[PlasticRacer]

Ok posting a seperate thread so that i can get some more input on this. As some of you know i just recently did a clutch swap, which was bitter sweet as the clutch swap itself was successful, but at the same time ran into other issues during the whole process. The main thing is with the steering, when putting the tranny back in, i dropped the driver side of the subframe, not too far, just enough to get the transaxle to clear the subframe. After all was said and done with that and i went to test everything to see if the clutch is functional, the steering was locked, and as i put the key in to unlock it and i wiggled the steering, i noticed it was a bit harder than normal to move the wheel around, like 1/4 turn would be ok, then another 1/4 i would have to pull on it harder than normal to move it, then it free's up, then the same thing again till its turned all the way, on either side. Not sure what it is, any inputs???

 

[FORDFOCUSZETECMCC]

did you kink a line

 

[speedracerzx3]

I did a clutch on my friends focus last summer and ran into the same problem. Check under the dash where the steering knuckle is there is a bracket that might have broke when you dropped the subframe.

 

[PlasticRacer]

^^ Thanx, i'll check that as soon as i get a chance. And sorry it took so long to get back to this, been getting the last few things done and testing the car, OMFG what a difference, thing grips like crazy, stalled twice trying to get used to it []

 

[mlbbaseball]

did u check the fluid level as well, usually when you do something like that, you mess up a seal, possibly in the rack, and steering will get harder too. if not, monitor your fluid. If it is the knuckle, get it fixed ASAP, the more you drive on it when it is damaged, the more ware you put on the steering system and the more danger you are in that it will break or completely give out when you stress it while driving!! accidents are no fun!! if ur mechanically inclined, it isn't too hard of a fix!!

 

[PlasticRacer]

^^^ didn't want to hear that, i'll take a look at it today!!

 

[PlasticRacer]

Ok,figured out what the problem is. I checked under the dash for that bracket, nothing appears to be broken, but instead what happened was when the subframe was dropped, it turned to rack to where it rubs against the firewall under the dash, so that part of the steering where it comes through that hole, instead of it being centered, its been pushed back against the firewall, so i guess i need to turn it back, not sure how hard it'll be but i hope nothing else was damaged.