Mk4 Intermittent steering wheel vibration

[Sash]

About 4 weeks ago I took the Clio for a spin. She had been sat for about a week as I’d been on holiday.

Jumped in the car, rolled off the driveway and it felt a bit sluggish. Check the tyres in case one was flat but they were all good. Thought it was maybe because I’ve been used to driving the 5 that is super eager to go.

Get a couple of miles up the road and open up onto the dual carriageway and shortly after I get this awful vibration which initially felt like catastrophic engine misfire or the wheels falling off. Quickly turns off the music and make peace that it’s not a misfire but something to do with wheels.

I pull off the dual carriageway into a lay-by and it was obvious by the smell and heat that my NSF brake caliper had stuck on and my disc was a lovely tinge of pretty colours. Let it cool down and away I went, that’s when I noticed the vibration, I just figured the disc was getting hot and getting bent out of shape.

Cool, no problem. I had my calipers rebuilt and thought that would be the end of it. Nope.!

Vibration is there at 65 mph But here’s the weird bit it’s not permanent. It comes and goes. My speed can stay flat 70 MPH and it will be still as anything and then gradually will start to vibrate and shake the steering wheel, it could last for 30 seconds to 3 minutes and as quickly as it starts it stops. I can’t find rhyme nor reason.

In a bid to find the solution, I’ve had the alignment done discs skimmed and I’ve also swapped the wheels for the standard ones. Skimming the discs has improved things but not eliminated it entirely. Changing the wheels did nothing.

Other things to note:

Genuine shocks and top mounts ~37k
Genuine Wishbones and ARB ~27k
Inner and outer track rods ~26k
Gearbox oil ~20k
So I’d hope it’s none of those culprits.


More knowledgeable people in my phone please help!

 

[Typhoon]

Wheel bearings ok?

My guess would be that, or something wrong with the hub.

 

[Sash]

Wheel bearings ok?

My guess would be that, or something wrong with the hub.

They are ~90k old so it’s quite possible but no play or noises to note of..

 

[npt]

Sounds brake related, recheck the calipers, check disc are running true, test master cylinder, best for this to be done on a brake test machine really if its intermittent, that's where I'd start.
Were the calipers overhauled using big red pistons, if so then that might be the issue also

 

[Sash]

Had the brakes apart the day before yesterday to do the discs all moving freely, disc spins freely by hand.

What’s wrong with big red pistons may I ask?

 

[npt]

Their pistons are coated unlike the renault ones, which then deteriorate, crack and causes them to stick, mine failed quickly after very little use, If your only getting an intermittent issue then it could be the master cylinder, it sounds to still be a brake issue

 

[Adey.]

interested on your thoughts of how the master cylinder will cause an intermittent vibration?

id be tempted to look at driveshafts

 

[Sash]

Their pistons are coated unlike the renault ones, which then deteriorate, crack and causes them to stick, mine failed quickly after very little use, If your only getting an intermittent issue then it could be the master cylinder, it sounds to still be a brake issue

I see, they’ve been on the car less than 2 week so I’d hope it’s not that!

@Adey. surely a bent driveshaft would vibrate permanently would it not?

 

[Adey.]

I didn't say a bent one, but a failing joint may vibrate intermittently. Does the vibration come from one side? I'm sure @Danith had a driveshaft issue at some point he may be able to help

 

[Sash]

I didn't say a bent one, but a failing joint may vibrate intermittently. Does the vibration come from one side? I'm sure @Danith had a driveshaft issue at some point he may be able to help

Ah, I assumed bent. Sorry.

It’s not obvious to tell which side it is.

 

[Slowpoke Rodriguez]

I know you’ve had the calipers rebuilt and discs skimmed. What about the pads? I’d be tempted to replace the pads and discs.

Interestingly I had the same issue on a Porsche. In the end it turned out to be a worn suspension components! Which only showed when warm. Weird and expensive to fire the parts cannon at to repair

 

[Sash]

I’m almost leaning towards a Sh!t damper. Reasons being it appears to aggravate when going over uneven roads or bumps.
As you say it’s just expense to fire parts at it and hope.
I’m gonna see if I can get someone to drive alongside and see if there’s any telltale shock absorber failure signs.

 

[Danith]

Yeah Mick noticed I had a little bit of movement in the outer driveshaft, up and down. It could have been that. I wasn't getting the steering wheel vibration though.

Cannot stand wheel vibration - hope you get it sorted. Be interested to see what it is.

 

[Brigsy]

If it feels like the wheels are going to fall off, prob worn driveshaft or wheel bearing. Usually get it for a range of rpm/speed.

 

[Sash]

If it feels like the wheels are going to fall off, prob worn driveshaft or wheel bearing. Usually get it for a range of rpm/speed.

It’s not that bad but just annoying!

 

[NorthloopCup]

We are going back quite some years now, but I had a similar vibration from one of my cars at around 65mph.

That turned out to be the cv boot had failed whilst I was on my journey home and all the grease had been flung out. So essentially the cv joint itself had minimal lubrication and was over heating.

The vibration would come in at 65 - but was fine at 60 or 70! But when it would vibrate, it was also pulling on the steering too. Real weird thing!

 

[Brigsy]

We are going back quite some years now, but I had a similar vibration from one of my cars at around 65mph.

That turned out to be the cv boot had failed whilst I was on my journey home and all the grease had been flung out. So essentially the cv joint itself had minimal lubrication and was over heating.

The vibration would come in at 65 - but was fine at 60 or 70! But when it would vibrate, it was also pulling on the steering too. Real weird thing!

Ive also had that on another car, cv boots s**t themselves and vibration when hot. As i was skint i fitted new boots and regreased the joints. The damage was done and they clicked on lock but i recall the vibration went so got quite a few more miles before sticking a shaft in.

Ive had a 4th gear vibration on my blue clio for 50 thou miles. Only 4th gear under hard acceleration. Feels like shaft related, but it aint bad enough to worry so when it breaks, ill fix it