71 replies to this topic

[Big Firky]

Another to your list is check the windscreen for chips or cracks. I cought a fiesta about 5 years ago and i saw a stone chip in the screen, dudn't think anything of it at the time as i was excited to get my new car....took it back the next day and they said well you could have got that anytime !!

They offered to go halves but not fix it. So go over it with a fine toothcomb until your entirely happy.

[Rock God]

This may be of interest to anyone thinking of lowering their ST.
The following data came of the printout from the Space Dynamic Aligner which shows the geometry settings for the ST including the Nominal Values, Diagnosis (as found) and Adjustment (as left). Below are the values for camber. The Nominal values (the specification limits) are in the form of 'Lower Limit' ('Nominal') 'Upper Limit' followed by the worst case readings for Front and Rear following the fitting of Eibach Pro lowering kit:

Nominal {Lower Limit (Nominal) Upper Limit}
Front: -2 deg 12 min (-0 deg 55 min) +0 deg 22 min
Rear: -3 deg 02 min (-1 deg 47 min) -0 deg 32 min

Front
As Found: -1 deg 23 min
As Left: -1 deg 25 min

Rear
As Found: -2 deg 15 min
As Left: -2 deg 14 min

As you can see, the camber readings after lowering the car as still within the specification for standard suspension. This will hopefully allay the fears of those thinking of getting their car lowered using Eibach Pro springs, or similar, that their camber was going to go wildly out and significantly wear their tyres.

The slight variation between 'Before' and 'After' results are due to the adjustment of both front and rear toe in which is the only geometry parameter that was out of specification following the fitting of the Eibach Pro springs.

In short, lowering your ST will effect your suspension geometry, particularly front and rear toe in, which will require adjustment, but should not adversely effect camber. So get your dealer to check the geometry AND the alignment of your headlights too.

Hope this of use to members in general and those thinking of lowering their ST in particular.

Cheers,
RG

[sailorsam]

When you pick your new car up get on your hands and knees, then look under the bottom of your doors. Chances are they haven't been sprayed fully. Cheapskates

[ifti]

This is a great thread of things to check for......would be more useful it is had more pictures maybe?
Thanks

[Captain Ron]

Excellent checklist. Great work. Picking my new ST-3 up next weekend hopefully so i'll be sure to give it a thorough going over before leaving the garage.

[bush360]

Picking up my 55 reg ST3 on Friday well exited my car does not come with a flip key only a normal spare and an older style ford Remote key. It was registered in Jan 06 just wondering if this was right. Apart from that it has done 16k and had been serviced by ford and ontime and semmed sound on test drive exactly like the new one I drove at ford.

[Alb]

For the UK at least you should definitely have two flip keys.

[martyn235]

when looking over my st2 ,found it great to have a friend with me, as he noticed a little dent in passenger door. dealer got it sorted for when i went to pick it up. too xited to look properly if u know what i mean.

[t800]

I think servicing on time should be added to this list, I looked at 2 ST-3's that had been serviced too late (by four months) and Ford wouldn't honour the warranty because of it.

[aturne19]

Picking up my 55 reg ST3 on Friday well exited my car does not come with a flip key only a normal spare and an older style ford Remote key. It was registered in Jan 06 just wondering if this was right. Apart from that it has done 16k and had been serviced by ford and ontime and semmed sound on test drive exactly like the new one I drove at ford.

my first was a jan 06 car and came with one flip key and a normal spare, so you should have at least one flip key with yours. my current is a jan 07 car and came with two flip keys. think they started giving two flip keys out from march 06, not sure though.