Diagnosis Help

[vernonator]

Need some help with a problem before I take it into the shop - would be nice to point them in the right direction. Putting this under Suspension because thats what it KINDA feels like, though it could be Tire related.

Lately the steering/ride of my SHO has gotten a bit "vague". Steering is not as precise, it tends to pull to one side for a bit, ride straight, pull to the other. At 60+ mph I get a very light but fast vibration in the steering - this stays all the way past 80mph. My TP is spot on, tires are Cooper Zeon RS3-A's with about 30K on them (two years old). I recently had the front strut mounts replaced - but it was fine for months after that.

Any ideas? Could this be related to the Power steering recall (I have not had that done yet)?

Mark

[Brucelinc]

Worn tie rod ends? 

[SHOdded]

Could def be the EPAS, but like Bruce said, have the suspension bits been checked out?  Also the wheel speed sensors, and ABS tone rings if any, could be rusted/cracked/broken.  May need to change the EPAS module though, which I BELIEVE sits in the steering column and is not serviceable at least per the FSM.

Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) System

The Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system consists of the following components:

• Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) — the PSCM controls the functions of the EPAS system and communicates with other modules that are on the High Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN) bus. The PSCM is attached to the RH side of the EPAS gear assembly and is not available separately for service.
• Motor — the EPAS gear uses a 12-volt reversible motor to control the steering effort. The motor is connected to the steering rack by a toothed belt and a pulley/bearing assembly. The motor is used by the PSCM to move the rack inside the gear housing. Motor position is used to determine steering wheel angle/position instead of using a separate sensor. The motor is attached to the RH side of the EPAS gear assembly and is not available separately for service.
• Steering shaft torque sensor — the steering shaft torque sensor is used by the PSCM to determine how much force the steering wheel is being turned. The sensor sends out 2 signals, one for left and one for right. When the steering wheel is turned to the left, the left signal increases while the right signal decreases, likewise when the steering wheel is turned to the right, the right signal increases while the left signal decreases. This allows the PSCM to determine if the driver intends to go left or right in order to spin the motor in the appropriate direction. The sensor is mounted near the input shaft of the EPAS gear assembly and is not available separately for service.
• Inner tie rod — one inner tie rod is located at each end of the EPAS gear assembly and is available separately for service. Refer to Section 211-02 .
• Outer tie rod — one outer tie rod is located at each end of the EPAS gear assembly and is available separately for service. Refer to Section 211-02 .
• EPAS gear bellows boot — one bellows boot is located on each side of the EPAS gear assembly. Each boot is held in place with 2 boot clamps. The boots and clamps are available for service, refer to Section 211-02 .
• EPAS gear isolators — there are several rubber isolators (one at each attaching point) on the EPAS gear assembly. These isolators aid in reducing NVH concerns and not available separately for service.

The EPAS system utilizes a rack-and-pinion type steering gear. Power assist is provided by a motor that is connected to the steering rack by a belt and a pulley and bearing assembly. The steering gear and motor/module are serviced as an assembly. A new steering gear includes inner tie rods, however, the inner and outer tie rods can also be serviced separately. For information on tie-rod end service, refer to Section 211-02 .

[ZSHO]

I would just make an appt for the power steering recall asap IMO,the dealer should also perform a complimentary multi-point inspection afterwards and should update you on what else needs to be changed,Any codes set? C1B00?also if you have warranty would just put her back to stock for precautionary measures.  Z

[BiGMaC]

I would just make an appt for the power steering recall asap IMO,the dealer should also perform a complimentary multi-point inspection afterwards and should update you on what else needs to be changed,Any codes set? CB100? also if you still have warranty just put her back to stock for precautionary measures.  Z

Agree entirely Z.... Failure to service could be a recipe for disaster, even if it's tires. This is not unlike symptoms I had when a new tire was starting to separate.

[vernonator]

Had that on the list - for those that have had the Power Steering recall done does it require the dealer to reflash? Want to make sure I am back to stock if it does.

Thanks all

Mark

[ZSHO]

I think you might need to put it back to stock based on the recall procedure.  Z  Actions: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning recall #15V340000 » Check to see if you have any Codes as mentioned earlier,if not maybe Fords more advanced obd  readers will.  Z

[vernonator]

It ends up the lower tie-rod ends are worn and have scalloped the front tires a bit. Combination led to the squirrely handling. At the shop now getting repaired, on MY dime. Seems my 3rd party extended warranty thinks tie-rod ends are a wear item and will not cover them unless they fail completely....nice.

Not overly impressed with the longevity of the Cooper Zeon RS-A's I am running, less than 2yrs old (put on in May '13) and they are already in the yellow treadwise and seem to have worn pretty easily with the tie-rod ends being loose.

Any recommendation on other All-season perf tires?

[SHOdded]

Great they found the culprits, sad the warranty won't cover it   Ford ESP does cover tie rods starting with BaseCARE, but not sure what exclusions would apply.

For all-seasons:  Continental DWS/06, General GMax, Pirelli Cinturato P7
For summers:  Michelin Pilot Super Sport is still the leader, I think, and Goodyear F1s if you can find them

[glock-coma]

I'm running the gmax
Pretty happy with them.

[r1crusher]

Running the DWS06's and very pleased so far.

[vernonator]

Great they found the culprits, sad the warranty won't cover it   Ford ESP does cover tie rods starting with BaseCARE, but not sure what exclusions would apply.

For all-seasons:  Continental DWS/06, General GMax, Pirelli Cinturato P7
For summers:  Michelin Pilot Super Sport is still the leader, I think, and Goodyear F1s if you can find them

Yeah I made the mistake of not getting the Ford ESP (will not make that mistake again). They would have covered the tie-rod ends if they had failed, just not if they were worn.

I have a set of 18" Blizzaks on the garage wall that I ran the first two winters when I had the stock F-1's on. I may just go that route again, get a good summer tire  and put the Blizzaks on for the winter.

[SHOdded]

Over here in MD, the weather's been so variable, deciding on a dedicated tire has been tough!  With all the rain coming down today, I am happy to stick with the all-seasons I have on right now

[DakotaSHO]

I've ran the General Gmax's for about a year now. They handle the snow like a champ, never left me stuck once, even coming home from work on unplowed streets after a 12" snowstorm this year!

[FoMoCoSHO]

I've ran the General Gmax's for about a year now. They handle the snow like a champ, never left me stuck once, even coming home from work on unplowed streets after a 12" snowstorm this year!

I forget what their UHP all season used to be called but I loved them. They were superb in the dry, absurd (read awesome) on wet streets, and acceptable in the snow. Sadly they wore like crap and I couldn't get more than 12K out of 2 sets. (They paid half of the 2nd set)

If they've fixed that issue I would definitely consider them.