Pulling / Knocking DCI

[Asylum_Audio]

Hiya, ive got a 2002 1.5 DCI 80bhp (approx 45k) with a few problems.

Its pulling to the left (has done since ive owned it, but seems to be getting worse).

I drove the car the other night, and after a slight wheelspin in the wet, one of the bolts that holds the balljoint on the passenger side decided to shear off, leaving my car pratically undrivable.

I got it home, and fitted a complete new balljoint and bolts to the passenger side wishbone, (car still to be tracked).

The car has always had a knocking vibration sound under acceleration, or mainly bumpy road surfaces from the engine area. If ever the car does wheelspin (which doesnt happen often) the engine sounds like its practically falling out the bottom of the car, its done this since ive owned it, and the car has always pulled to the left although not as bad as it seems to be doing now after a recent trip to london.

A bit of background on the car - Its been in a minor accident on the left hand side. Nothing was declared on HPI, but i can see a small low scrape under the doors down that side, and damage to the arch liner (front where it meets the front bumper).
The car aslo came with a sheet hidden in the paperwork (mot advisory sheet) saying that there is play in the steering on the n/r side.

So does anyone know what the problem could possibly be as i have a long journey to do the week after next and id rather get the car checked over with a spanner.

I will be checking engine mounts tomorrow if the weather permits, but other than that im clueless..

As for the steering, is it possible to have this repaired as ive had a search on here and i keep finding posts saying that they can be repaired with a bit of welding etc.

oh just to add, the suspension is standard renault cr*p (want to get it lowered etc, but esperate to get the car sorted first)

 

[edde]

SOunds like the engine mounts worn check them all out.

The stearing racks if that got an advisory well sorry to say this but second hand rack time there not cheap new and a bit of a pain to change unless you've ramps etc.

The easy cheap repair is for Mk1 owners only.

Stock suspension better than you'd give it credit most likly yours is broken.

 

[Asylum_Audio]

OK cheers for the info, as for the steering rack, what options have i got fitment wise..

My car is a diesel 80bhp with power steering right hand drive.

Can a steering rack of another model of clio fit, same shape clio but different spec? eg 1.2 16v

Or do i have to go with an exact 1.5 dci rack?

 

[edde]

OK cheers for the info, as for the steering rack, what options have i got fitment wise..

My car is a diesel 80bhp with power steering right hand drive.

Can a steering rack of another model of clio fit, same shape clio but different spec? eg 1.2 16v

Or do i have to go with an exact 1.5 dci rack?

You can use a 1.4 or 1.6 16V racks from memory infact any fits but the bigger engine (I can check if your despirate) use the more powerful 60Amp racks.

Just fit one from a dci its easier that way messing about you can eend up fiddling to much.

Just find out for definate what exactly got play.

 

[Asylum_Audio]

OK cheers for the info, as for the steering rack, what options have i got fitment wise..

My car is a diesel 80bhp with power steering right hand drive.

Can a steering rack of another model of clio fit, same shape clio but different spec? eg 1.2 16v

Or do i have to go with an exact 1.5 dci rack?

You can use a 1.4 or 1.6 16V racks from memory infact any fits but the bigger engine (I can check if your despirate) use the more powerful 60Amp racks.

Just fit one from a dci its easier that way messing about you can eend up fiddling to much.

Just find out for definate what exactly got play.

I will have a look tomorrow, I wouyld have looked today, but it was like typhoon weather haha, one min rain, the next it was sunny, couldnt win, so didnt chance it. If you could find out id be extremly grateful as i dont have many options if just looking for a DCI. Once again cheers for your help, really appreciate it!

 

[Asylum_Audio]

I seem to have stopped 99% of the knocking after reading a post this morning and advising to move the top engine mount forward. I did this (5min job) and it seems to have sorted that out.

While i was out there tho i seem to have found another thing or two that is a bit worrying.

I jacked the car up on the passenger side, and found the front wheel has slight movement when i force it left to right, but not top to bottom. I know this is a problem, but i cant quite remember what it means.

Also....

The driveshaft on that side of the car has a bit of play, only a few millimeters. I can pull it towards the wheel, and push it into the box. It is only slight, but the shaft on the other side is solid, with no movement, so am i right in guessing i need a new driveshaft?

 

[edde]

I jacked the car up on the passenger side, and found the front wheel has slight movement when i force it left to right, but not top to bottom. I know this is a problem, but i cant quite remember what it means.

Also....

The driveshaft on that side of the car has a bit of play, only a few millimeters. I can pull it towards the wheel, and push it into the box. It is only slight, but the shaft on the other side is solid, with no movement, so am i right in guessing i need a new driveshaft?

Nope shaft sounds fine a little plays isn't bad.

The front suspension will have a little play depend how bad it is you'r moving the rack away.