Hi all

Looking for some advice. I've got a Titanium X with the oem 18" wheels and 235 40 18 tyres. I'm thinking of going down to 17's as firstly the turning circle is rubbish and the tyre size is not very common. I believe in order to stop the 18's rubbing Ford fitted a steering rack limiter. My questions are how easy is it to remove the rack limiter and if I fit Ford 17s with stock tyre size will this throw my speedometer reading out?

Thanks.

Tyre size 225-40-18 is a perfect alternative for the original 235-40-18 tyres. 225-40-18 also makes it possible to remove the steering rack limiter (which basically only consists of 2 plastic U-shaped washers) without the risk of rubbing. 

If you want to install 17 Inch wheels the prescribed tyre size is 215-50-17 which is also a not a very common (and as a result of this expensive) tyre size. 

Thanks. Been looking for some winter tyres. Can find loads of 2nd hand 17s but very few in my 18 size.

2 hours ago, Wagoneer said:

Thanks. Been looking for some winter tyres. Can find loads of 2nd hand 17s but very few in my 18 size.

Loads on FB marketplace https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/103119296394478/search/?query=235%2F40%2F18 winter&vertical=C2C&sort=BEST_MATCH

Use Shiply to get shippers bidding to deliver them - had a set Aberdeen to Gateshead for £36 

If I fit the 17s and remove the rack limiters do I need to fit thinner limiters or just take the ones off now and put nothing on?

Steering rack limiters are only required (and factory fitted) on vehicles with original 18 Inch wheels or bigger  that have an offset of 55 mm. 

Original 16 Inch wheels, 17 Inch wheels and aftermarket wheels that have a lower offset (for example 45 mm or 48 mm) do not require steering rack limiters. 

 

On the Focus MK3 / MK3.5 the steering rack limiters are configured into the PSCM (Power Steering Control Module which is part of the steering rack) . The steering rack limiters are configured by performing a procedure using the Ford IDS or FDRS diagnostic system. This procedure basically changes the programmed end positions of the steering rack. Officially the installation of steering rack limiters can not be undone and is irreversible. Just removing the plastic U-shaped washers will not be enough to remove the steering rack limiters. 

 

So I would need to remove the plastic spacers and then get ford to reprogramme?

I don’t understand. So if you remove the spacers what will happen when you turn the steering to full lock, will it put the fault code light on?, 

When the steering rack limiters are removed the max position of the steering rack is different from the programmed max position. The result is that the steering assistance will stop working when the steering rack is at its programmed max position. 

Officially the installation of the steering rack limiters can not be undone. There is no procedure to program the PSCM after removal of the steering rack limiters. There are a few possible ways but I suspect that the average Ford dealer does not have the experience or knowledge to do this. 

On 12/8/2019 at 8:14 AM, JW1982 said:

Steering rack limiters are only required (and factory fitted) on vehicles with original 18 Inch wheels or bigger  that have an offset of 55 mm. 

Original 16 Inch wheels, 17 Inch wheels and aftermarket wheels that have a lower offset (for example 45 mm or 48 mm) do not require steering rack limiters. 

 

On the Focus MK3 / MK3.5 the steering rack limiters are configured into the PSCM (Power Steering Control Module which is part of the steering rack) . The steering rack limiters are configured by performing a procedure using the Ford IDS or FDRS diagnostic system. This procedure basically changes the programmed end positions of the steering rack. Officially the installation of steering rack limiters can not be undone and is irreversible. Just removing the plastic U-shaped washers will not be enough to remove the steering rack limiters. 

 

Hi, I have factory fitted 16 inch wheels on my 2015 focus mk3. I am looking to get some 18 inch alloys with 225/40/18 tyres. Will I need the steering rack limiter or can they be fitted directly without fear of rubbing? Also, out of interest, is the steering rack limiter effective without the PSCM programming as I mine won't have this according to your information here. I am quite fond of my turning circle and would rather not compromise it if not needed. I can feel the pain of the original poster 😅

3 hours ago, FOCUS GT said:

Hi, I have factory fitted 16 inch wheels on my 2015 focus mk3. I am looking to get some 18 inch alloys with 225/40/18 tyres. Will I need the steering rack limiter or can they be fitted directly without fear of rubbing? Also, out of interest, is the steering rack limiter effective without the PSCM programming as I mine won't have this according to your information here. I am quite fond of my turning circle and would rather not compromise it if not needed. I can feel the pain of the original poster 😅

I feel I should add that I would like to keep the offset the same (ET50) with 8J (8 inch) alloys 😂

My Focus MK3 has 18 Inch 8 Inch wide wheels with tyre size 225-40-18. My wheels have an offset of 48 mm. At the reart I added 8 mm spacers which resuts in the equivalent of an offset of 40 mm.

My car is lowered 35 mm using Eibach Pro-Kit springs.

48 mm offset at the front.

 

The equivalent of 40 mm offset at the rear.

I do not have steering rack limiters and my wheels have never rubbed. 

 

 

Looks beautiful. Do you think the extra 2mm offset on the front (ET50) will cause rubbing with mine? I.e. are your front tyres quite close to rubbing or do you have a nice amount of space? Thanks. 

There is more than enough space.

Even the original 18 Inch wheels with an offset of 55 mm can be used without steering rack limiters. under normal conditions the wheels will not rub.

Nice one buddy, this has been really helpful. Keep doing your thing!

On 7/1/2021 at 6:09 PM, JW1982 said:

There is more than enough space.

Even the original 18 Inch wheels with an offset of 55 mm can be used without steering rack limiters. under normal conditions the wheels will not rub.

 

Hi JW, 

Great posts thanks, found this forum and your replies in a google search. I have a 2011 Mk3 1.6 Titanium Turbo Manual Estate, it's a great car I love it but have always hated the turning circle and didn't know it was because of the wheel size.

Coincidentally I want to put 17s on for pothole proofing as much as ride quality, do you know someone who can put the steering rack back to the standard? Does make the car harder to park.

I'm also considering an LSD and suspension upgrade. The chassis and engine in these cars are fantastic, so flickable and fun to drive.

I've mapped the 1.6 to the same output as the fiesta ST200, well, a bit more at 207hp which I think is about right for a FWD car without inducing too much torque steer and the dreaded ST axle *****.

It's also a bit less shouty and comes across a bit sleeper, it goes really well and revs nicely.