Manual Steering?

[manbearpig]

Anybody remove the fuse for electric assist to get manual steering? Does it work like this or does the computer throw a fit?

 

[scotman]

You won't like it. My original method of disabling the traction control was to pull the F1 fuse. It disabled the T/C and nibble control as well as the ABS.
It resulted in a fiesta that steered like a cheap video arcade game. I have to presume that you can expect that outcome, plus a couple of MIL to become active.

 

[manbearpig]

I thought that might be the answer. I love the steering, just wish it was slightly heavier and get real feedback.

 

[scotman]

I feel ya. The thing about EPAS that we have to understand is that the "feedback" is fake it's a confluence of the steering assist servo and the nibble control/ ABS.
I really threw some effort at getting better road feel! The control arm bushings along with the ASB upgrades (I experienced tire slip during some autox maneuvers) and finding a limit to how much tire width is no longer beneficial to handling and actually begins to drag down the car on an autocross course. That was an eye opening discovery that day!
The tires were Hankook Ventus RS-3. 225/45ZR15 on Rota Slipstream 15X7.5 wheels.
That was the absolute limit of SCCA allowance for the Street Touring category at that time, 2012. They fit in the wheel wells perfectly fine, no rubbing. But, over the next two events I could not find a sweet spot for this setup. Various tire pressures, one event was raining on the final two runs. Found that this setup is not a good one for the wet. The overall feel of the tires was just "heavy". The steering was not crisp and the car felt sluggish through the slaloms. It did stick on transitions, but the tires didn't give a tossable feel, even if I bumped up the pressure to near 40 psi. It was very odd.

 

[manbearpig]

I'm probably not going to go that extreme with tires. I plan on staying stock size on my factory 16" wheels. Probably will switch to summer tires when the stock all-season tires wear out.

Have you used the Steeda strut tower brace? Does that help at all?

 

[scotman]

I agree on the tires! I settled on a 205/50R15 for the 2011 Fiesta. I looked at Steeda braces, and several others. I just didn't see that the Fiesta had an issue with deflection or flex in the strut towers at either end of the body tub.
I also looked at the braces available for the lower subframe, namely Pierce's range. They are nicely done and pretty lightweight, being fabricated in chrome moly. But, the basic Fiesta is just not working the structure very hard. And that structure is pretty damn rigid due to the crash worthiness engineered into it.
I am all for added braces if it fixes an issue. But there's no issue in the basic Fiesta. A heavily modified Fiesta ST might benefit from some of those things, especially if they are running full on competition tires on a very fast road course, but don't have a roll cage welded into the tub. Choices! This is where the ST version becomes very complicated and expensive. You can throw a huge amount of money and time into them and end up with a fabulously quick, track capable car that's not good for anything but track use. That version is the exact polar opposite of what the basic Fiesta is.

 

[manbearpig]

I'm just looking for inexpensive ways to make the car better. I haven't much to complain about though, I really like it as is. What is your opinion of the aftermarket transaxle mount?

 

[FiEscort]

I thought that might be the answer. I love the steering, just wish it was slightly heavier and get real feedback.

I noticed a difference on the ZX2 with polyurethane steering rack bushings. I know the Fiesta uses EPAS but perhaps aluminum or delrin steering rack bushings, that are available, might be something to look into.

 

[manbearpig]

ZX2s also are easy to convert to manual steering, pretty sure you can use a manual Escort rack.

 

[scotman]

I'm just looking for inexpensive ways to make the car better. I haven't much to complain about though, I really like it as is. What is your opinion of the aftermarket transaxle mount?

Sorry for the slow reply. End of summer was busy. I like the aftermarket lower trans mounts. I have Mountune on my 16 ST.. I also have one on my 11 SE hatchback. But i can't recall who i got it from. I know i installed it in early 2012. It is great. Adds drivetrain stability but not much vibration.

 

[Marsho.gd]

I have motegi racing rims on mine. Low profile. Grip is amazing jus need spacers to adjust the fitting

 

[manbearpig]

Sorry for the slow reply. End of summer was busy. I like the aftermarket lower trans mounts. I have Mountune on my 16 ST.. I also have one on my 11 SE hatchback. But i can't recall who i got it from. I know i installed it in early 2012. It is great. Adds drivetrain stability but not much vibration.

Do you know if the ST trans mount fits on the standard Fiesta? I compared pictures on Rockauto, they look similar but I thought you'd know for sure.

 

[scotman]

It's very possible. I have never compared! That piece was never touched after i bolted it on. I would have to go dig out the build book with all the receipt's to even find out who made it.
I do remember that I had to break apart the O.E. mount and reuse the bracket. It wasn't quite plug and play.

 

[manbearpig]

I found this one that says it fits both and is also plug and play!

https://store.awrracing.com/ford-fiesta-st-2009-2019-rear-motor-mount/

If I get one I'll probably end up with the ultra soft 62 durometer version.

 

[LionsTooth]

I found this one that says it fits both and is also plug and play!

https://store.awrracing.com/ford-fiesta-st-2009-2019-rear-motor-mount/

If I get one I'll probably end up with the ultra soft 62 durometer version.

My understanding is these have an initial softening after 500 miles or so. 62 might be too soft to start with. Your mileage may vary.

 

[manbearpig]

It seems like it will still be much stiffer than the stock unit. I'm trying to maintain a stock feel to the car overall, I'd rather not have the vibration if I can help it. I have another vehicle that is my "rough and tumble" one.

 

[LionsTooth]

It seems like it will still be much stiffer than the stock unit. I'm trying to maintain a stock feel to the car overall, I'd rather not have the vibration if I can help it. I have another vehicle that is my "rough and tumble" one.

I would like to hear how the 62 works for you. I am going to buy one after the winter, so I am curious which one is best for a good feel but not too stiff.

 

[scotman]

It seems like it will still be much stiffer than the stock unit. I'm trying to maintain a stock feel to the car overall, I'd rather not have the vibration if I can help it. I have another vehicle that is my "rough and tumble" one.

I am going to do the solid steering rack bushing install before the end of this horrible year!
In the coming months i should have a good idea of what the motor and trans mounts will look like, or at least the insulator materials.
I guess that your description of your "other vehicle" would also apply to the the Fiesta i'm gathering components for! It definitely won't be marshmallow soft!

 

[manbearpig]

I guess that your description of your "other vehicle" would also apply to the the Fiesta i'm gathering components for! It definitely won't be marshmallow soft!

Yea, my S10 has delrin bushings on the control arms, no spring insulators, the rack is solid mount, the cab mounts are polyurathane, the motor mounts are urathane filled. It's a little rough.

The Fiesta has a good ride balance between firm enough to feel what's going on, but doesn't rattle your bones. I'd like to keep it that way, maybe go with the FRPP suspension eventually.