Ford Forum

Hi Everyone

Just joined the forum and I have this problem, I've been to the doctors (sorry wrong forum).

I have a 2005 1.6 Focus Zetec Climate and it has develped a wobble/vibration. This starts at about 40mph and gets progressively worse to 50mph where it starts to peter out at 60mph. After 60mph the wobble/vibration is still there when you press the accelerator down but not as bad as at 50mph. It is worse when the engine is under load, i.e. when going uphill or accelerating, basically when the accellorator is applied. Going down hill with no or very little accelloration the car is fine. The car has had new tyres that have all been balanced. The car has been into two garages and one has pinpointed the problem to the front off side wheel. The other garage has checked all the joints and drive shafts and said they were all sound. I have done some research on the internet and found people having similar problems some of them have decided to live with the problem as they cannot cure it. However I believe I have narrowed it down to either the R/H drive shaft or the engine mounts. I have contacted my local Ford garage and they have informed me that the engine mounts very rarely fail.

My problem is trying to pinpoint the fault as there is a number of possibilities, just wandering if anyone has any ideas or a similar problem, any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Many thanks

Ian

I removed the right hand drive shaft on Tuesday and I had arranged to pick a replacement up from Mill Auto Supplies at £91 plus VAT. Unfortunately, it turned out to be for a Mk 1 Focus so the only option I had left was Ford as I was told the drive shaft company were not making them for the Mk 2 Focus as it was too new. I went to Ford and I nearly fell through the floor, they wanted £475 for one. However they did tell me that they had never had to change a drive shaft and it was more than likely the intermediate bearing, so I thought it was worth a shot.

So I have replaced the intermediate bearing, removed the gators from the CV joints and the bearings look fine, re-packed them with grease and sealed the gators down again. The shaft look good no play in it. I have refitted the drive shaft and took it for a test drive. I would say it has only improved marginally, the vibration/wobble is definately still there when accelerating and still worse when accelerating up hill.

I checked all around the wheel while changing the drive shaft but all seems solid, I'm at a loss really what to try next. I was thinking of looking at the engine and gearbox mounts.

If anyone has any more ideas I would be grateful even on how to pin point the problem.

Cheers

Ian

Hi Ian,

just saw your post. can't say I have this problem with my focus but I did have a similar vibration problem with my other car. It had new tyres on it when I bought it and I had them re balanced twice. On the second time I watched the guy closely. Even though machine showed it was balanced noticed that one of the wheels was slightly oval.

I think I'd be tempted to switch the spare wheel into all 4 positions and see if it goes away. Try rear ones first maybe more load on them while going up hill could explain why you feel more vibration. Especially before spending £475 on a new driveshaft.

In my past experience with engine / gearbox mounts tends to more of a clunk when you hit the accelerator.

Only a thought?

Good luck & please let us know if you ever find out the problem (so I know where to look next year, mines a 2006)!