[CDORISMAX]

Hi, just an observation on my steering. I work shifts and going to work in the recent cold mornings the steering has a very worrying centre bias. Difficult to turn, when setting off cold , above 20 m.p.h., with out over correcting. To steer with the straight ahead position seemingly fixed is un-nerving as as soon as the centrepoint is over come then it's over compensated and I'm off the other way.


Any one experienced this? I know they are electric power assist systems. Under 15 m.p.h. it's fine. 20 m.p.h. and above it is tight until the thing warms up.
The dealer from whenceMax was delivered cannotfind fault........Mmmmn.

 

[Ravenger]

Tyres?

 

[Richard G]

Several thoughts
I presume the P/S fluid level is correct and the pump is putting in the effort or that the fuse (presume it has one) to the pump is OK
Has this been like this for a while or only just happened
Have you un-intentionally hit a large pot hole
Even when it is hard to turn is it equally difficult in both directions and at all points in the travel or does the amount of effort change
When you going straight ahead is the steering wheel also in the straight ahead position
Have you tried the steering wheel in several alternative positions in respect of reach and rake

 

[Richard G]

Another thought
Have you checked the CV joint gaiters in case they have split and the U/J's are starting to seize?

 

[CDORISMAX]

Blimey! I know what I am trying to convey: wish I could put it into understandable words!!!!!
The cold is the main consideration I believe. The electric power steering ( hereinafter known as eps.) is speed sensitive. Below 15-20 mph the eps is fine, turns freely and easily.Above 20 mph and within 10 or sowarm up miles there is a definate self centering which isdifficult to overcome. It needs to be treated carefully as to negotiate a slight bend ends up weaving about as the effort needed to get the car to turn is such that when it does finally turn it is goes off further than intended.
The car(hereinafter known as Max.) is 3 yrs old. I have owned him from Feb 08. I am confident the suspension, tracking and tyres are present and correct. The eps oil level is good but there does seem to be a metalic taintto it. I am going to get a sample to show the dealer next week.
Re-reading your suggestions; No difference in wheel reach or rake, The steering wheel is central.
After warmed up orwhen setting off in the day time it is hardly an issue. I work nights and this is only a problem when setting off in the cold dead of the morning.. The darkest hour is just before dawn..Max and I are up and running well before dawn.
Many years ago, before Max existed and I was younger witha lot more hair, I worked on a farm which had a Bedford truck. This lorry had all of the attributes of an agricultural vehicle. That is to say little, if any, maintainence.. ( stick with me!! ) The steering on this lorry, ( hereinafter known as death wish.) was of the king pin with bushes variety. No esp on death wish! The effect of no grease in the king pinsis what I get with Max when setting off in the mornings. To turn at all requires such effort as to over steer withcorrection which results in going off the other way.
I suspect I have confused the issue but I have enjoyed tryping this. Has no one else had this problem? Max with esp.and death wish steering.

 

[CDORISMAX]

for esp read eps. proof reading another failed career!


English still a challenge. Good - night.

 

[Richard G]

I was just trying to eliminate the obvious things first but you've obviously been there earlier.

For king pin & bushes read U/J's either in the colums or in the drive train that are not lubricated properly and are difficult to change the angle on is what I was considering and given the speed related aspect could be so that they are less willing to flex as the speed increases

Are the driveshaft CV Joint gaiter OK and without any slight splits in the bottom of the grooves?

the only other temperature related extreme posibility is could some water has got in to the fluid somehow but this wouldn't be speed related i don't think

BTW the effort the steering pump put out is also related to the speed with which you turn the wheel. There is a vane sensor on the column

 

[CDORISMAX]

Thank you for the input. I have recently got one of the discs advertised on e-bay and the complexity of the steering is quite amazing. I have heard that S-max vehicles suffer from this also and the fix is some special grease for the grommet on the steering column / floor pan juncture.A Mondeo owned by a family friend also suffers thus.


The dealer denies any knowledge of such issues on the C-max but agreed on the S max.


I'll mention it again as Max is off to get gassed up for the summer heat we hopefully are going to get?

??
( By the way. I hope there isn't a vain sensor any where in the caror I'm in trouble........)
Cheers!

 

[Ravenger]

My C-Max had its steering bushes/links renewed under warranty. The steering was making a grinding noise, especially noticable at low speeds. I can't say that it was any worse when cold though. After replacement the steering felt much lighter.

 

[CDORISMAX]

Interesting! Low speeds are no problem. Setting off slowly from home it,s fine until I get to the main road and get above 20 mph. Turn the wheel through 5 o (degrees) or so and it won't respond. I reckon it's electrical and as a computer chip is bound to be involved then who knows?
Cannot believe I am the only one experiencing this. Perhaps I am the only idiot going to work at 01:00 hrs.
I'll listen carefully for grinding noises tomorrow! Cheers.

 

[Richard G]

try here
http://www.focusowners.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=116
under the known issues and fixes
somebody seems to be able to get to the special instructions to the dealers
See if they know anything about this problem

 

[CDORISMAX]

Hi, just an observation on my steering. I work shifts and going to work in the recent cold mornings the steering has a very worrying centre bias. Difficult to turn, when setting off cold , above 20 m.p.h., with out over correcting. To steer with the straight ahead position seemingly fixed is un-nerving as as soon as the centrepoint is over come then it's over compensated and I'm off the other way.


Any one experienced this? I know they are electric power assist systems. Under 15 m.p.h. it's fine. 20 m.p.h. and above it is tight until the thing warms up.
The dealer from whenceMax was delivered cannotfind fault........Mmmmn.

 

[Doli]

Doris, you said in other post it was the pump and some kind of wiring mod, How much did you have to pay? Do you have any details on the wiring mod done?

Thanks
Surj.

 

[CDORISMAX]

Let me qualify the statement 'was the pump' I went to my ford dealer earlier this week with my car.. A ford tech guy drove it and said 'Itis the pump'


Got it booked in, given a KA (K) for 3 days,theninformedpumps are on back order from ford. So..


I am to get a pump, with updated wiring, when avalible. Pump about £250 ish. covered by warrenty. modified loom not covered by waranty about £150 ish. Loom cuts into and replaces bits from electric pump into back of fuse box, or so I am told.


Forgive spellig and slight over confidence, but reckon ford will cure my steering when pump arrives! Just suprised no one else had experienced the problem until recent post, which reminded me.

 

[CDORISMAX]

An update on my steering. *(yawn)*
They had it for 3 days and did nothing, pump on back order, we'll give you a call when it arrives. ( yeah yeah..)
Many days later, I call them to arrange it's now due service and am asked if I'd like them to do the pump at the same time?"Is it in??" Yes!! they reply. ( thanks for letting me know..)

They have had the car since Monday this week. New pump butwrong one, with revised wiringto go with wrong pump.Next pump arrives and wiring now not a match for the correct pump.Get right wiring. All fitted and the computer won't 'talk' to the new pump...The Ford tech guys tearing hair out and assume I have a broken wire in my loom somewhere. No luck.

Any hoo..............Friday has come and almost gone. I still have a Ka (k) courtesy car, and am to expect to keep the same nowuntil Tuesday.

I cannot fault the dealership.Itis a bummer to have been supplied with a wrong and then faulty steering pump but I have every confidence that Christmas IS coming, yet, it's a toss up which gets here first.... Santa or my long lost and very much missed Max.
I just hope it does fix the problem. Will post here when I know!!

 

[Doli]

Thanks for the info, keep us posted. I'll be needing mines done soon!

 

[CDORISMAX]

I am (ford dealer is ) having a mare with my steering. after 8 days it is still not fixed. dealer fitted 3rd pump andprogrammed it only to have it fail within 15 mins. ford technical big-wigs have given dealer various checks for my existing wiring and all clear so..........another pump is coming tomorrow. it is reckoned to be a faulty batch of pumps that we have gotten into.... Gawd help us.

 

[CDORISMAX]

Right, for the other two stiff steering cars out there... forget the pump!!
After getting a good pump it has not cured the problem.
Now the steering rack is suspect. If you have a dealer on the case get them to talk to ford technical dept. they are liasing with my local ford garage. I will get my Max back
?
Just an update.

 

[CDORISMAX]

Latest is, given car back with slightly improved but still evident problem.
I think the dealer is thinking I may just accept it. Am very upset at having been without Max for 17 days I have to go back. The mechanic wanted to replace the rack but guess he may have been over ruled. Will be booking it in for another go....................

 

[Doli]

Doris,

Has the steering been sorted yet? mines still the same. Just got used to driving with it.