[FastEddie]

A couple of times in recent days when I have driven off in the morning the steering on my ST has been really strange ...

Its like it doesn't want to steer away from straight ahead and feels a bit like there are 'tramlines' on the road and a sort of ridge that the tyres have to go through to make the turn...

I've even stopped twice to check the front tyres but they are fine, as are their pressures...

Has anyone else had this ? Could it be a problem with the PAS system in with cold ?

Cheers all.

 

[thestumper]

Very strange as I drove mine the other morning and said a similar thing to the missis. Couldnt put my finger on it but it didnt feel quite right. Everything seems fine today though.

 

[Phil]

QUOTE(FastEddie @ 28 Dec 2009, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>A couple of times in recent days when I have driven off in the morning the steering on my ST has been really strange ...

Its like it doesn't want to steer away from straight ahead and feels a bit like there are 'tramlines' on the road and a sort of ridge that the tyres have to go through to make the turn...

I've even stopped twice to check the front tyres but they are fine, as are their pressures...

Has anyone else had this ? Could it be a problem with the PAS system in with cold ?

Cheers all.

Is the tyre wear even? may need the tracking checked. or, try switching between the sport, comfort and standard modes on the steering menu and see if you notice any difference.

 

[FastEddie]

It's been fine most days, including today, so I dont see it can be tracking or tyre wear ... seems to only happen on the really cold mornings... and it goes away after a few miles...

 

[Phil]

it may just be how the temps effect the compound off the tyre.

 

[Russeh]

ah few its not just me then, i noticed this recently too you kinda instictivly think there's a tyre under inflated or your've got a flat. But i reckon its just the cold making the type feeling harder and everything a bit more knoblier?

 

[Phil]

QUOTE(Russeh @ 28 Dec 2009, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>ah few its not just me then, i noticed this recently too you kinda instictivly think there's a tyre under inflated or your've got a flat. But i reckon its just the cold making the type feeling harder and everything a bit more knoblier?

Unless you switch to winter tyres with a different compound rubber. Though prob not worth it till global warming really takes hold.

 

[Russeh]

QUOTE(PHILJB @ 28 Dec 2009, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Unless you switch to winter tyres with a different compound rubber. Though prob not worth it till global warming really takes hold.

hehe yeah.

 

[gjlatz]

Hello all,

I had a similar experience last week (early morning V Cold) front end felt strange like tram linning. I put it down to the weather conditions.

Again, this morning similar front end feeling then a little later a strange feeling from the rear, that gave a feeling of an almost flat rear tyre. I actually stopped and checked the rear wheels were tight....

Hopefully this is a weather, temp or tyre issue

 

[mitch-st225]

QUOTE(PHILJB @ 28 Dec 2009, 04:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is the tyre wear even? may need the tracking checked. or, try switching between the sport, comfort and standard modes on the steering menu and see if you notice any difference.

lol whats this sport ,comfort and standard mode on steering coloum i never seen that before or is that a joke

 

[Phil]

QUOTE(mitch-st225 @ 29 Dec 2009, 01:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>lol whats this sport ,comfort and standard mode on steering coloum i never seen that before or is that a joke

The power steering has adjustable assistance, ford call it standard, sport and comfort.

Have a look in the trip computer menu and have a play.

 

[buzz]

Had the same thing happen to me on quite a few occasions. thought that i was black ice.

 

[FastEddie]

For info: my tyres are Falken 452's and are about half-worn (3mm) and the steering has always been on the 'Sport' setting ...

Personally, I think its possibly something to do with the PAS system needing to warm-up a bit, for the fluid to move freely ??

Very weird sensation it is though, but it does stop after about 3-4 miles

 

[J555]

QUOTE(FastEddie @ 29 Dec 2009, 03:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>For info: my tyres are Falken 452's and are about half-worn (3mm) and the steering has always been on the 'Sport' setting ...

Personally, I think its possibly something to do with the PAS system needing to warm-up a bit, for the fluid to move freely ??

Very weird sensation it is though, but it does stop after about 3-4 miles

I've recently noticed the same thing in the cold weather. I first saw it a few weeks ago when it was down to a few degrees above freezing but recently when it's been about 0 degrees or below not noticed it so much. It feels like the steering doesn't want to turn away from the straight ahead position, like it's following a rut in the road and requires more force than normal to get past that point. Ok once warmed up though. I too got out to check that I hadn't got a puncture the first time it happened.

My car is wearing Continental Sport Contact 3s. Strangely I never noticed this issue with the steering last winter or in winter of 07/08.

 

[tompeters]

This affects all Focus' not just STs, at low ambient temperatures the power steering system / fluid takes longer to warm up hence the heavy steering feel, it's more noticeable on models that have 18" wheels fitted, a colleague experiences similar symptons on a Titanium.

 

[Alb]

IIRC the bottom end of the temperature range for Summer compound tyres (what 99.9% of us have on our cars) is +5DegC so whilst not unsafe, they will not give optimum performance until they have warmed up if the ambient temperature is below this.

 

[FastEddie]

Set off in the ST this morning after probably the coldest night for years and the steering was absolutely fine ...

Work that one out ! ?

 

[xxtrickzxx]

ive still got my fiesta mk7 and that has been doing exactly the same

 

[2fast748]

Really struggled to get out of the estate this morning, so much so I had a warning appear on the dash telling me I had assisted steering failure (after doing a 3000 point turn to get going!).

Speedo stopped working, loads of warning lights on and it wouldn't go into 5th gear! Got 2 miles up the road, stopped at a garage to check under the bonnet, couldn't see anything leaking or on fire so set off again and it had cleared!

 

[Guest]

QUOTE(tompeters @ 29 Dec 2009, 09:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>This affects all Focus' not just STs, at low ambient temperatures the power steering system / fluid takes longer to warm up hence the heavy steering feel, it's more noticeable on models that have 18" wheels fitted, a colleague experiences similar symptons on a Titanium.

I had a similar problem with my 08 plate ST. It was pulling hard even at low speeds and it wasn't torque steer. I ended up having to get a new steering rack and front tyres. Now this has been done it runs like a Dream.