell you within 5 minutes the exact problem,
Ford will charge up to 250 pounds for an alloy rim depending on your style/size
If your rolling on steel rims it would be less,
If interested I'm currently selling a perfect set of 16" snow flake alloys with two new front michelin tyres,
http://www.fordowner...ocking-nut-set/

[Helmetvonspit]

check your tyres too see if they are mis shapen/bulb in the wall, i had this once it was on the inside of the tyre.

[Calcutt26]

I have had the same problem, during the winter i hit a curb quite hard with my drivers side wheel, so much so when i took the wheel off it had buckled. So whenever i got up to about 75-80 my car and steering wheel would shake.

 

I went to the scrap yard and paid £20 for a steel wheel and a second hand tire, fitted it and now its fine!

 

Hope this helps

[redrabbit]

Well I checked my tyres.

 

The driver's side tyre on the front is badly worn on the inside.  If I turn the steering wheel so I can see the inside, it's basically bald.

 

I guess this means the tracking is probably off, causing the car tyre to be worn more in that area?

 

Unfortunately the car didn't come with locking wheel nuts so I probably have to try to source some elsewhere.

 

Thanks for all your suggestions, I'll try to solve the shaking.

[b1g_dav3]

That's either tracking or a buckle. Hopefully the tracking.

[The Bear]

I had exactly the same shake through the steering wheel between 70 and 80. Went and had the wheels balanced today. £12 for all four wheels to be balanced (just that - no new tyres purchased) and that's sorted it.

 

If you have severe uneven wear (like it sounds you have) you should get an alignment done.

 

I've always used this place...

 

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/

 

The guy in the pic on the right is Tony, the head poncho. He really knows his stuff

 

Finally (if I've read your post correctly) you don't have your locking key nut.... any tyre place worth their weight will be able to chisel them off and you can either replace with normal lug nuts or buy a new lock kit. I got mine off myself... hit it with a bolster, knock it round with a punch

 

HTH

[b1g_dav3]

Can usually pick up a nut remover kit for £20 which isn't bad either, I have myself a set.

[Foci_st3]

Just go to an indendant tyre depot and get the wheels checked for balance, buckles, misshapen tyres. Shouldn't cost any more than £7.50 a wheel.

[redrabbit]

Thanks - that's hugely helpful.

I may go to the national tyre centre near me. They do tracking for £30.