Hello folks

Apologies if this issue has been previously covered.

I've had my Mk4 1.5d ST Line X Focus for about a year now, a few weeks ago I noticed that the steering has become very light, I tend to drive in sports mode and you notice it even more in that mode due to that mode tightening up the steering.

The car was in for an MOT last week and asked them to have a look at it, they said as part of the MOT the steering would be checked and they found nothing wrong with it, I'm still not happy with how it feels, at times it almost feels like you are driving on ice.

I have hit a few potholes and unmarked speed bumps so my next thing is to get the alignment checked, any other suggestions?

What tyre pressures do you have in the front ?

I know the car has just been MOT'd but what condition are the tyres - tread depth and tyre brand ?

 

19 minutes ago, unofix said:

What tyre pressures do you have in the front ?

I know the car has just been MOT'd but what condition are the tyres - tread depth and tyre brand ?

 

32 psi in the front.

Will need to wait until tomorrow to check the brand and tread depth. Car had 12339 in the clock when I bought it, 14330 just now so just shy of 2000 miles over the year

With such low mileage I'd expect it to still be on the factory fitted Michelin's and probably about 4.0mm of tread.

Tyre pressure of 32psi would be correct.

Possibly worth getting the tracking checked if you feel it's really bad.

19 minutes ago, unofix said:

With such low mileage I'd expect it to still be on the factory fitted Michelin's and probably about 4.0mm of tread.

Tyre pressure of 32psi would be correct.

Possibly worth getting the tracking checked if you feel it's really bad.

Yeah think I'll book it in this week to get the front alignment checked....and now comes the part trusting the garage to properly check/align it, suppose if I notice it back to the way it was I know they've done their job.

Is the steering really light?

Or is the car understeering (skidding)?

If it's very light and not skidding you may need a software update in the PSCM

If it's skidding ensure the tyres are good and the tracking is correct

26 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

Is the steering really light?

Or is the car understeering (skidding)?

If it's very light and not skidding you may need a software update in the PSCM

If it's skidding ensure the tyres are good and the tracking is correct

Yes very light but no skidding or anything like that, there is no pulling when driving normally, only time I have noticed a bit of pulling is under breaking and tends to go left a little bit, also no juddering or vibrating on the steering wheel.

If someone else were to drive the car they probably wouldn't notice how lightbitbis but because I was used to the way it was I really notice it.

Car is going in today to have the front wheel alignment checked, fingers crossed this resolves it.

I'd be more inclined to think its the tyres. The weather is now somewhat cooler, the roads are greasy and damp and your tyres are almost 4yrs old.

My fronts on the same car as yours got replaced earlier this year and I was quite surprised at how much out ov shape they really looked once ovv the rim and they still had 2.5mm on them @ 19k miles.

It was also noticed that during colder spells that they seemed to tramline and sometimes felt as though you had a deflated tyre through the feel ov the steering

28 minutes ago, Wino said:

I'd be more inclined to think its the tyres. The weather is now somewhat cooler, the roads are greasy and damp and your tyres are almost 4yrs old.

My fronts on the same car as yours got replaced earlier this year and I was quite surprised at how much out ov shape they really looked once ovv the rim and they still had 2.5mm on them @ 19k miles.

It was also noticed that during colder spells that they seemed to tramline and sometimes felt as though you had a deflated tyre through the feel ov the steering

Don't think it weather related, even a few weeks ago when it was really mild and in dry conditions the steering was light.

Can we trade cars lol? 

My Focus Mk4 1.5L ST Line X has quite heavy steering, even in comfort mode - it's especially tiresome to park, the centering forces are really strong, even at low speed.

Fitted with Pilot Sport 5, steering rack is audibly noisy to turn. More apparent in reverse when you have to make the tighter manoeuvres. Not sure what to do about it yet, never had electric steering so not sure what is normal but the car would be a better daily with lighter steering for sure. 

On 11/20/2022 at 10:52 PM, BigBrisy said:

Hello folks

Apologies if this issue has been previously covered.

I've had my Mk4 1.5d ST Line X Focus for about a year now, a few weeks ago I noticed that the steering has become very light, I tend to drive in sports mode and you notice it even more in that mode due to that mode tightening up the steering.

The car was in for an MOT last week and asked them to have a look at it, they said as part of the MOT the steering would be checked and they found nothing wrong with it, I'm still not happy with how it feels, at times it almost feels like you are driving on ice.

I have hit a few potholes and unmarked speed bumps so my next thing is to get the alignment checked, any other suggestions?

Have a test drive in a Peugeot 205 GTI, then you'll be thanking your lucky stars for having power steering in the first place!! Those things made you learn first time parking really quickly!!!

 

Good luck finding a resolution to your ailment! 😉