New ST3 Electric steering problems

Shamone · 10-03-2012, 01:25 PM

After only 350 miles I'm finding it exhausting keeping it in a straight line on the motorway (freeway) over any distance.

The micro adjustments you would normally make to keep in your lane are impossible. At over 60 mph the electric power steering's 'pull drift compensation' is kicking in and stiffening the wheel making it difficult to move. Once it kicks in it is strong enough to hold the steering wheel off center with your hands off the wheel. Once you try and turn in the opposite direction there's sufficient resistance that once it does start to move it over compensates and you end up zigzagging in your lane.

My car is only 3 weeks old :(

Some Guy From NY · 10-03-2012, 01:51 PM

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282053

you need a new steering rack.

darkangelism · 10-03-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Some Guy From NY

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282053

you need a new steering rack.

This doesnt apply to him his car is newer than the steering rack issue.

Some Guy From NY · 10-03-2012, 01:57 PM

welp...it sounds exactly like the symptoms I experienced with my defective steering rack.

Just because it doesn't fall into the dates of the TSB (which ford revised a few times) doesn't mean it isn't the problem.

darkangelism · 10-03-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Some Guy From NY

welp...it sounds exactly like the symptoms I experienced with my defective steering rack.

Just because it doesn't fall into the dates of the TSB (which ford revised a few times) doesn't mean it isn't the problem.

That is true

feta_mgp · 10-03-2012, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Some Guy From NY

welp...it sounds exactly like the symptoms I experienced with my defective steering rack.

Just because it doesn't fall into the dates of the TSB (which ford revised a few times) doesn't mean it isn't the problem.

No doubt. Never know, they might have had back stock of the older racks when putting together the new car, and someone just didn't realize they were the older units that had the issues.

Good luck OP, take it in to your dealership and reference that TSB, could very well be the case.

bsp_53 · 10-03-2012, 02:04 PM

The TSB that's listed above may not be the particular fix for your car, but the symptoms you've described are exactly what I experienced. The fix was applied to my car and voila ... right as rain.

The issue for mine ended up being a steering rack that had been over torqued in the factory. Once the car was warmed up and at highway speeds, the "stiction" problem would rear its ugly head. At speed, the amount of electric assist drops off (as it should for better steering feel). It's when that assist drops off that there is not enough umph to overcome the slightly too tight situation in the rack.

It may take Ford a little while to own up, but they will. Just be patient and take your new gem into the dealer.

Here's another thread ... http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...light=steering

Oh, and ...

Shamone · 10-03-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsp_53

The TSB that's listed above may not be the particular fix for your car, but the symptoms you've described are exactly what I experienced. The fix was applied to my car and voila ... right as rain.

The issue for mine ended up being a steering rack that had been over torqued in the factory. Once the car was warmed up and at highway speeds, the "stiction" problem would rear its ugly head. At speed, the amount of electric assist drops off (as it should for better steering feel). It's when that assist drops off that there is not enough umph to overcome the slightly too tight situation in the rack.

It may take Ford a little while to own up, but they will. Just be patient and take your new gem into the dealer.

Here's another thread ... http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...light=steering

Oh, and ...

Great description, and makes sense that the assistance drops off at speed, so if there is mechanical resistance you would notice it more. I wonder if this resistance will reduce once I get more miles on the clock?

bsp_53 · 10-03-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamone

Great description, and makes sense that the assistance drops off at speed, so if there is mechanical resistance you would notice it more. I wonder if this resistance will reduce once I get more miles on the clock?

Mine didn't, but I get where you're coming from. If that is the problem, it just might depend upon how minor the resistance is. Good luck!