New ST3 Electric steering problems

[jsr72]

Originally Posted by Now534

Looking in the Owners Manual it seems that the Electronic Steering Assist is tied into the ABS system also.

I would think they would be. Torque vectoring and stability control need steering angle sensor data.

[ST_Focus_13]

I'm experiencing something a bit different, but still under the “very sensitive steering” subject. I notice this when I accelerate and change lanes (like when merging) at the same time. The car’s steering loosens (I feel that the EPAS might be over compensating). As a result, the steering wheel jerks enough where I have to compensate in the opposite direction (which ends up being over compensating with the loose steering). The outcome is a “decent wiggle” during lane changes - looks totally amateurish. I haven’t taken my ST on a long drive yet, thus I can’t speak to the drifting that occurs at the 30 min mark.

[Shamone]

Originally Posted by ST_Focus_13

I'm experiencing something a bit different, but still under the “very sensitive steering” subject. I notice this when I accelerate and change lanes (like when merging) at the same time. The car’s steering loosens (I feel that the EPAS might be over compensating). As a result, the steering wheel jerks enough where I have to compensate in the opposite direction (which ends up being over compensating with the loose steering). The outcome is a “decent wiggle” during lane changes - looks totally amateurish. I haven’t taken my ST on a long drive yet, thus I can’t speak to the drifting that occurs at the 30 min mark.

Sounds like you need a new steering rack. It senses the forces on the front wheels compared with your steering input, and decides how much to compensate for torque steer or cross winds.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by ST_Focus_13

I'm experiencing something a bit different, but still under the “very sensitive steering” subject. I notice this when I accelerate and change lanes (like when merging) at the same time. The car’s steering loosens (I feel that the EPAS might be over compensating). As a result, the steering wheel jerks enough where I have to compensate in the opposite direction (which ends up being over compensating with the loose steering). The outcome is a “decent wiggle” during lane changes - looks totally amateurish. I haven’t taken my ST on a long drive yet, thus I can’t speak to the drifting that occurs at the 30 min mark.

Hi ST_Focus_13,

Have you visited your dealership so they can take a look? They'll be your best bet for getting this concern resolved. Additionally, I want to escalate your case and get your regional customer service manager involved. They'll reach out to you and your dealership and coordinate efforts on a resolution. To get started, send me a PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name; I'll do the rest!

Originally Posted by Shamone

Sounds like you need a new steering rack. It senses the forces on the front wheels compared with your steering input, and decides how much to compensate for torque steer or cross winds.

Thanks for the great info, Shamone!

Have a great day,
Crystal

[Arco-Zakus]

Originally Posted by Slo86GT

... Half the fun of a powerful FWD car is compensating for the power by having to cock the wheel 45 degrees to drive straight. ;)

Spoken like a true enthusiast. I love the image that put in my head. With a sound track:

Daryle Singletary-Too much fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJcw4...nofeather=True)

Bobby Pinson - Don't Ask Me How I Know:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zElXG...nofeather=True


Computers controlling everything, fear of lawsuits, legistlation and regulations, high gas prices, and on and on are leading to the tuning out of so much of what is (used to be) fun. For our own good, of course.

Sometimes the outcome is better -- I remember anything with a turbo being like a hand grenade with the pin pulled out and an unknown fuse delay -- but everything sure feels different now. Especially when we end up fighting the technology that's supposed to make everything better, like with these steering problems. (And fake engine sounds being fed into the cockpit? Why not just play with a video game?)

Originally Posted by Slo86GT

... I'd find that fuse and pull it ...

Reminds me of Dave talking to Hal-9000 in "2001: A Space Odyssey". Be careful trying to pull that fuse out Shamone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwBmP...nofeather=True

Originally Posted by Slo86GT

... Ask me how I know....

No need to ask. You're having too much fun. (I was surprised to not see a Yamaha R1 listed in your signature.)

Originally Posted by Slo86GT

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There's no fool like an old fool. It's like anything else -- the longer you are one, the better you get at it.

[Arco-Zakus]

Originally Posted by Shamone

Well the Ford dealer just rang and said there's nothing they can do until more people complain about the same fault as Ford Technical say they have never heard of it.

My reply was that this is unacceptable as it is dangerous because at times it can be virtually impossible to keep the car in the lane due to zig-zagging between the white lines. This is to the extent that I had to pull over on a busy freeway to stop/start the engine.

They said their hands are tied, and unless I have an engine management light showing then there was no point in bringing the car in.

2 weeks old, and I have a lemon. Ford Customer service here I come.

Shamone, did this ever get fixed? Since your last post was more than 4 months ago it's kinda' scary thinking that something might have happened to you trying to drive it this way.

[Shamone]

Originally Posted by Arco-Zakus

Shamone, did this ever get fixed? Since your last post was more than 4 months ago it's kinda' scary thinking that something might have happened to you trying to drive it this way.

Ford sent an expert technician who duplicated the fault and authorised a new steering rack. Been perfect over the 4000 miles I've covered since :)

[rgonyer]

Any chance you could get more info about the technician, what dealer you were at, etc?? I'm still unable to resolve my exact same issue. Some days it's ok, some days it's terrible.

[Now534]

After vacation mine hasn't done this since.

Sent from my Rooted Galaxy S3 using FF Mobile

[ColtB]

Is anyone still having steering issues? I bought my car a month ago, and took it for it's first long highway run (~800 miles round trip) last weekend. I noticed that after 30-45 minutes at highway speed it became almost impossible to keep it in a straight line, and harder to keep it in the lanes in curves. I took it to the dealer today, and they wouldn't take it on a long enough drive to replicate it. I'm supposed to take it back Tuesday and drop it off, but all they say is "That's how electric assist steering works."