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Ford Mondeo Braking - Galaxy
I am becoming increasingly aware that, when braking, the offside front of my Mondeo is dipping noticeably lower than the nearside. This effect is also noticeable when driving over a speed bump.

I have just had it back from my local Ford Main Dealer after reporting this, but they reckoned they could find nothing wrong so nothing was done. They didn't really give me any sort of proper explanation. So, I have to ask the question, are they all like it?

Could it possibly be that, since most of the time I'm the only person in the car, my own weight is causing this to happen, since, obviously, I am sitting on that side? I also not that the engine is not exactly centrally mounted along the centre axis of the car, by design. Could this cause the effect mentioned?

I don't think this is connected with brakes, which seem fine. However, when braking hard from speed, the car does want to steer to the right, which has to be corrected. I have just fitted two new front tyres and had the tracking done (front wheels only), but this problem (?) was there before.

Would be very grateful for advice and comments from fellow Mondeo owners. Mine is a 2000 Zetec Hatchback 2 Litre. It's done 30K.

Many Thanks



Ford Mondeo Braking - pmh
If you think it really is weight (load) related, find yourself a friend of slightly greater weight and install him on the left side of the car (assuming rhd)! Then road test.

( I say 'greater' in attempt to compensate for any ageing of rhs springs).

I would also carry out static load tests with a tape measure and said bodies.

PS Are you grossly overweight or anything?

pmh (was peter)
Ford Mondeo Braking - John S
John

From your description this is a dynamic problem ie the car normally sits and rides level. In that case the problem is most likely to be with the damper. It would appear to have lost most of its damping in bounce.

If the car does not sit level then it's a spring problem.

The dealer may have been looking for leaks - but a damper doesn't have to leak to be faulty. Internal faults can occur. Try bouncing each side of the car to check for different reaction.

Regards

John S
Ford Mondeo Braking - Dynamic Dave
From your description this is a dynamic problem...


Oi!! Leave me out of this :o)
Ford Mondeo Braking - Keith S
I had this problem when I bought my Mondeo at 26,000 miles.

When the car was bounced on all 4 corners the car did not bounce. i.e. the shocks seemed fine.

However when the rear struts were removed one of the rears had almost no resistance.

My car was handling like a right pig. The back end used to kick out under heavy braking.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you find the problem.