Aaron76

Hi,
apologies if this is in the wrong place - this is my first post!

I wonder if anybody could possibly advise me as to the cause of my woes, I own a '99 UK spec Focus Ghia. I've driven the car for around 6 months with no real problems, however during December I started to notice a barely audible squeak/rasp coming from the steering column. This progressively got worse and I managed to get a Ford dealer to inspect it; after a few frustrated trips back and forth trying to find the problem they nailed it down to a faulty clock spring (which was causing the rasp) and a bearing in the steering column. Thankfully these two were changed under the warranty.

I've had the car back and I've noticed its still not totally cured. Every so often I can hear an odd squeaky fizz coming from the steering, if I'm on a roundabout with my wheel at say half a turn and I'm holding it, as I restore the wheel back to its normal position - I get a raspy squeak.

I've tried this when stationary, if I replicate the half-turn as on a roundabout (hold it for a few secs and then restore to the normal position) it squeaks. I'm puzzled, I don't know whether its the clock spring again or something is rubbing inside the steering column. The only way I can describe it, is as some kind of fizzy rasp.

Help! I'm getting to the point where I want to trade the car in :(

Aaron, UK

chevaps

i think i get the same sound. Mine sound comes from the power steering pump when i turn the wheel. If this is the sound, theres nothing to be worried about.

Tom

Zetec

mine's lowered, i get the same thing... although it's somewhat self inflicted...

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Aaron76

Over time the noise has reduced somewhat (partially I believe to the warmer weather), but its still making odd buzzy noises. I'm almost thinking its the movement of the clock spring but I can't see how, failing that I think it could be down to air in the power steering or the belt needs replacing.

I really am beginning to loathe this car which is a shame because it drives superb.