shake of steering wheel - Focaljet

**khamilton28** · 03-12-2008, 11:06 AM

I have a 2002 focus SE. Have a problem with the shaking of steering wheel. It doesn't do it all the time but sometimes it does and it is very bad. The last time it happen all I did was stop. Pulled over to the side of the road and started to drive again and it started to shake. Just got brand new tires put on a couple of months ago so they are balanced. Does anyone have the same problem and if so what did you do to fix it. NEED HELP

!!!!!!!!

**Dev** · 03-12-2008, 11:29 AM

Your wheels could be out of balance, your rotors could be warped. It's really hard to track it down based on the limited info provided here. I am sure that others will chime in but I am going with the easy ones for now. Good luck!

**foundwaldo1017** · 03-12-2008, 12:03 PM

I had an 02 and 04 sedan that did the same thing. They did it at 60 MPG or above. It was because the rims were bent. I would check that first. The tire shop that put the tires on should have tested it but they may not have told you about it. The other thing is did this start after you had the tires put on, or was it doing it before?

**khamilton28** · 03-12-2008, 12:06 PM

it did not do it after i put tires on. it just started this morning.the werid thing is that it comes and goes.how much was a new stock rim go for?

**brads03zx3** · 03-12-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foundwaldo1017

They did it at 60 MPG or above.

I need to get me a sedan

maybe 60 mph

Yes, a bent or out of round wheel will cause a steering wheel vibration, even if the tires have been balanced. You can try and swap the front tires to the rear and see if that changes anything.

There are stock wheels for sale in the For Sale threads all the time. There is no rhyme or reason why it is doing it? What speeds? Under braking? While turning? Check the torque on your lugnuts. If they are almost falling off, that could be a bad thing.

**khamilton28** · 03-12-2008, 12:15 PM

it doesnt happen when going fast. i would say around 25 to 30 mph.

**foundwaldo1017** · 03-12-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

I need to get me a sedan

maybe 60 mph

Yes, a bent or out of round wheel will cause a steering wheel vibration, even if the tires have been balanced. You can try and swap the front tires to the rear and see if that changes anything.

There are stock wheels for sale in the For Sale threads all the time. There is no rhyme or reason why it is doing it? What speeds? Under braking? While turning? Check the torque on your lugnuts. If they are almost falling off, that could be a bad thing.

sorry, meant to say mph.

As far as cost a rims it will depend on the rim 15' or 16' and what they look like.

here is a set of 4 16' on ebay for less than $500.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-Ford-Focus-Alloy-Wheels-Rims-Brand-New-Set-of-4_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43956QQihZ009QQitemZ1 90205094260QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Here is 1 15' rim for about $120
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-...spagenameZWDVW

**khamilton28** · 03-12-2008, 12:37 PM

i will check all that stuff. thanks alot for all the help!!!!!

**GapBoyPCS** · 03-12-2008, 07:18 PM

Just curious: Where are you located? If you had some heavy snowfall recently, some of the snow could have gone behind the rim and created the "unbalanced" feel.

First off: Get the wheels off the car and have them inspected for any damage to the tires or rims. Then, get a GOOD balance job (Tire Rack and other places suggest getting what's called a Road Force Balance). If that doesn't work, you should look at possible steering, brake or suspension issues.

This is a good flowchart from our sponsor, Tire Rack: Download

**MichaelXi** · 03-12-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GapBoyPCS

Just curious: Where are you located? If you had some heavy snowfall recently, some of the snow could have gone behind the rim and created the "unbalanced" feel.

This is very common in Snowy/Icy areas. It doesn't take much weight to cause a vibration.
Also, check your lugnuts. It's possible that they weren't torqued well, and something has worked itself loose over time.
Have you hit anything lately? Potholes, Critters, etc?
Bent components can cause vibration...

**01focuszx3** · 03-12-2008, 08:58 PM

Get your wheel bearings and hubs looked at! Could be a possibility!...i had the same problem and thats what it was

**khamilton28** · 03-12-2008, 10:23 PM

I found out what it was the tierod end was broke on passenger side. Very easy to replace. longest part was find an auto part store that had then rod end. It was only 15 dollars for the part. Now just need to get an alignment done. PRETTY AWSOME. thought it would cost alot more.

**MichaelXi** · 03-12-2008, 10:49 PM

How the Hell did you BREAK a tie rod end?
I'm guessing you've got more problems if you've hit something hard enough to break one...

**01focuszx3** · 03-12-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

How the Hell did you BREAK a tie rod end?
I'm guessing you've got more problems if you've hit something hard enough to break one...

My question too, but at least it didn't cost much!

**brads03zx3** · 03-13-2008, 09:51 AM

And you got very lucky.

Do you have any pictures of that? I'm trying to picture that in my head. Glad you got it fixed though.

**khamilton28** · 03-13-2008, 10:52 AM

no pictures sorry. It was rusted out. who knows how it happen the wife was driving the car and didnt really get a answer from her. When I got my oil changes they never oiled it up.So I'm thinking it was dryed out and just gave up. very simple to fix.very surprised. I'm glad also that i got it fixed that's our only car.

**khamilton28** · 03-13-2008, 01:50 PM

does anyone know if it is easy to replace a lower ball joint.I need one to get alinment done

**brads03zx3** · 03-13-2008, 03:03 PM

No it's not easy. I just replaced the entire lower control arm (because it was bent) but to replace the ball joint, 3 rivets have to be drilled out. Most remove the control arm anyways because it is hard to do while it is on the car.

**khamilton28** · 03-13-2008, 03:57 PM

that sucks. they want to charge me 280 to get it done and they wont even do the alinment til thats done.

**MichaelXi** · 03-13-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khamilton28

that sucks. they want to charge me 280 to get it done and they wont even do the alinment til thats done.

I KNEW there was more damage...
If you buy the arm with the ball-joint preinstalled from Ford, it's not a difficult Do-It-Yourself job with a Repair Manual, the right sockets, star bit, and allen bit.
You also need 2 jackstands and a good floorjack.
You can do it yourself in a couple of "Take Your Time" hours.

BTW the tie-rod ends and ball joints don't get "Oiled up".
Maybe you SHOULD let a shop do the work?

**foundwaldo1017** · 03-13-2008, 05:15 PM

my brother changed the rear lower control arm on my '04 sedan in about around an hour.

**khamilton28** · 03-13-2008, 09:09 PM

ok. i was taking it in for oil changes the place i was going to was not oiling them. so going to different place now.

**khamilton28** · 03-13-2008, 09:10 PM

I dont want to replace the control arm just had that done about 2 years ago.

**GapBoyPCS** · 03-13-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khamilton28

I dont want to replace the control arm just had that done about 2 years ago.

It may cost you less in parts to just replace the ball joint, but it may cost more in the aggravation and maybe labour or tools used to extract it out and/or having possibly the lower control arm go again.

**fordblue03** · 03-13-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khamilton28

ok. i was taking it in for oil changes the place i was going to was not oiling them. so going to different place now.

I am pretty sure you don't oil them. They are maintenance free. If you were around here I'd help you with replacing it.

03-12-2008, 11:06 AM	#1
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	shake of steering wheel I have a 2002 focus SE. Have a problem with the shaking of steering wheel. It doesn't do it all the time but sometimes it does and it is very bad. The last time it happen all I did was stop. Pulled over to the side of the road and started to drive again and it started to shake. Just got brand new tires put on a couple of months ago so they are balanced. Does anyone have the same problem and if so what did you do to fix it. NEED HELP !!!!!!!! Last edited by khamilton28 : 03-12-2008 at 11:41 AM.

03-12-2008, 11:29 AM	#2
Dev Coffee Black Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: (Devon)Citrus Heights, CA USA Posts: 29,561	Re: shake of steering wheel Your wheels could be out of balance, your rotors could be warped. It's really hard to track it down based on the limited info provided here. I am sure that others will chime in but I am going with the easy ones for now. Good luck! __________________ RIP Nazar aka 'nazthug' 1983-2006

03-12-2008, 12:03 PM	#3
foundwaldo1017 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Left Field Posts: 136	Re: shake of steering wheel I had an 02 and 04 sedan that did the same thing. They did it at 60 MPG or above. It was because the rims were bent. I would check that first. The tire shop that put the tires on should have tested it but they may not have told you about it. The other thing is did this start after you had the tires put on, or was it doing it before? __________________ 2004 Focus ZTS 2.3L RIP 11-21-07 2008 Focus Sedan SES Vista Blue fo·cus –noun 1.a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity:

03-12-2008, 12:06 PM	#4
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel it did not do it after i put tires on. it just started this morning.the werid thing is that it comes and goes.how much was a new stock rim go for?

03-12-2008, 12:15 PM	#6
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel it doesnt happen when going fast. i would say around 25 to 30 mph.

03-12-2008, 12:37 PM	#8
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel i will check all that stuff. thanks alot for all the help!!!!!

03-12-2008, 07:18 PM	#9
GapBoyPCS Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Waterloo/Toronto/GTA, Ontario, Canada Posts: 8,965	Re: shake of steering wheel Just curious: Where are you located? If you had some heavy snowfall recently, some of the snow could have gone behind the rim and created the "unbalanced" feel. First off: Get the wheels off the car and have them inspected for any damage to the tires or rims. Then, get a GOOD balance job (Tire Rack and other places suggest getting what's called a Road Force Balance). If that doesn't work, you should look at possible steering, brake or suspension issues. This is a good flowchart from our sponsor, Tire Rack: Download __________________ Richard - 2002 ZTS \| Sangria Red \| 386,000+ km...Be Bold, Stay Focused 24-7 OFOC - Ontario Focus Owners Club \| SVTOA-Toronto \| SVTOA Redline Rendezvous On Track [FJ] focaljet - Forum Guidelines - Welcome to the Jet - Team Canada - FJ Store - Sponsors - SEARCH

03-12-2008, 08:58 PM	#11
01focuszx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Raleigh/Knightdale NC, Posts: 816	Re: shake of steering wheel Get your wheel bearings and hubs looked at! Could be a possibility!...i had the same problem and thats what it was __________________ Marshall low priced euro foci parts!!

03-12-2008, 10:23 PM	#12
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel I found out what it was the tierod end was broke on passenger side. Very easy to replace. longest part was find an auto part store that had then rod end. It was only 15 dollars for the part. Now just need to get an alignment done. PRETTY AWSOME. thought it would cost alot more.

03-12-2008, 10:49 PM	#13
MichaelXi [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Venus Via Knoxville, TN Posts: 24,263	Re: shake of steering wheel How the Hell did you BREAK a tie rod end? I'm guessing you've got more problems if you've hit something hard enough to break one...

03-13-2008, 09:51 AM	#15
brads03zx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 9,069	Re: shake of steering wheel And you got very lucky. Do you have any pictures of that? I'm trying to picture that in my head. Glad you got it fixed though. __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec DuraMonster---'03 duratec ZX3 vs MNTN - 9/0 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 4/1 *JCM Racing #88* Bouncing Back---Bigger, Faster, Stronger Vacuum Vulture Racing - We put the ARG in 'CHARGED

03-13-2008, 10:52 AM	#16
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel no pictures sorry. It was rusted out. who knows how it happen the wife was driving the car and didnt really get a answer from her. When I got my oil changes they never oiled it up.So I'm thinking it was dryed out and just gave up. very simple to fix.very surprised. I'm glad also that i got it fixed that's our only car.

03-13-2008, 01:50 PM	#17
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel does anyone know if it is easy to replace a lower ball joint.I need one to get alinment done

03-13-2008, 03:03 PM	#18
brads03zx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 9,069	Re: shake of steering wheel No it's not easy. I just replaced the entire lower control arm (because it was bent) but to replace the ball joint, 3 rivets have to be drilled out. Most remove the control arm anyways because it is hard to do while it is on the car. __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec DuraMonster---'03 duratec ZX3 vs MNTN - 9/0 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 4/1 *JCM Racing #88* Bouncing Back---Bigger, Faster, Stronger Vacuum Vulture Racing - We put the ARG in 'CHARGED

03-13-2008, 03:57 PM	#19
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel that sucks. they want to charge me 280 to get it done and they wont even do the alinment til thats done.

03-13-2008, 05:15 PM	#21
foundwaldo1017 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Left Field Posts: 136	Re: shake of steering wheel my brother changed the rear lower control arm on my '04 sedan in about around an hour. __________________ 2004 Focus ZTS 2.3L RIP 11-21-07 2008 Focus Sedan SES Vista Blue fo·cus –noun 1.a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity:

03-13-2008, 09:09 PM	#22
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel ok. i was taking it in for oil changes the place i was going to was not oiling them. so going to different place now.

03-13-2008, 09:10 PM	#23
khamilton28 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 27	Re: shake of steering wheel I dont want to replace the control arm just had that done about 2 years ago.