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        General >> Problems >> Steering to the left
        
(Message started by: Butterfingers on Jan 17^th, 2006, 9:05pm)

Title: Steering to the left
Post by Butterfingers on Jan 17^th, 2006, 9:05pm

Hi,

I'm new to the forum so apologies if this question has already been answered.

Firstly I purchased my first Scorpio on Saturday. Thing I've noticed is that in order to drive in a straight line, I have to hold the steering slightly off centre to the right. The car will then drive straight nicely. Does this mean the balljoints or bushes are worn?

Secondly the temperature guage is dead, it ocassionally comes up to almost half way then goes back to cold. Is this due to dodgy soldering?

Lastly when I accelerate to about 70 mph, the car seems to shake a little and then settle down. ANy ideas what this might be?

Many thanks.

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by Geoff_W on Jan 17^th, 2006, 10:14pm

Firstly welcome

Sounds like the cheapest option might be to get the tracking and balancing checked as a start.

Could be as easy as that. Hopefully!!

Also have a look at the steering and suspension section here http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/faultfinds.htm

Geoff

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 18^th, 2006, 7:54am

hi there

what engine and is it an auto?

hth

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by Butterfingers on Jan 18^th, 2006, 9:35am

Hi,

Its a 2.3 Ultima, automatic. Previous owner had the brake pads and disks changed and balancing done. I done tyre pressures yesterday. Therefore I think the problem is a bit deeper than tyre pressures and brakes etc.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 18^th, 2006, 9:51am

hi there

things to check are.....

front and rear wheel bearings. on the scorpio, they don't make any noise untill the wheel falls off! :o

front and rear brakes for binding.

front wishbones and bushes. see http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/faults_wander.htm and
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Advice;action=display;num=1137427491

wheel alignment. if the wishbones are shot, then the alignment could/will be correct while standing. it's only on the move that the wheel moves about.

hth

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by Dave on Jan 18^th, 2006, 9:55am

Welcome to the site! ;D

Just my tuppence worth:

- get the tracking checked as a start point then go from there

- are the tyres wearing ok?

- temp gauge could be weak soldering but check that the temp sender plug is pushed fully on and that the wiring looks ok

- does it shake when you accelerate at the same revs in different gears? Or only when coming up to 70mph?

Cheers

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 18^th, 2006, 10:15am

hi there

i forgot about the temp sensor :-[

it's might be the sensor on the intake manifold. just replaced mine. think it's the grey one on the right(2 wires). BE VERY CAREFUL. it's screwed into a brass plug which is molded into the plastic manifold. give the old one a good check over first, noting the gap between the screw length. don't do what i did and screw it fully home! the brass plug ripped off! :o new manifold cost about £350 :o i fixed mine but you don't want to go down that road. @

think the sensor costs about £12. not sure as someone gave me it. :)

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by Butterfingers on Jan 18^th, 2006, 10:51am

Thanks for all the replys so far!

It only shakes when coming up to 70mphish and then it settles down. If I accelerate a bit more it shakes again and then settles down.

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 18^th, 2006, 11:01am

hi there

could be a number of things...

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/propshaft.htm or http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cattle.htm or http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/dohcloom.htm

first thing to try is http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cleanmaf.htm

then bring the car up to temp and check the gearbox level/colour. to do this, have the engine RUNNING AT ALL TIMES. cycle through the gears 3 times each (prn21 x3). then check the level on the BLACK dip stick (l/h/s). it should be at the max and be a reddy/brown colour. if it's low or black and smells burnt, then this is a bad sign.

hth

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by Butterfingers on Jan 18^th, 2006, 11:41am

Thanks again.

Wow sounds like the Mrs is going to have a field day. :-[

I'm no expert unfortuantely and I'm taking it for a service to FMD tomorrow. I'll have to get them to check it out.

Title: Re: Steering to the left
Post by mr._floppy on Jan 18^th, 2006, 11:56am

The shaking is unusual, vibration or rumble is more the description that people report when propshaft or centre bearing trouble is suspected.

I know it's a pain but , as the trouble occurs at high speed, try re - balancing all four wheels