CLIO 172, Steering Issues

[j333]

Hi,

Recently my Clio has started to pull to the right when driving around right hand bends. Basically you turn as usual but when you reach a certain angle of corner it suddenly pulls you accross to the right and if you're not holding on tight, it would pull you accross the entire road. The problem only happens around right hand corners and happens at low speeds and is obvisouly worse at higher speeds.

I took my car in to get MOT and mentioned this problem, the car passed its MOT and the mechanics couldn't diagnose any problems with steering, shocks or suspension so I'm now scratching my head as there is definately a major problem but no-one seems to know what.

Has anyone had this happen to them or can any one offer any advice?

Thanks

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Check the tyre pressures, and then assuming they are correct (or close enough) get the tracking checked.

 

[KevF182]

It sounds like the type of behaviour that you get when a lower arm ball joint is worn in the front suspension.

MOT testers vary in their ability to induce the movement that might be there when the car is on the ground and suspension loaded up, so don't take an MOT pass to mean the car is without faults (the riggours of the test relating to suspension joints are arguably more suited to 1981 than 2011).

Are there any other symptoms of suspension problems such as:
knocks, creaks or groans?
uneven tyre wear?

 

[Struggler]

sounds like what mine did when i was running far too much camber!

 

[Sash]

It sounds like the type of behaviour that you get when a lower arm ball joint is worn in the front suspension.

MOT testers vary in their ability to induce the movement that might be there when the car is on the ground and suspension loaded up, so don't take an MOT pass to mean the car is without faults (the riggours of the test relating to suspension joints are arguably more suited to 1981 than 2011).

Are there any other symptoms of suspension problems such as:
knocks, creaks or groans?
uneven tyre wear?

This afaik will let you know when mine gets changed if it makes a difference... funnily enough mine does it turning right too, mainly on motorway on long sweeping right handers...

 

[j333]

Thanks for the responses.

The tyre pressures are fine, there's no excessive wear and no obvious noises, clunks or groans and it had laser wheel alignment / tracking done as part of the MOT so still at an end to what it could be.

Jengis: Interesting, I'll speak to Renault about this and see what they say.

Struggler: One of the mechanics did touch on about the 'Camber' but I honestly couldn't see this when he was showing me. How did you get yours tested and fixed?

Sash: This is exactly when mine is at its worse, long sweeping right bends on motorways. Did you get yours fixed and if so what was the problem and more importantly how much did it cost?!?

Cheers again.

 

[Sash]

Not yet, I haven't got my car atm... My bro has got it. When I get it back I should hopefully get it fixed!

 

[Kemix]

Not yet, I haven't got my car atm... My bro has got it. When I get it back I should hopefully get it fixed!

So sorry to dig up a 3 year old thread but this is exactly what the clio 172 I just bought is doing! Did anybody get this fixed? What was it? How much did it cost? This needs sorting as it is very dangerous.

Thanks

 

[Sash]

Mine improved dramatically when I replaced all the suspension bushes and ball joints on both sides. Then unfortunately it got written off!

 

[MG cup]

Replace both lower suspension arms. It sounds like either the arms are worn out or the bolts have elongated their fixing points and are causing a geometry change when the steering is loaded up.

Circa £60 a side from Renault and they come complete with ball joints. An hours work a side for home mechanic to fit or an hours labour in a garage. You'll need the tracking redone after this too circa £30.

And Pure Mororsport do a washer kit to repair the elongated holes on the subframe.

 

[Kemix]

Replace both lower suspension arms. It sounds like either the arms are worn out or the bolts have elongated their fixing points and are causing a geometry change when the steering is loaded up.

Circa £60 a side from Renault and they come complete with ball joints. An hours work a side for home mechanic to fit or an hours labour in a garage. You'll need the tracking redone after this too circa £30.

And Pure Mororsport do a washer kit to repair the elongated holes on the subframe.

Thats great thankyou. I have around £300 spare to sort this issue out, is this being realistic? I will be taking it to a garage.

 

[MG cup]

Yeah that's more than realistic, make sure to take it to a specialist if possible as they will take the least amount of time, probably know what to look for and will get cheaper parts than other places.

 

[Kemix]

Yeah that's more than realistic, make sure to take it to a specialist if possible as they will take the least amount of time, probably know what to look for and will get cheaper parts than other places.

That's what I like to hear thanks. Well lets hope I don't need a whole new steering rack because that's got to get expensive. I will try to hunt down a specialist in my area. Got to get this sorted Monday as driving to work is like a gamble with my life. Thanks for your help buddy.