- #240 of 309
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Re: 2005 Focus SES Alignment Problems [mrsdoni]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Jul 31, 2007 (5:39 pm)
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Replying to: mrsdoni (Jul 31, 2007 11:03 am)
I still think that whoever is doing the alignment doesn't know what they're doing. The only other explanation would be a bent frame, but then the car would not align in the first place. Have you ever been hit? Do you know the car's history from Day One?
I don't think 65K on tires is the norm anyway, so you were very lucky on the Explorer. If you are in the San Francisco area I can recommend an alignment shop that knows their business and would be able to get to the bottom of this very annoying problem.
it would be helpful to see a photo of the tire wear patterns. Some types of wear are not actually alignment issues, such as "cupping" (suspension) or center-wear only or two-sided edgewear (inflation issues).
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- #241 of 309
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Re: 2005 Focus SES Alignment Problems [Mr_Shiftright]
by user777
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Jul 31, 2007 (8:16 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 31, 2007 5:39 pm)
i agree, it seems to me the tires may be cupping.
this may help
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53702
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- #242 of 309
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Should I buy a 2003 Focus?
by danzigdan
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Sep 01, 2007 (5:21 pm)
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Replying to: blackbja (Mar 21, 2007 6:45 am)
Are 2003 Focus models considered "past the hump" of many of the problems that plagued early Focuses? I really want a wagon with the 2.3 engine (I'm in NY so they are available here).
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- #243 of 309
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Re: 2005 Focus SES Alignment Problems [Mr_Shiftright]
by mrsdoni
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Sep 01, 2007 (6:31 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 31, 2007 5:39 pm)
Thanks for your reply Mr_Shiftright
Since my last post, I have taken my Focus to another tire shop in town and purchased 4 new tires.... they are soooo quiet compared to the old set!!
They said that the "cupping" issue is probably due to the suspension and that another customer with a Mazda Protege (same suspension as my SES Focus) had the same problem. They recommended a 'harder tire' instead of the high performance tires which are 'softer'.
Every 5k miles, I will get them rotated (it's free! Yay!) and will get the alignment checked at the same time. Hopefully, these will wear out evenly...
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- #244 of 309
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UPDATE
by randomness
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Sep 01, 2007 (6:36 pm)
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Replying to: randomness (Jul 31, 2007 1:35 pm)
Brought my car back and went on a test drive with the guy. He felt something off too and said it was shakey but the alignment was fine. Turned out to be the balance because of a bent wheel. So for some reason they took my front wheel off and put it in the back so of course it's still bumpy and messed up. (Also, already had tires rotated so now I'd have one old front in the back and an old back tire..) It still sucks on bumpy or unpaved roads and I feel every bump I hit. I'm surprised I haven't been pulled over yet for drunk driving because of all the swerving I do now to avoid potholes and bumps. I had to stay around 60 on the highway the other day because it was so irritating.
If I didn't have to get out of there fast, I would've just asked for a wheel replacement. So I'll be doing that next.
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- #245 of 309
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Re: 2005 Focus SES Alignment Problems [mrsdoni]
by comanchero1
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Sep 07, 2007 (6:42 am)
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Replying to: mrsdoni (Jul 31, 2007 10:09 am)
Hello Mrs Doni, I have a similar story. I bought my daughter her first car, she makes the payments. A 2006 Ford Focus. This will be the THIRD SET of NEW TIRES !!! And its only 48K miles. I didnt realize it happen so fast thjat the REAR TIRES were wearing out. A Firestone dealer told me that he had a customer with only 8K miles and the REAR TIRES wore out too. Theres a problem with the REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT on the Ford Focus. And by the way I had the best GOOD YEAR TIRES that money could buy!!! The Attorney General of Florida (MR. BILL) doesnt seem to be pressing the LEMON LAW ISSUE. The dealer BEV SMITH FORD, of WEST PALM BEACH, wants to push it off as a MAINTENANCE PROBLEM, as so does the FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER CARE...and that was established before I have even taken the car in to have it inspected!!! THIS PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TIRE ROTATION !!! It's the cambers, and a new kit would probably solve the problem, and unfortunately the dealers dont want to "annie up" to cost!!!
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- #246 of 309
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Re: 2005 Focus SES Alignment Problems [comanchero1]
by user777
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Sep 07, 2007 (12:28 pm)
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Replying to: comanchero1 (Sep 07, 2007 6:42 am)
i think a few posts back, i provided a link to someone's experience posted on another site where hardware replacement at the rear locations was required.
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- #247 of 309
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Re: 2005 Focus SES Alignment Problems [comanchero1]
by mrsdoni
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Sep 07, 2007 (2:37 pm)
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Replying to: comanchero1 (Sep 07, 2007 6:42 am)
Hi Comanchero1.
Yep. I've had two places tell me the rear suspension is faulty. I wish Ford Motor Co would offer to replace it.
The best of luck with yours!
Doni Marie~
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- #249 of 309
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When to replace Focus struts?
by 0311vn
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Oct 16, 2006 (11:44 am)
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My 01 Focus has 72K on it. I'm wondering if it is time to change the struts as it sometimes seems to have a bit of a wobble at high speed.
Does the Focus have struts or shocks?
I also notice that it has a squeak in the suspension when I get in and out.
If I need struts/shocks should all four be replaced together. What am I looking at to replace two or all four?
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