Problem with steering?? Bump Steer??? Car pulling

[Mister_G]

Hi All,

Told you I'd be posting again before long!!

I've had this problem since buying the car over a week ago, and it doesn't feel to serious.

Here is what is going on;

• The steering wheel has to be turned slightly to the right at all times (tracking is spot on, and has almost new tyres all round, directionals at the back and normal tyres at the front)
• The car steers slightly to the right most of the time, if i let the car drift to the centre of the road, when it touches the right line it turns its self back to the left, not violently.
• If you go over a dip in the road, like where a bridge is joined to the road and the entire surface becomes lower (when your doing 30ish) the wheel subtly pulls to the right.
• When on rough road surfaces the steering feels very loose, and gently pulls left and right, but more so to the right.
• Sometimes, when gently braking, the car moves to the right.

Sorry it's kinda hard to explain whats going on.

Kwik Fit checked the tracking, and informed me it was spot on. They said that my track rod ends were stiff. My mechanic informs me that they're meant to be stiff??? I NEVER listen to Kwik Fit in terms of repairs because I know what they're like!

Also, the brakes aren't as sharp as they should be, it had new pads and discs not to long ago so I'm going to be having the brake fluid changed.

Sorry about the essay, has any one else experienced this problem?!

Cheers

 

[.Ben.]

Track rod ends could be dead?

New fluid, braided lines and *decent* pads will transform the brakes!

 

[Mister_G]

So it could be them... I took the wheel off at the weekend with the view to putting the spare on just to make sure the tyres ok, but the a*** that I bought the car off put a space saver in the boot which doesn't fit!! lol Anyway whilst it was jacked up I had a poke around in the wheel arch and everything seems ok but I don't really know what I'm looking at! lol

Couple of friends are very handy with cars, would track rod ends be something we could get done at the weekend? Pads and fluids are something I could bribe them to do as well

 

[.Ben.]

Pads and fluid are easy. Get yourself an Eezibleed (£12 on eBay).

TRE's are pretty straightforward too.

Look in the GUIDES section, you may find what you're looking for.

 

[oVerboost.]

I had a similar problem with my 172, and it turned out to be the rear shock absorber had failed... Replaced that, and all was well again. Jack up the rear and push the wheel upwards towards the body, if there is resistance that shock is working correctly if it feels "loose" with less or no resistance it needs a new shock.

Hope you can find what the problem is...

 

[Mister_G]

Thanks for all the input. Was quite bad tonight. I'll take a look at things over the weekend and keep the thread updated.

Thanks!

 

[oVerboost.]

Just remember to resist the urge to put your foot down on the loud pedal until you've found the problem lol

 

[Mister_G]

Just remember to resist the urge to put your foot down on the loud pedal until you've found the problem lol

Lol yeah I am finding that hard. But so far so good! Lol

 

[Mister_G]

Me again...

I was looking at the reflection of my xenons in traffic this morning and noticed that the car looks like it is lower on the left?! I checked it almost everytime I was behind someone and it looked the same... I realise it could be the camber of the road but if there is a suspension spring gone or something could that be the cause of all these problems??

Would measuring the gap between my wheel and arch give me an idea of whether something is wrong with the suspension??

Thanks guys!

 

[m4rkie23]

How much are track rod ends?

 

[Mister_G]

How much are track rod ends?

Kwik Fit quoted me £40 a side plus fitting, and a Renault Specialist I use near where I live quoted about £170 for both sides fully fitted, another Renault Specialist near where I work quoted £160ish.

They all look fine, but if it were cheaper I'd get them done anyway as I know they're prone to going on Clios.

 

[m4rkie23]

Yeah thanks!! I think my may have gone cuz ive got very similar problems as the OP. I'll get it checked out.
thanks!!!!

 

[m4rkie23]

Had anyone got the Renault Part Number?

 

[Mister_G]

OK... I've been to three Garages, had my tracking checked twice, had cv joints, ball joints, track rod ends etc... checked and no one can find ANYTHING wrong with it!!!!

I am getting a tad disheartened... the car drives fine and seems to handle ok but it's a but un-nerving when you overtake someone on a dual carriage way and the car jerks to one side... also still appears that tracking is way off, both garages said that it is SPOT ON, not even a mil out!

Any other ideas!?

Thanks

 

[Jonff]

What width are the tyres? Also is there any un-even wear on the tyres?

When mine was running 215 width tyres, I suffered similar symptoms as you, trying to drive down a narrow bumpy road was a nightmare and if I planted the throttle it'd tramline on to the wrong side of the road.

 

[Mister_G]

Hi mate,

running 195/45/R16. The previous two mechanics have both said how cheap the front tyres are. They were only put on about a month ago by the previous owner, they have no uneven wear. Thinking of getting a set of toyos though.

Can't afford any right now though :-(. Thanks for the input I'll let you known it makes a differenece.

 

[Dunn]

sounds like you have a leaking rear shock
check this first as this will cause all your symptoms that you have
just pop off the rear wheels an you will see if its leaking straight away

 

[Mister_G]

Cheers mate. Definately FEELS like a front end issue but I'll check it!! I was thinking about this today and it makes sense. I'll post when I've checked.

 

[James.f]

Kwik Fit quoted me £40 a side plus fitting, and a Renault Specialist I use near where I live quoted about £170 for both sides fully fitted, another Renault Specialist near where I work quoted £160ish.

They all look fine, but if it were cheaper I'd get them done anyway as I know they're prone to going on Clios.

Btw THATS way to much, i payed £38 for both side's from a motor factors, and then fitted them myself,

 

[Mister_G]

Btw THATS way to much, i payed £38 for both side's from a motor factors, and then fitted them myself,

Cheers for the heads up. Luckily they're ok and I've not been ripped off lol.

 

[Mister_G]

Problem 90% solved, although I had been told by two of the four garages I've been to that they've checked the tyre pressure... they clearly hadn't!!

Front drivers side wheel was 25.5 psi, and....... get ready......... passenger side was 63.5 psi!!!!!!! It's almost completely removed the issues I was having, I think the rest is down to really cheap tyres which, once i've got some money i'll replace!!

 

[Mister_G]

Hi all,

took my car to Specialized Renault Services in Nuneaton and asked them to check EVERYTHING. They found that the rear axle bushes had split. These have been replaced and I'm currently sat at Britannia Tyres getting the tracking redone.

This seems to have resolved MOST of the handling issues. Not driven it with good tracking yet obviously. I think the remaining problems are down to me having crap Tyres.

Just thought I'd post an update!

 

[Mister_G]

Hi All,

After tracking was done, didn't really notice a difference. Back end is still to lively!

However, had new front tyres on today which has really kicked the front end in to shape! I am planning on getting new rears maybe next month!

I've checked shocks time and time again and there are no leaks, I think I'm just going to have to get used to it.

After speaking with 4/5 cliosport owners I think it's just how they handle?! It's by no means as bad as it was since the rear axle bushes were changed.

Thanks for everyones help and sorry about the MASSIVE delay in posting an update.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I had very similar issues when I first got my 182. The car had 3 Michelins nearing the limit and 1 brand new budget tyre. I replaced all 4 and stuck on brand new Michelin PE2s all round and the problem was pretty much gone.

It's still a little lively under acceleration and on bumpy roads but I've put this down to Clio sports in general now rather than anything in particular with my car.

 

[Mister_G]

Yeah my mates had a few now, they're pretty highly strung!

Need to get the budgets off the back and get some decent part worn performance tyres on there. Then in a few months get 4 brand new decent tyres. Pretty pleased with it now, since putting the front tyres on all the snatching etc... has stopped! The roads near where I live feel like they were made by trained monkeys so it's probably why I notice it so much!!

All in all, it's finally sorted!