Ford Focus steering question

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Tue 20 Mar 2007 18:53
Ford Focus steering question - NewFocus07
I have a new petrol Ford Focus 1.8LX with standard steel wheels. It has a fair bit of vibration while driving at anything over 55mph. This can be felt through the steering wheel and the steering wheel can be seen to shake at times. I've had the front wheels balanced and the car examined at a dealership and they did need to increase the weights and reposition them and said everything else was fine. Unfortunately the vibration is still there. I've checked the tyre pressures and they are fine.

I understand the Focus is a firm drive but I've not read anything about feeling a lot of vibration in the steering. I also own a 12 year old Vauxhall Astra and that has far less vibration. I don't feel as if there's any loss of control but it makes your hands feel a bit numb after a long trip.

The vibration does seem to be affected to some extent by the road surface, although on recently resurfaced sections it can also be quite bad. When I test drove a Ford Focus I did not notice anything and I've driven my car over the same roads.

Does anyone know if this vibration is normal and to be expected and does anyone have any suggestions of how it can be reduced?
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Tue 20 Mar 2007 19:25
Ford Focus steering question - Aprilia
Definitely not normal.
It could be a number of things. It could be deformed wheel or tyre (swap front-to-back to check). Could be defective CV joint or unbalanced driveshaft. Could be defective hub assy.
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Tue 20 Mar 2007 20:20
Ford Focus steering question - cheddar
..... or a warped brake disc, put some pressure on the supplying dealer.
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Thu 22 Mar 2007 17:51
Ford Focus steering question - NewFocus07
Thanks for the replies. I've swapped front wheels to back and also examined the wheels, one does seem to be slightly oval, i.e. 1.5mm wider diameter in one dimension. All the rest seem ok. It seems to drive a little better but still vibrates. It's booked in at the dealers next week and I'm having a Focus courtesy car so I should be able to see how that does.

I still wonder if it's vibration from the roads but I've not read anything about it in reviews and other garages & owners say you shouldn't feel anything.

I don't think it's the brake disks as my old Astra has warped disks and I only feel vibration when I'm braking in that.
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Thu 22 Mar 2007 19:24
Ford Focus steering question - injection doc
worth a check to make sure the hub of the centre of the steel wheel is a snug fit onto the hub, I have come across this problem where the wheels were incorrect in manufacturer and the wheel bolts don't align the steel wheel to the hub 100%. Check front wheel run out on the rim incase the hub is bent.
It shouldn't vibrate at all.
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