Handling Still Up To Par???

[Kip2MyLou]

So my question is are they any ways to see or check that your ST's handling is still as good and tight as the day it rolled off the dealership lot? I don't know if there is a certain test or trick to see if you're steering is still tight.

I'm still learning about car dynamics, this being my first deeply modded car, so I just wanted to see if it's possible. Like is the steering wheel off center is still right? Or anything like that?

I don't quite know if that makes sense, but if so I'd appreciate any input on how to make sure your ST is still handling like the monster it is.

 

[tjd_tdi]

So my question is are they any ways to see or check that your ST's handling is still as good and tight as the day it rolled off the dealership lot? I don't know if there is a certain test or trick to see if you're steering is still tight.

I'm still learning about car dynamics, this being my first deeply modded car, so I just wanted to see if it's possible. Like is the steering wheel off center is still right? Or anything like that?

I don't quite know if that makes sense, but if so I'd appreciate any input on how to make sure your ST is still handling like the monster it is.

Hmm, there are really only so many wear components on the suspension, and they should last 10s of thousands of miles, even with hard driving.

The steering wheel off center issue is probably alignment related. A reputable mechanic with the right equipment can do an alignment check.

An easy test for some of the common wear items is to jack up one corner of your car, put your hands at 9 and 3 and try to shake the wheel back and forth. Then, put your hands at 12 and 6 and do the same thing. If there is a lot of play, your tie rod ends or ball joints may be worn. Again, these shouldn't wear out super quick.

The other thing to check is all your boots and seals. Typically, things like ball joints or CV joints won't wear out quickly, UNLESS their boot somehow gets torn and they start losing grease/lubrication. So, again, you'd jack your car up and feel around each of the boots. If they are split, then it's probably time to replace either the boot or the part.

 

[scotman]

Thats a very open ended question...

Under normal commuter use and hauling average cargo and passengers, the O.E. struts will be pounded out by 35k. I observed noticeable loosening of stock front ASB endinks as well. The upper strut bearing did fare better than I expected by 35k.But, if you drive on rough, dirt roads and whack a lot of potholes this stuff will fade sooner. The ball joints in the basic Fiesta are tiny. I used an injection needle on my grease gun when I first knocked the suspension apart because they did not have much factory grease in the boots.So, they have held up well. But ball joints and control arms should be replaced by 75k if you want that tight/sharp handling. The arm bushings and joint will loosen and deflect by that mile point. The rear suspension is way simpler. If you haul a lot of people or stuff, the stock dampers will retire from the fight by 35k. By that 35/40k point you will want to do a close inspe MVction of brake pads and rotors all around.Unless you do track events and hard driving. Then you should Inspect them prior to and after EACH event. To be fair. If a fist owner wants to maintain a high level of sharpness to their fiestas handling over the long term, they should upgrade components asap. You will be happier over the long term. Otherwise, your fiesta ST WILL become a pounded out, sloppy beater. The same fate any bimmer or ponycar that is used hard will face. Wanna guess how long the steering linkages will hold up?

 

[eleven]

Under normal...

...will hold up?

I'm coming from the Miata world were the unibody wears and the drivetrain & PPF stays sharp forever. My experience with MacPherson strut FWD layouts is the front end steering and suspension begin going numb within 10k miles. The fist is holding up very well tho.

What components would you upgrade in order of importance if you want your fist to hold up to a pounding on real world roads? TIA

 

[me32]

Car handle good still at 35k miles but tires are the weak link due to just being worn

 

[scotman]

I'm coming from the Miata world were the unibody wears and the drivetrain & PPF stays sharp forever. My experience with MacPherson strut FWD layouts is the front end steering and suspension begin going numb within 10k miles. The fist is holding up very well tho.

What components would you upgrade in order of importance if you want your fist to hold up to a pounding on real world roads? TIA

Struts and shocks replace with O.E. or performance aftermarket. ASB end links with new or adjustable aftermarket. ASB frame bushes with O.E. or poly aftermarket. Ball joints are serviced with the control arms. Tie rod ends replace with O.E. You get the idea. Things don't really go numb. They become loose. I also think wheel bearings will become an issue for many fiestas that are driven hard or tracked, because torque vectoring really builds heat in the hubs. That does affect bearing life somewhat.These are my predictions based on my experience so far.