2010 Ford Focus Vibrations

ADAMSBRIAN88

MEMBER
2010 FORD FOCUS
2.0L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
85,000 MILES

When driving downhill or coasting especially near highway speeds I get a strong vibration in my steering wheel I can also feel it in the pedals. If I accelerate or the road flattens out the vibration goes away. It feels different than a vibration at idle like a motor mount problem, I suspect it's more like a suspension/ alignment/ wheel bearing/ maybe brake problem. I'd be open to any ideas or suggestions before I look at taking it to a mechanic.

3 Replies

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

That's weird. You can feel it in both the steering wheel and pedals. Both brake and accelerator? (Clutch?) While braking lightly? It could be a warped rotor. Does braking lightly make it go away or get worse in the brake pedal?

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015 AT 1:23 PM

ADAMSBRIAN88

MEMBER
5 POSTS

It's an automatic. As soon as I brake the vibration reduces quite a bit. I should've been more clear in my explanation, it not like the vibration feels like it is coming from the brakes but the vibration is bad enough if I have my foot touching either pedal I can feel it, not as strongly as in the steering wheel. Tires are still in good shape and proper pressure

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015 AT 2:11 PM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Ok. Two things to check, one you can do, the other you'll need to pay for:
1: Lift the front end evenly. Start the engine and have someone sit in the driver seat and hold the steering wheel steady. Placing your hands on the front and rear of the driver side front wheel, push and pull on the tire like you're trying to force it into a series of S-turns. Have the person holding the wheel tell you if they can feel what you're you're doing and if you're having any effect on the steering wheel. This will check for loose inner and outer tie rods, rack and pinion play, and rack and pinion assembly looseness, all of which can cause a vibration in the wheel that is also bad enough to feel in the pedals.

2: Take it to a tire shop and have the wheels balanced.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015 AT 2:18 PM