Hi all, Pete here.

Just got back into the world of Fords after a foray into Land Rovers. Picked up a 2009 1.6 focus estate which I'm generally very pleased with, although it's not so simple to work on as a Landy. Couple of minor things have been bugging me though.

When first driving off, there's a distinct 'clunk', usually when changing from first into second gear. Have read that this might be something to do with the ABS self-testing and nothing to worry about? But thought I'd check.

Secondly, when turning right quite hard (e.g third gear round roundabouts) there's a metallic-sounding scrape from somewhere near the front left corner- as if something's rubbing on something else or on the road. So far the possible causes I've come up with could be wheel bearings or engine mounts. Had a look around the front suspension and nothing appears to be rubbing. I've been driving a clattery old 90 for four years so not sure what sort of noises an ordinary 8-year old car should make anymore!

 

Check your brake pads/discs on that corner, I know your not braking, but had a similar noise on my old Mondeo, and it turned out to be low brake pads/ discs.

Is there a noise when you're braking?

The abs self test happens when you reach 10-15 mph and sounds worse if you're turning when it happens. It will only happen once every ignition cycle.

Hi Welcome

20 hours ago, wilto said:

Check your brake pads/discs on that corner, I know your not braking, but had a similar noise on my old Mondeo, and it turned out to be low brake pads/ discs.

Is there a noise when you're braking?

The brake discs look fairly worn actually, though the pads have plenty of material. I'll experiment with braking and turning to see what happens. Just braking in a straight line there's no noise.

Are your wheel nuts tight.

 

I've been looking more into this and ut sounds like it might just be the ABS/ESP cutting in. This is the first car I've owned with such a system so don't know if it's normal. Wouldn't expect it to cut in so easily though? Brake discs look a bit worn so that may be contributing to the noise? 

Going to check exhaust mounts/heat shields too and see if they're as they should be.

if ABS or the ESP detects anything funky from the sensors at the wheels, then it can send the system in to a wee fit.

If you have forscan and an ELM 327 device you could monitor the ABS system and see if any of the sensors are miss behaving.

the ABS system on this car is insanely loud, ive never seen anything quite like it, If you turn the car on, turn the wheel full lock and accelerate, it will sound like the engine has fallen off a mount

23 hours ago, Dee_82 said:

the ABS system on this car is insanely loud, ive never seen anything quite like it

You hear with your eyes?

10 hours ago, mjt said:

You hear with your eyes?

haha, yeah was hoping no one noticed that

Hi Pete

 

welcome to the ford family, The fellas on here are graet and we all try to help one another out the best we can, 

 

Yes as others have said the clunk at start up is 100% Normal and is just the ABS test,

 

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I've been looking more into this and ut sounds like it might just be the ABS/ESP cutting in. This is the first car I've owned with such a system so don't know if it's normal. Wouldn't expect it to cut in so easily though?

The other issue does sound like its just the ABS/Transction control kicking in but do check the brakes on that side as others have said just to be sure and I would also check the tyre pressue as if the grip or tyre pressure od off it may cause that sisde to set the system off. Also does it only happen when turning the one way? The system does detect any little ford of slippage and sets off I found anyway but I do think its a great system for day to day driving. Better it works than doesnt lol!

37 minutes ago, sonic113 said:

The other issue does sound like its just the ABS/Transction control kicking in but do check the brakes on that side as others have said just to be sure and I would also check the tyre pressue as if the grip or tyre pressure od off it may cause that sisde to set the system off. Also does it only happen when turning the one way? The system does detect any little ford of slippage and sets off I found anyway but I do think its a great system for day to day driving. Better it works than doesnt lol!

It's certainly more noticeable when turning right but that's probably due to there being more right-hand turns such as roundabouts. At speed if you twitch the wheel on an empty motorway there's a momentary noise.

The brake discs are quite worn and really need replacing anyway, so going to see if that helps but it sounds like a noisy system anyway. Not used to cars that make that sort of noise and not have something about to fall off!

18 hours ago, Wookie Monster said:

It's certainly more noticeable when turning right but that's probably due to there being more right-hand turns such as roundabouts. At speed if you twitch the wheel on an empty motorway there's a momentary noise.

The brake discs are quite worn and really need replacing anyway, so going to see if that helps but it sounds like a noisy system anyway. Not used to cars that make that sort of noise and not have something about to fall off!

Try changing the brakes first and see if that does anything. If it diesnt come back and we can help investigate a little further.