Just a bit of advice/help if possible.

I have a 60 plate Focus 1.6l ZETEC which has 68k on the clock and is regularly serviced/MOT'd.

Recently I'm getting a load whirring/rattle/chattering noise (difficult to describe a noise online I know) when I corner vigorously to the left. Driving day-to-day its fine, I've no warning lights on the dash, if I bang my boot down hard in first the traction control steps in, cutting the power while the warning light coming on as you'd expect and if I stamp on the brakes the ABS kicks in as you'd normal. It is hard to pin down where the noise is coming from but it sounds like its underneath the car or (very possibly but I'm not convinced) in the engine bay but it is quite loud. If I drive slow and smooth its not there, if I accelerate quickly there's nothing its just when cornering hard on a left bend, junction, coming off a roundabout. 

 

Two local garages don't recognise the symptom but are happy for me to book it in - which I will if I have to - I just thought someone here may have come across the problem and could give me pointers .

 

Ta very much

 

BP

10 hours ago, Black Pearl said:

Recently I'm getting a load whirring/rattle/chattering noise (difficult to describe a noise online I know) when I corner vigorously to the left.

Just a few questions / ideas to try to pin it down a bit:

Does it happen when manouvering slowly (1st gear, or reverse), when on full left lock? That could indicate worn CV joint.

Does it sound similar to normal ABS action? That could be faulty wheel sensor, low pressure in tyre, mismatched tyres, tracking problems, perhaps. Making the ABS kick in.

Does it happen with the ESP (if fitted) disabled? Could be faulty ESP sensor (steering angle, yaw rate)

If it needs some speed, suspect a wheel bearing, possibly on the left side, where the weight is lifting off.

More info might help others recognise a known fault.

Peter.

Thanks for the reply - oddly just about the time you were writing it I was wandering around the car sucking my teeth and giving bits an occasional kick which I think has done the trick....let me explain.

I noticed a very, very low tyre pressure on the offside rear wheel so out came the compressor and all the pressures were checked and sorted - took the car out later in the day not really thinking about it and the noise has gone. Looks like you were bang on the mark with the ABS kicking in because of poor traction on that wheel. I knew the car was riding a bit soft and had meant to check the tyres but never got round to it - I will now and keep an eye on that wheel as its likely a slow puncture. I can still get the noise to appear but I have hit a left hand corner with some serious vigour and it is far, far less intrusive than it was.  

Thanks very much for the reply and I hope this comes in useful for any future queries.

 

Robin

32 minutes ago, Black Pearl said:

ABS kicking in because of poor traction on that wheel.

It is probably the difference in rolling radius, so the wheels rotate a a different speed, and when added to the speed differential while cornering, it made the ABS think there was wheelspin.

On many of these cars, the ABS can be configured to give a (rather crude) tyre pressure warning indicator.

Look for threads about ELMConfig & tyre pressure.

Glad it seems to be fixed!

Peter.