Supension Noise... Any Ideas?

[Justin182]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question before i head to renault.

I often get a squeaking noise coming from the front driver's side wheel arch and i'm guessing its the suspension. It happens when going over speed bumps or un-even road surfaces and is more frequent soon after starting the car strangely.

I'm off to renault for a warrenty job on my shock and was wondering if i should point them in some sort of direction as we all know renaults level of competence.

Thanks guys

Jus

 

[GazCB]

Hi I've been getting a similar problem recently. I took a renault technician out in it and he claimed he couldn't hear anything but I didn't want to book my car in. (just one full month without booking my car in, please god, please). Well I think I finally found the cause this morning! A few times when it's been cold I've had a noise sounding like an angry cat from under my bonnet as i first pull away. So I stopped, lifted up the bonnet and looked into the engine bay while turning the steering wheel to see anything out of place or to hear where the "cat" was trapped. Well, well, well. I could see a disc at the top of my suspension spinning as I turned the wheel. It'd turn the other way when I turned the wheel the other way too. This black disc is abot 2 1/2 inches in diameter. It looks rubbery but is quite hard. I think the problem comes from the fact it looks like it should be sat against the chassis in the engine bay, but in my car there is about a centimetre gap. I can see swirl marks in the dirt that this disc has been touching the chassis but isn't permenantly. I reckon the mounting point is loose or something and so when the supension compresses, this discs bangs against the chassis.

On the top of the front suspension does everyone have a black disc in thier 172's? Is there a gap under the disc or does the disc sit flat and tight against the chassis in the engine bay?

I've got my car booked in for wednesday so I'll let you know how I get on, but if anyone can shed light on this beforehand, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[fizzy_drink]

Yup... it's meant to move.

It makes a noise when the metal part of it rubs against the suspension towers.

Best to grease it a bit TBH - that stops the squeak.

Renault will cut away some of the metal on the tower in order to get rid of some of the rubbing, once they get their hands on it (afaik).

 

[Justin182]

Thanks for that guys. Will have a look tommorow (or later today lol). Just have a feeling renault will say they cant find anything.

 

[GazCB]

It's meant to move? I'm surprised. Is that gap really supposed to be there? It so looks like there shouldn't be a gap underneath it. If it's supposed to have a gap, you'd think the gap is of fixed size? But I can see marks in the dirt underneath the disc where it has touched. Help me! The car is booked in for wednesday, I don't want to look like a right idiot!

 

[jjoe90]

easy answer clio suspenion is rubish the amount of probs i have had. unbeliveable

 

[RobertCL]

I have a similar problem with squeking suspension as described.

I've noticed the black rubber ring as well, and it does sit above the chassis leaving a gap. This was also the same on my 1.2 as well, so I guess it is normal... :S

Let us know how you get on at Renault...

 

[fizzy_drink]

http://photobucket.com/albums/y201/omarsadek/SuspBushProblem/

Have a look at the pics in the link.

You can see clearly where the cap rubs against the tower in the pics (bare metal)

You can also see that the cap isn't flush against the tower (last pic).


So, just common renault probs IMO - the less the dealers touch it, the better!

 

[GazCB]

Thanks a ton Omar, that was exactly what I was after. Although not great news.