Knocking suspension?

[Mk2Luv]

Hi everyone,
I'm not really lucky enough to be a true Cliosport owner - I just have a 1998 1.4 Alize - but I love it! and this is the best Clio forum - and I'd like to share a problem with you experts.

There's a clunky knocking noise (love these descriptions!), more from the drivers side, that sounds like the suspension. It's only when going over speed bumps, or rough tarmac. On a smooth road it's silent, and the same round corners (at speed), i.e. it's all very tight and in good condition. I know it's not the usual suspects, as I keep this car in very nice working order, and recently replaced the driveshafts and wheel bearings (a rumbling noise had appeared when going round corners). All bushings are in good condition too.

This noise appeared gradually about 1000 miles ago, and is now slightly concerning, although the car drives very well - you wouldn't know there's a problem if it wasn't for the noise.

If I wobble the front wheel hard enough with the car on the ground, there is definately something loose, and the top of the strut, along with rubber disk seems to have side to side play, and wobbles with the wheel when I shake it. It also sticks out about 2 inches with wheels on the ground, and the disk then rests on the inner wing with wheels jacked up. Is this normal for a start?

Local Renault garage/Haynes manual tells me nothing. But is it possible that as the spring gets older, you need to tighten down the strut, so that the top spring mounting gets closer to the bottom mounting? Or is it possible for the strut top mounting bearing/bushing to become worn and allow play? I'd be happy to replace either the springs or mountings, if required. Is this a normal problem on clios?

Many thanks in advance, Ben.

 

[edde]

Hi everyone,
I'm not really lucky enough to be a true Cliosport owner - I just have a 1998 1.4 Alize - but I love it! and this is the best Clio forum - and I'd like to share a problem with you experts.

There's a clunky knocking noise (love these descriptions!), more from the drivers side, that sounds like the suspension. It's only when going over speed bumps, or rough tarmac. On a smooth road it's silent, and the same round corners (at speed), i.e. it's all very tight and in good condition. I know it's not the usual suspects, as I keep this car in very nice working order, and recently replaced the driveshafts and wheel bearings (a rumbling noise had appeared when going round corners). All bushings are in good condition too.

This noise appeared gradually about 1000 miles ago, and is now slightly concerning, although the car drives very well - you wouldn't know there's a problem if it wasn't for the noise.

If I wobble the front wheel hard enough with the car on the ground, there is definately something loose, and the top of the strut, along with rubber disk seems to have side to side play, and wobbles with the wheel when I shake it. It also sticks out about 2 inches with wheels on the ground, and the disk then rests on the inner wing with wheels jacked up. Is this normal for a start?

Local Renault garage/Haynes manual tells me nothing. But is it possible that as the spring gets older, you need to tighten down the strut, so that the top spring mounting gets closer to the bottom mounting? Or is it possible for the strut top mounting bearing/bushing to become worn and allow play

Springs seat isn't adjustable.
Top mounts can wear you'd need a fair few miles or curb hitting etc to do it though IMO. I'd check the bottom ball joint is good as they can wear terribale.

Tigthen the top mount nut under the bonnet though. might just have loosened a bit.

 

[Mk2Luv]

Thanks Edde.
Just read a recent reply by Eevo to the 'New Suspension Fitted' thread that says:
"knocked to buggery when taking sharp right handers Made a knocking/clunkig noise."
This was his answer as to why he'd replaced the top mounting.

My car's done about 90k so I guess these top mountings could be worn due to normal wear and tear. The bottom ball joint is fine - checked all ball joints many times.

You mention tightening the mount nut. I've got the basic type mounting, where there's just a single large round hole in the inner wing, a large rubber disk that sits over the hole, large metal cup washer on top, a 21mm nut and the top of the strut's threaded shaft that has a female 6mm hex socket at the end. The nut is very tight, and has not loosened at all - I'm not sure if you meant this one - I know that 16V top mounts have other nuts, but mine only have the one. It's this rubber disk/washer/nut that lifts off wing when the wheels are on the ground.

But it *was* tightening this nut that I was curious about - as I thought it may clamp down the mountings against the spring - but you've already said that these seats are not adjustable.

So which bit can actually wear out? - I'm not even sure what Renault spare part I need to order. Is it possible that the strut shaft itself is worn?

Sorry for all the questions - I really appreciate the help.

 

[edde]

My car's done about 90k so I guess these top mountings could be worn due to normal wear and tear. The bottom ball joint is fine - checked all ball joints many times.

You mention tightening the mount nut. I've got the basic type mounting, where there's just a single large round hole in the inner wing, a large rubber disk that sits over the hole, large metal cup washer on top, a 21mm nut and the top of the strut's threaded shaft that has a female 6mm hex socket at the end. The nut is very tight, and has not loosened at all - I'm not sure if you meant this one

Yep was on about this one


So which bit can actually wear out? - I'm not even sure what Renault spare part I need to order. Is it possible that the strut shaft itself is worn?

Sorry for all the questions - I really appreciate the help.

Struts usualyl go soft before they leak.
Yep sounds like top mount then ie the rubber bung but at 90k might as well change the bearing as well.