Help Guys......tracking / steering feel

[R3OBC]

ok, as a few of you may know, some bell-end hit my car at the weekend. My wheel was hit across the face and scuffed. My steering was slightly off-centre after this. I have had my bottom arm examined (not a very thorough inspection though) and was told that all the bushes were in allignment, so no thought of a bent bottom arm.

I then went off to my Laser tracking place to have the car tracked whilst all this sh*te is being sorted out. So, the tracking has been done, steering wheel now points straight etc, although i have -.1 degree camber on drivers side, and -.5 degree on the passenger - take note. Now, the steering feels sharp to turn, but when going down the road straight, it feels heavy! almost numb when going straight. I know the new clios (minus 172) have electronic speed sensitive steering. I have checked my tyre pressures, so they are matched. The tracking is apparently all ok, the toe etc......

So, when going down the road it feels heavy, and if im going down and turn the wheel slightly, it stays at that angle, and the car just goes that way. Shouldnt it try to straighten up??? i put all this down to being paranoid, knowing that the wheel had been knocked, but i am 95% CERTAIN that it was miles better, lighter, and easier than this before this incident!

Any views on what can cause heavy steering and the likes guys??? The car is due for its service soon, so im gonna book it in at Renault and get them to look at the suspension and steering, this should not be a problem should it?? Please advise guys as i am totally fed up at the moment and want to sell it!! (only cause i aint washed it for ages and dont want to wash the accident damage off) Please remind me why we love them.........

Rob

 

[steve_rt]

lol rob i know how you feel mate, i have a banged up side of car which has been like it for 9 months now while i try to claim off the other driver.

but in the last heavy snow / ice i lost control and kerbed my front drivers wheel on the kerb. hard. bent the subframe (only a bit though so still have it) and replaced the lower arm and bushes and both wheel bearings. same as you, tracked and all, but im paranoid that the car feels different now to what it did, tho i think its impossible to feel the same after a smash like that, the chassis must absorb some of the damage?

youll feel better about it tho mate when its repaired, thats what i keep telling myself

 

[R3OBC]

......just pisses the hell out of me mate!!! even more so due to it being someone else who done it!!! company car drivers with attitudes!

 

[Chris_H]

probably got a bent strut, shifted subframe thats causing the camber to be out and yes this will affect steering weight.

 

[Fred@BTM]

bent strut by the sound of it £47 from renault

(take the strut off and try slide the shock in and out, if its hard to do its knackered) i bent one about 6 moths back

 

[R3OBC]

cheers guys, as long as its all sorted i dont care!!!!! I hate the fact that someone else has caused all this grief! i could cope better if it was my fault! Maybe i can get my mate to charge for a 60mm kit? lol

 

[R3OBC]

...could be onto something there guys!!!! I have just been out to take the stereo front off, gave the car a rock and its solid as f**k!!!!! hmmm.....like i say, it steers straight, and is sharp, just feels stiff......and my 40mm lowered suspension never used to feel so stiff when i rocked the car!!! i shall mention that to the garage whenever / wherever it goes!!!

Many thanks guys!!