Handling issues

[Lee2525]

My clio over the past month has started misbehaving, it feels wobly at speeds above 50mph and kinda moves sideways when going over potholes or cateyes, it also drifts occasionally towards the kerb. Since this I've changed top mounts, wheels, tires, had tracking done and replaced the rear dampers, where should I look next? It started a week or so after changing the dog bone mount could that cause this?

 

[Eddie555]

Have you checked:

Wishbone bushes
Bottom ball joints.
Track rod ends inner and outer
Steering rack bushes
Play in the steering column


Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk

 

[New2RS]

Check all of the above.
Did you upgrade the dog bone to a black series bush or purple? Sometimes upgrading in one area can expose worn or weak bushes in other areas.

 

[Lee2525]

Have you checked:

Wishbone bushes
Bottom ball joints.
Track rod ends inner and outer
Steering rack bushes
Play in the steering column


Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk

I've checked them visually and seen nothing alarming, it does clunk occasionally on the drivers side front. But the bushes all look OK when had it on a ramp earlier

 

[Lee2525]

Check all of the above.
Did you upgrade the dog bone to a black series bush or purple? Sometimes upgrading in one area can expose worn or weak bushes in other areas.

I upgraded to the purple, oh I see could a worn engine mount cause steering issues

 

[OssPoop]

You say the bushed etc all look OK but if they are the originals they most likely aren't and adding more resistance at one point will enhance the weakness in another. I'd start collecting parts for a full suspension refresh.

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

No engine mount wont give those issues. I'd say the most likely culprit is a worn bottom end ball joint.

 

[New2RS]

I think I’d focus my attention on the list eddie555 posted rather than engine mounts but it’s good practice to check the lot.

 

[New2RS]

Also, LOOKING at bushes won’t tell you much about there condition. If you have use of a ramp you need to get hands and pry bars against these areas to see movement.

 

[Lee2525]

You say the bushed etc all look OK but if they are the originals they most likely aren't and adding more resistance at one point will enhance the weakness in another. I'd start collecting parts for a full suspension refresh.

Haha great more expense, I'll start pricing them all up now. it was handling perfectly before I put it on wish I hadn't bothered now

 

[Lee2525]

No engine mount wont give those issues. I'd say the most likely culprit is a worn bottom end ball joint.

I'll check them later thank you

 

[Lee2525]

Also, LOOKING at bushes won’t tell you much about there condition. If you have use of a ramp you need to get hands and pry bars against these areas to see movement.

Thank you for the advise I'll pop back to my partners dad's on Monday and have a proper go at them

 

[Usr117063]

 

[Usr117063]

Solid rack bushes, rack doesnt move at all now. Powerflex was moving..

 

[bozothenutter]

Solid rack bushes, rack doesnt move at all now. Powerflex was moving..

Yup....i had Powerflex black.
Apparently I so strong I can squeeze the bush out of the mount either side....

 

[Lee2525]

Also, LOOKING at bushes won’t tell you much about there condition. If you have use of a ramp you need to get hands and pry bars against these areas to see movement.

I've had a look could the anti roll bars be the culprit as the inner rubbers look quiet cracked

 

[New2RS]

I've had a look could the anti roll bars be the culprit as the inner rubbers look quiet cracked

Well in any case it sounds like they need changing. Have you grasped the wheels and checked for any movement in any direction?

 

[Lee2525]

Well in any case it sounds like they need changing. Have you grasped the wheels and checked for any movement in any direction?

Yeah no movement at all, the only other thing I can think is when I had the top mounts done the garage snapped a spring because the nut was seized so they replaced the spring for free could it be the one spring is old and one is new

 

[New2RS]

Yeah no movement at all, the only other thing I can think is when I had the top mounts done the garage snapped a spring because the nut was seized so they replaced the spring for free could it be the one spring is old and one is new

Me personally, I’d never replace one spring without doing the other but I’m unsure if there would be any major effects from what they have done.
Do the arb bushes, eliminate them as they need doing anyway. Test the car and look to the next area if needed.

 

[Lee2525]

I know I didn't plan on it myself either haha OK thank you for the help I'll order them now

 

[Lee2525]

Me personally, I’d never replace one spring without doing the other but I’m unsure if there would be any major effects from what they have done.
Do the arb bushes, eliminate them as they need doing anyway. Test the car and look to the next area if needed.

Just a quick one my mate just said could the garage gave put the wrong spring on the car as mine is cup packed, would putting a normal 182 spring on make a difference?

 

[New2RS]

Just a quick one my mate just said could the garage gave put the wrong spring on the car as mine is cup packed, would putting a normal 182 spring on make a difference?

I imagine it would make a difference as there are differences in spring rate between the two. There should be coloured markings on the springs, check that they match.

 

[OssPoop]

There's a good chance they have put the wrong spring on. Ask if they have the part number for what they fitted. Iirc cup springs are quite expensive from renault now @renaultpartsdirect ?

 

[Lee2525]

There's a good chance they have put the wrong spring on. Ask if they have the part number for what they fitted. Iirc cup springs are quite expensive from renault now @renaultpartsdirect ?

I'm fitting some lowering springs today so they all match hoping this cures the problem we noticed it looks slightly wonky the drivers side being slightly higher which I'm sure can't be good for handling haha

 

[OssPoop]

Longer spring on drivers front = pikey corner weighging. At least when you've got your new set on that'll be one thing to cross off the list .