Twitchy focus

[Bren]

I have noticed a fair bit of feedback through the steering wheel of our focus.

 

The front tyres are past their best and have started to feather on their inner edges.

 

I was wondering if the feedback was due to the tyres or if there was something worn suspension wise - track rod ends etc. That has made the tyres wear?

 

Opinions?

[New POD]

If they are feathering on inner edge either the tracking is out, or there's something worn with is causing the wheels to splay out under acceleration and act like the tracking is out.

[Pillock]

Bottom arms are the usual weak point aren't they? Especially if it's had a cheapo replacement, they're made of pudding and it turns them into a 6 monthly consumable.

[Barry Cade]

Front wishbone rear bushes on the Focus up are prone to wear, affecting handling and inner tyre wear. Later ones have a different setup which wear worser...

[sierraman]

Plus one for the bottom arms. You could get the lemforder ones which might last longer. I wouldn't fuck about with putting new bushes on, unless you are fitting poly bushes. Which in any case you would likely have to burn the old fuckers out and drill out the ball joint.

[Bren]

I thought I would have a look at the tyres. I was greeted with the following-

 

 

 

 

Although the tyre is worn the construction shown in the photo has not come through all around the tyres circumference, just the area shown.

 

The other tyre has feathered but nothing like this one.

 

Obviously I need new tyres but there is little point until I find out what the problem is.

I hope that nothing is bent / damaged as there is damage to the n/s sill - I am hoping it is a simple alignment problem and nothing more sinister that has caused the previous owner to move the car on.

[Split_Pin]

Same thing happened on my old Vectra. Gave me a shock as the car drove fine and the outer edges of the tyre were fine. Exposed cords most of the way round each inner edge of the tyre. New tyres, bottom arms and track rods and she was a good un. Leason learned about heeding advisories and thoroughly checking tyres regularly, could have been pants down if I got stopped by the Fash.

[Cavcraft]

Clearly the tracking is a miles out. A decent (i.e not Kwik Fit) tyre place should be able to put it on the four wheel tracking device and tell you what the fault is. Given their amazing consumption for wheel bearings, could that be a problem?

[Bren]

I will have to get a 4 wheel alignment done in the week. Only problem is I have put the spare on for now which is a spacesaver.

 

I was thinking of getting a couple of part worns for now in case I have to have bits of suspension replaced. The MOT is up at the start of Jan so I am loathe to fork out on new boots because If I am presented with a long failure sheet it's going over the bridge.

[alf892]

Bit pointless getting alignment done if you think bits are buggered.

 

Check first,replaced knackered bits then get alignment done.

[purplebargeken]

WHS^^

[Bren]

The bloke I take it to does our MOT's - he will have a look first to see if anything is worn.

[sierraman]

Could likely be the track rod end out. They're only £9 or so on eBay, so if there's the slightest bit of play id just change them. Shagged out wishbone arm bushes would also send the tracking out, but they would be very obviously fucked upon a visual inspection.

[Bren]

Two decent part worns fitted - garage is having a butchers on Wednesday morn.

 

I dont really like using part worns any more, but they will suffice until I know what the problem is.

[Bren]

A worn track rod end that has been replaced and 4 wheel alignment has (hopefully) cured the problem.

[Pete-M]

When you buy secondhand cars they're pretty much always equipped with part worns; )

[mikebee]

I would say tracking out for definite,if there's any banging or crashing about from the front end (you'll know when hitting bump/pothole/kerb) then its bushes.worth fixing as the bits are extremely cheap.