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Car techs need some help.

C

compuwiz1

Admin Emeritus Elite Member
Car is 04 Mustang GT with about 26k miles on it.

A couple weeks ago, it seems like the powersteering has almost no assist at low speeds and takes more effort for parking, etc.

Worse is the that it seems like every variance in the road is controlling the steering wheel, instead of me controlling it. It will suddenly try and vear right or left, after crossing a slight dip in the road. On the freeway, it just seems like I constantly have to drive the car, just to keep it going in a straight line. I had the wheels aligned, but to no avail.
It has the factory Goodyear tires, which are ZR rated. I've heard some say those tires can cause wierd driving characteristics, pulling, etc. They have plenty of tread left, as I have had them rotated regularly.

I hate taking it to the service dept, if it's a tire problem, so I wonder what gives. BTW, I no longer work at a Ford dealership, so that's inconvenient. Plus warranties don't cover diagnostic time, unless they find a tangible problem. Any ideas?

I'm sensing a steering rack problem myself.
 
Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Car is 04 Mustang GT with about 26k miles on it.

A couple weeks ago, it seems like the powersteering has almost no assist at low speeds and takes more effort for parking, etc.

Worse is the that it seems like every variance in the road is controlling the steering wheel, instead of me controlling it. It will suddenly try and vear right or left, after crossing a slight dip in the road. On the freeway, it just seems like I constantly have to drive the car, just to keep it going in a straight line. I had the wheels aligned, but to no avail.
It has the factory Goodyear tires, which are ZR rated. I've heard some say those tires can cause wierd driving characteristics, pulling, etc. They have plenty of tread left, as I have had them rotated regularly.

I hate taking it to the service dept, if it's a tire problem, so I wonder what gives. BTW, I no longer work at a Ford dealership, so that's inconvenient. Plus warranties don't cover diagnostic time, unless they find a tangible problem. Any ideas?

I'm sensing a steering rack problem myself.
Click to expand...


steering rack shouldn't have problems at 26K

That being said, considering it's a ford... you never know. Our taurus had to had the tranny dropped 2x at 5 and 8K miles because the tranny speed sensor died (2x).
 
I have a 99 and all I can suggest is that you check your levels and smell for burning, see if you've got a flat, take a quick skim through your haynes and then head to the most trustworthy mechanic you know

sorry man... mustangs suck 🙁 :thumbsdown:
 
Some ZR rated tires will tend to grab every little crack and groove in the pavement and follow them. I doubt it's a problem with the rack at such low miles...

IIRC, the GY's they come with suck hardcore..

Have there been any suspension modifications?

Edit:

How are the tires wearing? Is the PS pump leaking at all, or making more noise than usual? When you are at idle, and low speeds, parking for instance, does it seem like turning the wheel is putting a larger than usual drag on the motor?
 
Just edited. It almost sounds like bump steer...but if it hasn't been lowered/modified, you shouldn't have that...
 
Is the PS pump leaking at all, or making more noise than usual? When you are at idle, and low speeds, parking for instance, does it seem like turning the wheel is putting a larger than usual drag on the motor?
Click to expand...

No leaks that I can find. No drag on the motor, either. Noise seems about normal for a Ford.

BTW, the car is amost so squirrely to drive, it almost doesn't seem safe
 
How about belt noise? It could be something binding in the rack..like an inner tie rod problem...but with only 26K, you shouldn't be having that. Have you checked the PS steering fluid level?

I suppose it's posible the PS pump is going, but that would be highly unlikely. The fact you have trouble at low speeds makes me think that..but with such a new car...that is very unlikely. It would be getting loud also...


I would be surprised if this was the case, but I've seen gunk from the steering system clog the pressure hose, and keep the pump from putting out the full pressure to the rack, but again...at such a young age...unlikely.
 
check your PS fluid (usually linked with brake fluid) and your suspension.. if yoru suspension is leaking it will do that.. or spring is broken..

Mine does it now after 100K, hit a bump it deflects a bit (ford focus), its the suspension in my case..
 
Well, I better just take it to the shop and have a tech road test it. I hate to bear an expense if I don't have to, but will, if needed. It might be those friggin GY tires too.

What to put on next, if it's the tires?
 
Originally posted by: compuwiz1

What to put on next, if it's the tires?
Click to expand...

That car comes with 245/45/17's right?

Some reasonably priced tires that offer better performance than your GY's are these BFG's...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp...BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+T%2FA+KDW

Or these Kuhmo's are also good...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+MX

I've always loved the Dunlop SP8000's...but they don't make them anymore...

I'll prolly go with one of those when my current 8000's wear out...

 
Thanks for the info Insane!
I might just go and get this horse some new hoofs tomorrow, then see what happens. I like fresh new rubber anyhow, so generally buy tires before I actually need them. 🙂
 
No problem. I'm the same way...and most Z rated tires are so soft they have to be almost worn out with 26K on them...

🙂
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
No problem. I'm the same way...and most Z rated tires are so soft they have to be almost worn out with 26K on them...

🙂
Click to expand...

My Potenza RE730 Gen2's lasted like 75,000k, they were a very stiff tire.. (hard rubber)
a Z rated tire can't be too soft, or it'd never be able to handle 149+ mph at sustained speeds.
 
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: Insane3D
No problem. I'm the same way...and most Z rated tires are so soft they have to be almost worn out with 26K on them...

🙂
Click to expand...

My Potenza RE730 Gen2's lasted like 75,000k, they were a very stiff tire.. (hard rubber)
a Z rated tire can't be too soft, or it'd never be able to handle 149+ mph at sustained speeds.
Click to expand...

Ummm...no. I'm glad yours did..but 75K out of a Z rated tire is HIGHLY unlikely. Also, the higher the speed rating..the SOFTER the tire. Harder tires are what can't handle speed..they can't get rid of the heat fast enough.

This is well known man...no offense..

Do a quick search of the RE750's on Tire Rack...looks like the 730's aren't available anymore. Most people get 17K - 27K out of them...75K...I'm calling BS unless you like bald tires...
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: Insane3D
No problem. I'm the same way...and most Z rated tires are so soft they have to be almost worn out with 26K on them...

🙂
Click to expand...

My Potenza RE730 Gen2's lasted like 75,000k, they were a very stiff tire.. (hard rubber)
a Z rated tire can't be too soft, or it'd never be able to handle 149+ mph at sustained speeds.
Click to expand...

Ummm...no. I'm glad yours did..but 75K out of a Z rated tire is HIGHLY unlikely. Also, the higher the speed rating..the SOFTER the tire. Harder tires are what can't handle speed..they can't get rid of the heat fast enough.

This is well known man...no offense..
Click to expand...
sorry, 75,000km
but i did take care of the tires, no burnouts or anything.. the softer good year eagle RS-A tires on my car, which are much softer compound, and lower rated, lasted much less than my 730's did. I dunno what to tell ya, the 730's were a very stiff tire, very harsh, but very grippy, and they lasted a long time. those are some of the best tires ever, they are just really loud (road noise)

 
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: Insane3D
No problem. I'm the same way...and most Z rated tires are so soft they have to be almost worn out with 26K on them...

🙂
Click to expand...

My Potenza RE730 Gen2's lasted like 75,000k, they were a very stiff tire.. (hard rubber)
a Z rated tire can't be too soft, or it'd never be able to handle 149+ mph at sustained speeds.
Click to expand...

Ummm...no. I'm glad yours did..but 75K out of a Z rated tire is HIGHLY unlikely. Also, the higher the speed rating..the SOFTER the tire. Harder tires are what can't handle speed..they can't get rid of the heat fast enough.

This is well known man...no offense..
Click to expand...
sorry, 75,000km
but i did take care of the tires, no burnouts or anything.. the softer good year eagle RS-A tires on my car, which are much softer compound, and lower rated, lasted much less than my 730's did. I dunno what to tell ya, the 730's were a very stiff tire, very harsh, but very grippy, and they lasted a long time. those are some of the best tires ever, they are just really loud (road noise)
Click to expand...


Ahh..k..that makes sense. I think you are confusing a stiff sidewall (good) with a hard tread (bad)... If they are grippy, they aren't hard...

Harder tread...last longer..grip less. Softer tread...grip better...last less...

Ever notice you don't see any mileage guarantees on performance tires?
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: Insane3D
No problem. I'm the same way...and most Z rated tires are so soft they have to be almost worn out with 26K on them...

🙂
Click to expand...

My Potenza RE730 Gen2's lasted like 75,000k, they were a very stiff tire.. (hard rubber)
a Z rated tire can't be too soft, or it'd never be able to handle 149+ mph at sustained speeds.
Click to expand...

Ummm...no. I'm glad yours did..but 75K out of a Z rated tire is HIGHLY unlikely. Also, the higher the speed rating..the SOFTER the tire. Harder tires are what can't handle speed..they can't get rid of the heat fast enough.

This is well known man...no offense..
Click to expand...
sorry, 75,000km
but i did take care of the tires, no burnouts or anything.. the softer good year eagle RS-A tires on my car, which are much softer compound, and lower rated, lasted much less than my 730's did. I dunno what to tell ya, the 730's were a very stiff tire, very harsh, but very grippy, and they lasted a long time. those are some of the best tires ever, they are just really loud (road noise)
Click to expand...


Ahh..k..that makes sense. I think you are confusing a stiff sidewall (good) with a hard tread (bad)... If they are grippy, they aren't hard...

Harder tread...last longer..grip less. Softer tread...grip better...last less...

Ever notice you don't see any mileage guarantees on performance tires?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was quite surprised the 730's lasted as long as they did, but that is why I praise them as a tire... they lasted a while, AND performed amazing both in the dry and wet...

If you ever end up noticing a car that has a 730 tire on it though, push into it, it's a stiff feeling tire... (and i do mean even the tread).. my Fuzion ZRI tires that I have now are not as stiff as the bridgestones felt, and they also don't grip as good as the 730's did.. I am not disagreeing with you, but I honestly was shocked too at how well they performed for a hard-ish feeling compound tire....
 
Originally posted by: CraigRT

Yeah, I was quite surprised the 730's lasted as long as they did, but that is why I praise them as a tire... they lasted a while, AND performed amazing both in the dry and wet...

If you ever end up noticing a car that has a 730 tire on it though, push into it, it's a stiff feeling tire... (and i do mean even the tread).. my Fuzion ZRI tires that I have now are not as stiff as the bridgestones felt, and they also don't grip as good as the 730's did.. I am not disagreeing with you, but I honestly was shocked too at how well they performed for a hard-ish feeling compound tire....
Click to expand...

I hear ya. Some tires just do better on some cars, and how you have your supension setup, how you drive the car, how often you rotate them are all variables. The fact you got over 40K miles on a Zrated tires is pretty good, and definately not the norm.

High Performance Tires

High Performance tires typically have Speed-Ratings of "H" or higher; although, tire companies have developed Entry-Level performance Tires that exhibit "S" & "T" Speed-Ratings for the people that want only the "look" of Performance.

In order to maximize the most handling from a tire, the High Performance tire tread widths are wider than a typical "All-Season" and "Touring" tire. This allows Maximum Contact Area with the road surface. In this case, Wider is Definitely Better! The tread Pattern incorporates larger tread blocks for increased Stiffness. The tread compound is usually softer than a typical "All-Season" and "Touring tire, in order to provide more Dry Traction Capability. Faster Treadwear (less tread life) is generally observed in High Performance tires, because of the better Dry Traction Capability. Racing tires are an extreme example of High Performance tires; exhibiting MAXIMUM Dry Traction & Grip with a significant reduced Treadwear Life.
Click to expand...

I think what you interpreted as a "harder tire" is more in the overall greater stiffness HP tires have over normal passenger tires. The tread blocks are stiffer, and the sidewalls are too. The actual compound itself is much softer though...allowing for more dry traction.

The Potenza RE's have always been a great dry traction tire, but with a very soft tread...most people don't even get more than 25K miles out of them...you did very well.

🙂
 
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