Hi Guys
Just picked up a 55 Focus Zetec Climate with almost 10000 miles on the clock. Driving home from the dealers I noticed a loud continuous creaking sound from the steering when turning the wheel.
This happens usually at low speed e.g. parking/reversing and the noise is present when I turn the wheel either slightly or full lock to lock.
Its especially loud when the car has been stood overnight and I am driving it from cold the next morning.
The dealer (indepenent,not Ford) have "lubed all the bushes/joints" etc but basically this has had no effect.
I am thinking its the rack and its off to a Ford dealer tomorrow to be looked at under warranty.
Any of you tech guys able to suggest what it could be?
Thanks in advance - I'll let you know what Ford say tomorrow.
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Dangerous having an indi attend to it in case they have done anything that might invalidate the warranty.
I recall similar symptoms on my Mondeo as I drove out of the carpark directly after a service, I went straight back in to the dealership, they had checked the column as part of the service (the colapsable section is preset to a length and can require adjustment) and when re fitting the panel above the pedals they had allowed some foam rubber sound proofing to rub against the column as it turned, five mins later all was well.
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Thanks Cheddar - hopefully they won't have done anything too extreme - either way I only got the car on Tue last so if Ford start trying to get out of it then its back to the guys I bought the car from.
It's not anything rubbing as far as I can see/hear and it only happens at parking speed when the steering is under more loading.
Would Aprilia have a view on this one at all?
Cheers :o)
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Hard to say without hearing it. Could be anything from the airbag clockspring through to a dry tie-rod ball joint. Dealer is the way to go.
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Thanks - will update tomorrow on what happened....
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Ok update....
First off the noise is still there - if anything its worse. Ford have replaced the tie-rod ends and have ordered a shock mount. I also pointed out the front offiside wheel is losing its lacquer so they have ordered a new one of those too.
Not sure what this noise is and also a little bit surprised that at 10000miles I'm replacing steering and suspension parts!
Still ,I don't have to pay :o)
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Can't understand why Ford don't lacquer their wheels properly. You see lots of newish Fords with lacquer coming off the wheels and its been a problem for a few years. Just penny pinching. They tend not to paint the inner surfaces of doors properly too... 'Spoiling the ship for a ha'peth of tar'.
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You're not far wrong there - the locking wheel nuts on the alloys are all rusting nicely and leave a dry rusty patch on the wheel when it stops raining.
Also noticed today the padding on the drivers seat squab is all coming apart underneath the cover.
Don't want to mess about with that because there's an airbag in the seat....
Back to Ford next week for more warranty work then - creaking is getting louder by the day.
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Also noticed today the padding on the drivers seat squab is all coming apart underneath the cover.
Ummm, so you have creaking steering and worn out seating.. but you say its done only 10000 miles? I am asking myself has it really done 10000 miles???? I have never heard of the problems you described but they could possibly be a result of high mileage?? Is the steering wheel or gear knob worn? What are the tyres like? Any wear on the pedals or carpet?
Don't want to plant the seed of doubt but it has to be ruled out.
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Can't understand why Ford don't lacquer their wheels properly. You see lots of newish Fords with lacquer coming off the wheels
Some face lift Mondeos have had a problem where the alloy is laquered only (not painted) on the edge to give a machined look, as with the OP Ford replace wheels under warranty. Not a common wider issue IME.
Toyota / Lexus have a real problem in this regard.
They tend not to paint the inner surfaces of doors properly too... >>
No, there is more than enough paint, they had a problem with a batch of sealer effecting some 2001 / 2002 Mondeos and Foci, the sealer should stay soft and pliable though hardens and comes away, I know I had happen though I was most impressed with how Ford and the dealer handled it.
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Pity they can't design simple strips that don't chip the boot and make it rust. And then refuse to do anything about isn't it?!
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Pity they can't design simple strips that don't chip the boot and make it rust. And then refuse to do anything about isn't it?!
Thats part of the fun the same as counting the amount of bubbles you can see under the wing mirrors?
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Fortunately I'm missing out on that. My doors are fine too. It was just the chrome boot strip that I had to get sorted (and a boot respray) myself.
I have seen one with a dodgy door and the wingmirror problem though. Not very nice!
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Some face lift Mondeos have had a problem where the alloy is laquered only (not painted) on the edge to give a machined look, as with the OP Ford replace wheels under warranty. Not a common wider issue IME.
Poor finishing on the alloys has been a problem for 3+ years, they should sort it out. They do, as you say, replace corroded alloys during the warranty period.Toyota / Lexus have a real problem in this regard.
Yes, that was confined to a certain production run, it doesn't seem to be an on-going problem as with Ford.
>> They tend not to paint the inner surfaces >> of doors properly too... >> No, there is more than enough paint, they had a problem with a batch of sealer effecting some 2001 / 2002 Mondeos and Foci, the sealer should stay soft and pliable though hardens and comes away, I know I had happen though I was most impressed with how Ford and the dealer handled it.
I am not talking about the sealer problem. I am talking about them being mean with the paint. Two weeks ago I checked over a '55 Mondeo for someone who was about to buy it and you could see that the top coat was barely covering the primer on the bottom of the door case. Some are fine and others are not. It is obviously policy to use as little paint as possible on the non-visible surfaces. You also see unpainted patches under the cars (mind you, you also see that on Jags!!).
Really, I'm not knocking Fords and they are heaps better than they used to be, but they have a few little problem areas that they still need to sort out.
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Toyota / Lexus have a real problem in this regard. Yes, that was confined to a certain production run, >>
I know of it effecting Celica, Avensis and Lexus, the latter both recently though I know of a 51 plate Celica that needed new wheels at 2.5 years old, apparently quite a common problem re the std wheels on the 140 ps Celica.
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There is a recall concerning steering noise on the focus.The remedial work involves replacing the steering rack tie rods.
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Yes, I heard there was a problem with tie-rod ball joints (as I mentioned further up) but you really have to hear the noise to know whether this would be the OP's problem.
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Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies so far. Ford had the car in again yesterday and managed to put a crack in the windscreen for free :o/ - they are replacing it today.
Steering noise (continuous creaking when wheel is turned) is still there despite the tie rod ends and shock mount being replaced. They replaced the road wheel too. They have suggesting letting one of their lads re - cover the drivers seat in the workshop - something I wasn't really confident in them doing......
Anyway I have been back to the supplying dealer (the independant I bought the car from) who have offered me an exchange vehicle for equal or greater value with a full refund on the price of the Focus which I think is very decent of them.
Off to choose a different car this weekend :o)
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