I have a ford focus 2008 1.8 diesel. I am having a small issue with my steering. At times it appears to be very stiff. Usually when Im coming into a small corner at a bit of pace it appears very stiff. Or also when Im starting the car and need to turn immediately it appears stiff and slightly difficult to turn. Can you please assist?

What year is this Focus? First you need to work out what the "Clonk" is. Is this clonk only as you turn or does happen when you hit pot holes? The most common reason for a steering/suspension noise is one of the joints on the system. Get the bottom ball joint, the track rod ends and the drop links looked at.
If your car is before 2011 check the fluid level in the power steering. After 2011 they changed to electric power steering. Sometime the stiffness is that easy to fix. If you need to top it up only fill to the MAX line. After topping it up, With the engine running, turn the steering all the way to the left then all the way to the right and repeat it 3 or 4 times. This bleeds the system.
If the joints are all OK you need to look at the actual steering rack.

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Timing Belt & Water Pump Replacement : Water ... - YouTube

? 4:11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRHa0LJR9HA
Dec 7, 2008 - Uploaded by expertvillage
This is my first timing belt change on my 2005 Toyota Sienna; and I am .... just switch my cam sprockets backwards and upgrade my 2.0 to a 2.4.

It may, depending oln the temperature of the engine. A cool night could bring engine temp down low enough to require some pre heat, for example.

There was an issue with the steering in that 04-11 focus... let me see if I can find the problems they've had for you.

Ford Focus fuel pipe leak (2004-2011 cars)
Cars built between July 2004 and February 2005 could have had problems with their fuel return pipes leaking. The pipes were made from material that degraded over time, allowing fuel to seep out.
Ford Focus wiper motor problem (2004-2011 cars)
On early second-generation cars built between April 2003 and March 2005, there were issues reported with the wiper motor. Water could enter the motor through the arm spindle, and if it contained salt, could short-circuit it and cause the motor to overheat. This could lead to trim melting around the motor.

Ford Focus engine failure problem (2004-2011 1.6 TDCi cars)
1.6 TDCi Focus models built between February and June 2004 might have problems with their engines, causing them to cut out. Misaligned oil feeds between the cylinder heads and camshaft bearings reduced oil flow, causing premature wearing of the camshaft bearings and engine seizure.
Ford Focus brake pedal problems (2004-2011 cars)
Cars built between November 2005 and December 2006 could have developed problems with their brake pedals. In particularly cold weather, the pedal could become stiff, as the non-return valve in the pump began to stick.
Ford Focus roll-over protection problems (2004-2011 CC cars)
On some Ford Focus CC models it was found that there were issues with the roll-over protection system. Securing bolts holding the system in place were either loose or not fully tight. Therefore the protection would not be fully effective. Ford should have fixed this for free, so make sure the work has been carried out.
Ford Focus cooling fan problems (2004-2011 1.6 TDCi estate car)
On some Focus 1.6 TDCi estates built between July 2004 and December 2006 there were problems with the cooling fans. Where roads are particularly salty, corrosion could easily occur, reaching as far as the control module. In extreme cases this could cause it to overheat, which could lead to fire.
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On some Ford Focus models built between February and April 2007 there were problems with the rear hub bolts. They could come loose because they weren't made to the correct design specification.
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Ford Focus models built between April and May 2008 could have had problems with their power steering. Some of the hoses fitted were not to the required specification. The hoses could degrade and allow hydraulic fluid to seep out, which could either cause the power steering to fail or, in more extreme cases, cause fire when the fluid became hot.
Ford Focus risk of fire problem (2004-2011 cars)
Hatchback and estate 1.6 TDCi Ford Focus models, manual and automatic, built between January 2006 and January 2007 may have a risk of fire unless they've had their cooling fans checked. Salty roads could lead to corrosion, overheating and fire if not sorted.
Ford Focus water leaks (2004-2011 cars)
On second-generation cars, some owners have reported water leaking into the cabin. Check any sunroof or window seals before you buy. Also look for damp carpet inside, because it could have become mouldy if left untreated.
Every one of these issues should have been remedied by Ford for free, so make sure the work has been carried out.

Mr.Mangus have you checked at all your front suspension struts,shock absorbers,or lower wishbones with bushing and ball joints? I had recently a diesel ford focus 2007 with similar case and both front wishbones were replaced due to ball joints and bushes and then sent for steering alignment. Vehicle drive excellent. Please check.

im quite sure this will be the power steering fluid leaking, IF the coolant level is staying full. check level of steering fluid its a reddish colour but can become pink when leaking and mixed with water etc. hope this helps

Heavy as in ,stiff steering?
Not usually the pump. It's only money.
Lets go with a worn steering rack,after you check out the strut bearings,being worn/stiff etc.

There are 2 things that cause power steering to go stiff. The power steering pump itself either from failure or "lack of fluid" and the rack and pinion assy under the car.
Most of the time the failure is the power steering pump itself. The teflon rollers fail inside the pump and it either stops providing an output pressure or it seizes up. You can loosen the power steering pump belt then try to rotate the pump by hand. It should move by hand. If it feels like it is intermittently locking up as you rotate, it the teflon rollers have failed and the pump will need to be replaced.

Thanks for using FixYa.

Kelly

its apossibility that when you got new top strut mountings fitted it might be fact that it will be like new & you are not used to it also not having power steering you might be feeling the effects what i would suggest you do is continue to drive itnormal & see if it eases of if this doesn't sound like problem & stiff through column or steering rack let me know because not been able to feel it its hard to tell thank you.

could be alot of things but first guess would be your belt is slipping/ loose. Your belt would run your power steering and alternator (batt light), dampness could jump be contributing to make the belt slip a little. I would definitely advise you have it looked at though because if you loose your power steering and alternator when you are driving it can be a very scary situation. hope this helps :)