Hi guys, I'm new here, so quick run down, the power steering fluid leaked out a few weeks back, seems ok just no power steering, anyway there's been a whining (wheel bearing I guess) so today there's been this extremely loud grinding/clunking noise under the engine, sounds like it's coming from the axle area, now this car has had 4 sets of new tyres in the 1st 2months if owing, (wearing in the inner wheel, both fronts) had the ball joint replaced, had the tracking dine, so basically what can this noise be? 

Wheel bearing or the steering column? 

Also the bonnet has stopped opening with the key,tbe key just turns in the lock.

 

Alsi the oil light never came on when the oil was low, luckily I heard the tappets, upon checking he dipstick absolutely no oil at all. Tihe oil light works in the panel,just didn't alert the low oil. Cud this be a sensor? This is 1st ever focus, all new to me,im extremely familiar with the mk 2 Clios, (there a piece of pi88 to fix) personally I'm a v.dub girl, however the focus is my husband s...

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Mk 2 focus 

Edited October 11, 20241 yr by sin20
Added the oil light

I don't often say this, but I think it's probably beyond financial viability to save this one.

The oil pressure switch detects pressure.  It is not designed to come on unless the oil pressure drops.  As long as there is enough oil in the sump for the pump to pick up and pressurise it past the switch, the light won't come on.

Bonnet locks are rubbish on these.  There is a way you can open the bonnet using a large screwdriver through the grill.  Easier to watch a Youtube video than explain in text.

There are two different types of power steering fitted to the Mk2 Focus, depending on which engine it is.  If it's a full hydraulic system and you've continued to run it without any fluid then the pump will be absolutely wrecked and will eventually seize up and snap the aux belt.  If it's got semi-electric power-steering (EHPAS) then the motor is probably dead by now.

Were the full wishbones changed or just the ball joint?  Usually it's the wishbone bushes that fail on these and allow the wheel to wander.

21 hours ago, sin20 said:

Any advice greatly appreciated

Time to move it on to that big scrapyard in the sky 🙁