05 Focus ZX3 anyone?

[TopDeadCenter]

Get camber bolts for the rear suspension. The "acceptable" range for the rear camber on the focus was too great. Something like 0 to 2 degrees. At anything past 3/4 or 1 degrees will chew up the inside of the tires. However, the alignment tech will tell you everything is peachy when their machine tells them it is under 2 degrees. Thes bolts are available from a few places like Tire rack and perhaps Autozone. Sometimes called crash bolts.

TDC

PS: I was going to try and sell you a set of snow wheels/tires until I spotted your location.

[monkeyfez]

Originally Posted by TopDeadCenter

Get camber bolts for the rear suspension. The "acceptable" range for the rear camber on the focus was too great. Something like 0 to 2 degrees. At anything past 3/4 or 1 degrees will chew up the inside of the tires. However, the alignment tech will tell you everything is peachy when their machine tells them it is under 2 degrees. Thes bolts are available from a few places like Tire rack and perhaps Autozone. Sometimes called crash bolts.

TDC

PS: I was going to try and sell you a set of snow wheels/tires until I spotted your location.

Can you tell us more about the camber bolts thing? I Love my focus but I'm getting really tired of new tires every 9 months.

[Grainbelt]

My ZX5 doesn't see a lot of miles but it runs great and gets really good mileage. With the AC off it is reasonably quick.

I was in a similar position a couple years ago and all the imports were stupid expensive, high-mile, auto trans commuter beaters. My first 'merican car, and so far I like it.

[TopDeadCenter]

Originally Posted by monkeyfez

Can you tell us more about the camber bolts thing? I Love my focus but I'm getting really tired of new tires every 9 months.

There are a number of places to get them. Here is two.
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...08&autoModClar=
http://www.fswerks.com/ford_focus_camber_kits.htm

The bolt replaces the outer bolt on the upper control arm. It has a cammed head that when turned moves in a slotted (by you) hole alowing the camber change. You must also adjust the rear to when doing this but that adjustment is available already.

Here is a how to:
http://forums.focaljet.com/suspensio...ber-bolts.html

TDC

[Dukeryder]

2005? Buy it!

Seriously Ford had really ramped up their QC by '05 and had been building the Focus for 7 years so the kinks were ironed out. I drove a ZX-5 for a week and loved it.

[Brad Felmey]

.

[NICO]

Good move Sniper. Now black out ALL the windows. White car with black windows is perfect.

[Uncle Pollo]

Originally Posted by Sniper X

I drove it, and bought it. Got him down to $4000,00 and a large coke from Whataburger....I really like it but have already decided to upgrade the speakers to Boston separates and add an Ipod dock. I love the power from such a basic motor, has ther Ztec DOHC 2.0 with 135hp, with the 5 speed it is decently quick. more so than a stock 1.6 civie for sure! Plus this car feels so much more planted than the Civics I drove.

Oh ... you sonofabish!

2 litre ... lots to power to tap out of that.

Small turbo should get you there.

Sure as shit it is more planted!

189 foot pounds of torque in that little feller.

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by NICO

Good move Sniper. Now black out ALL the windows. White car with black windows is perfect.

Got the limo tint appointment tomorrow at 1100hrs.

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by Maccoul

They are good cars with well proven drive trains. Rotate the tires every 5000 mi and you will get good milage out of them. after about 03 the bugs were worked out and recalls went away. Now you just need the fart can and 18" wheels....and mud flaps so you look all rally cool

But I am putting the SVT focus wheels on it....

[Sniper X]

Here she be.....

[taranaki]

Originally Posted by Sniper X

But I am putting the SVT focus wheels on it....

SVT suspension kits can be had for a song. Made mine go-cart like. Yours might not have a stabilizer bar or mounts out back. I have mounts I'll give you if you want them.

[taranaki]

Originally Posted by Sniper X

But I am putting the SVT focus wheels on it....

FWIW you can buy a rear suspension sub frame with camber adjusters and sway bar mounts (oem welded on).

One thing: watch the valve cover for oil leaks. The thermostat housing will crack (and leak) if oil soaks the seal beneath it.

Another thing: the original ignition locks (pebbly surface) often fail. If key insertion/removal starts getting sticky get it to an automotive locksmith before it fails and has to be hacked out. If he knows what he's doing he'll replace it with an F-series unit (smooth surface). A triple-A Plus membership will get you a discount big enough to pay for itself.

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by taranaki

SVT suspension kits can be had for a song. Made mine go-cart like. Yours might not have a stabilizer bar or mounts out back. I have mounts I'll give you if you want them.

Has front and rear bars. I'll jump on a Focus board and seek a stock SVT suspension....good call. Have spring compressor and the skillz yo!

[Sniper X]

So I filled it to the brim two days ago, waited till I had 106.5 miles on it and this morning it only took 2.4 gallons of go juice, what is that? Like 43MPG!!??