Calling all Ford mechanics....(sorry guys......)

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September 07, 2008, 12:58:29 AM

Hey everyone, it's not a mopar question, I know. Sorry for that. Dunno

We just put a new set of tires on my girlfriend's 2005 Focus that has 43,000 miles on it, and now I notice a very very slight shake in the steering wheel. A lot of things affect it, but it's definitely there. If we're on brand new smooth road, it's very light if at all, and if we're on a slightly worn road (no potholes or anything, but not glassy smooth) you can let go of the wheel and watch it wobble back and forth. The movement is not that much, if I hold the wheel firmly it feels more like the road than anything. I did notice at one point when hitting the brakes that it got worse while the brakes were engaged. But this is not consistent. Also, at one turn it was worse as well, but still not severe.

Any thoughts on this one? I had a mustang that when every time I hit the brakes the wheel shook terribly. This was a ball joint issue which i got sorted, but that one was consistent, and the Focus is also a front wheel drive car (which is a mystery to me).

The real question is, should I drive it to Washington this weekend? We are leaving about 2 in the morning for a 6 hour drive up to Northern Washington on Saturday. I'm of the opinion that it will be ok over the weekend, but maybe we should take the truck instead. (the truck doesn't go as fast and uses more gas).

Oh yeah, i thought about wheel balance, but i would expect wheel balance to be more consistent.

Anyway, thanks for any help, guys! I do appreciate it!

- Don

I would definitely think a wheel balance issue could be part of it. A cv joint that is starting to seize can cause a vibration that only occurs at certain speeds or turning positions as well.

Check to ensure all wheel nuts are tight too.

Is the front suspension tight? A loose tie rod or ball joint can cause a vibration as well.

What about a potential tire defect? Even if a tire is in perfect balance weight-wise, if it is out of round, or has a side to side shimmy due to a shifted belt or something, it can vibrate.

I would take it back to the shop where you had the tires put on and let them look at it first, especially if it started right after new tires.

If it was me, I'd try to get it sorted out before a long trip.

Hope this helps,
Adam

Rotate the front tires to the rear and see if your shake goes away. that will tell you if its in your wheels/tires.
Brake pulsation is usually rotors out of round, throw them away and put new ones on, everything is throw away nowdays

Those are some good ideas. I went out tonight and gave everything a good visual, but couldn't find anything obvious. Lug nuts are good and such. I'll be going back to the tire shop tomorrow to have them take a look at balancing and I like the idea of rotating front to back. I'll have them do that and see what it feels like.

If that doesn't pan out, we'll have to take the truck this weekend. Damn. Thanks guys! Appreciate the help.

- Don

No mechanic here but what about a shifted belt on the tire? It happened to my wifes car on the back and I could actually see it when I was driving behind it.

sounds like the same thing on my moms 97 grand caravan(she's hard on brakes... well everything on it infact) Your girlfriends car likely has warped rotors. If you just put new tires on I'd guess someone took the car and drove kinda hard on the brakes likely testing the new tires(I would of) but because of cheap rotors nowadays their likely bent. Spend the coin and buy some decent new rotors and they should be more resistant to warping.