need advice

thesaharastyle

hi just wondering if anyone can help me for last two days my battery light is on and my steerin wheel is shaking as i drive? just wonderin is this a big job or something small as i,m hopin to get a new car soon dont want to spend loads gettin it done oh forgot to say i only got new battery few weeks ago
thanks

E39MSport

Hi,

what make/model/year?

trad

Sounds like your alternator / power steering belt has come off.

If the power steering belt was off the steering would be very difficult to use, very very very heavy.

thesaharastyle

its a ford focus estete 99 the steering is not heavy just steerin wheel shaking i was just wonderin i slid in d ice christmas morning and my front wheel hit d footpath dont know if that had anythin to do with it cause i didnt drive it for 3 days after tat and battery light has been on it since thanks for ur advice in advance

Muckie

The tracking might be off after giving it a hard enough bang.
Ball joint possibly damaged .
Worth getting checked out as your front tyres will wear that much
quicker. As for the battery light coming on, this time of year
sharp frosts effect batterys alot more. Best to get your car checked
out.

If you gave the car a smack I would agree that the tracking or part of the suspension has been damaged which is making the wheel vibrate. The battery light means that it isn't charging properly from the alternator, the diode pack may have been damaged in the impact. I'd get the car to an auto electrician as soon as possible as the battery won't last long if it isn't being charged. As mentioned the alternator belt may have been damaged too but it's unlikely, you never know though.

congo_90

Its actually not tracking. I'd be inclined to think it's the balance. Tracking involves the direction of the wheel and angle. balance is when the wheel is not true anymore from an impact such as the op.
I'd avoid driving the car except to a reputable mechanic. If it's only balancing then its not too expensive.
As for battery light. Now there's something more serious.
It means the car is relying soley on its battery which is good for maybe 5 miles of driving. Make sure to switch off all electrics unless necassary including lights,radio, heater/demister etc.

As the OP did not mention that the vibrating wheel only occurs at a particular speed I would think it is not the balancing that needs attention.

congo_90

Fair point. Just assumed that when a car is moving with a vibrating wheel its usually balancing issue. Of course it could be far worse but I always like to start on the simple side. Could very well be wishbone in which case its not safe.