Steering play (valver)

[peterh2]

Hi,

Just got my new valver from Paul Mitchel at Infinicar must say im very happy with it and paul seems a top bloke.

There is a fair bit of play on the steering wheel was just wanting to know how to find out what needs to be replaced I assume it is either the power steering rack or the track rod ends but is there an easy way to find out which?

Thanks

 

[cliosportcraig]

neither !!!!! either replace the column or weld it up !!

no joke !! its the rubber bush in the column that causes the play

 

[peterh2]

Any idea how much that will cost me (approx) and where I will best be getting it done? My local renault dealer?

 

[cliosportcraig]

lol !! either weld it up yourself, or buy a new column and fit that yourself, they are REALLY easy to do mate !!

 

[peterh2]

OK, I have never done any welding so will have to buy a new column any idea on prices from Renault?

 

[Rasclart]

I have the same Problem

Is a new column really that easy to fit???

 

[cliosportcraig]

http://forum.cliosport.net/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=6&TopicID=78718&PagePosition=27http://forum.cliosport.net/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=6&TopicID=78718&PagePosition=27

yes a new column can be fitted in an hour

 

[u33db]

Id expect to pay about 50-70ish quid for a weld if you can find a garage thats willing to do it in the first place which is kinda unlikely up here as theres no specialists and theyd be worried about come-back if it fails.

I think new columns are about 160ish from renault but as i said on saturday, paul could probably sort you out with a low-milage s/h unit for under a ton. After that, its just a case of fitting it - if you want i can give you the number of the garage that does all my work (including this very job in the past) so you know theyll get it right. Theyve done so much to my car, theyre about the most knowledgable place youll find near aberdeen!!

What ever you do, do not take it to renault as labour and parts are astonomical!

 

[peterh2]

u33db : yes please give me the number you got any idea what they charged you to change yours?

 

[cliosportcraig]

new columns are £136 from renault which is a rip off mate !! have it welded up, mines as solid as a rock now as HAS will verify i was taking islands on 2/3 wheels yesterday !!

Dont you know anyone who can weld it really is an easy job, unbolt the column take it out, weld it up and replace it !!

 

[cliosportcraig]

http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1080927582__DSC00017.jpg

before

 

[cliosportcraig]

http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1080927516__DSC00021.jpg
after

 

[peterh2]

Wonder if a local bodyshop would do a simple weld on it if I took it out and then showed them exactly what I wanted to be welded? Might give a few a ring later.

 

[Adams_16v]

i couldnt get my column out, iv since read u need to have the engine out ideally to get to it fully, i cannie understand how you got it out so easily craig??

anyway, mi old man welded mine yesterday for me, proper top job, steering is sweet as a nut now, and the weld looks proper solid, so should be ok.

Cost - £0 and took 10mins with the column in the car!

 

[u33db]

Cant remember how much off hand as they had an extra bit of work with it as the s/h column i got from paul still had an ignition barrel still in it but no keys to remove it - they had to drill this out before transferring my one across. If you tell paul or whatever source youre using to do this before you get it it should be fairly cheap but i will check the exact price i paid when i get home tonight for you.

As foir the garage, its called AW Autotech and its on the spital (here > http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&db=pc&addr1=&client=public&addr2=&advanced=&addr3=&pc=AB243HU&quicksearch=AB24+3HU+&cidr_client=nonehttp://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&db=pc&addr1=&client=public&addr2=&advanced=&addr3=&pc=AB243HU&quicksearch=AB24+3HU+&cidr_client=none). You could try going in to speak to them about the welding route (using the pictures/info posted by cliosportcraig) and see if theyd consider it, otherwise the replacement column will be starightforward enough. If you mention "mr brown with the clio 16v" theyll know who your on about ( ) and be able to give you a rough estimate etc for the work....

As i said, ill check that price later for you so youve got a bit extra info.....

 

[cliosportcraig]

the column is SIMPLE to remove !! few bolts inside, one in the engine bay (under the gaitor) and roberts your mothers brother !!

can all be done in the car but its much easier out !!

 

[Adams_16v]

is the bolt under the gater accessed from inside the car? i was looking from inside the engine bay, and under the car!

 

[cliosportcraig]

you need to take the gaitor off inside the engine bay and undo the bolt from inside the engine bay

 

[BUTRE]

Its better to weld the damn thing since if you get a new colum from renault it will suffer from the same problem latter someday. Besides, its cheaper this way

btw, its not that simple the procedure since the rubber its so hard to get it into the right place.

Here it is mine MIG welded.
http://img2.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Perception/pics/8b668c9f.jpg

http://img2.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Perception/pics/2451bed3.jpg