Testing shocks

[AcID ZeR0]

Whats the rule of the thumb for testing shocks?
I've had the front two replaced from breakers they look fine visually but just want to make sure as the steering wheel is now out to the left a little.

 

[AcID ZeR0]

Bumpy bump

Heres the work I've done, I took the old shocks and hubs off and replaced them with 54mm spacing ones.

Now the steering wheel is pointing to the left slightly I was wondering have I knocked the tracking out or is the suspension wrong for my car or something like that.

How easy is it to knock the tracking out?

I also noticed when I bounce the car the top strut bolt under the bonnet has a little play in it, same with both sides.

 

[AcID ZeR0]

Please, someone?

 

[u33db]

Shocks should be fine...you'll know soon enough tho as it'll handle badly if they're caned.Don't know how you've knocked the tracking out though unless you touched the track rod ends? Easy enough to sort though...30quid at a garage. RE the steering wheel, just take it off and move it round a couple of splines if fixing the tracking doesn't sort it too.

 

[AcID ZeR0]

Thats what I was wondering but is there meant to be any play at the top of the strut i,e the bolt under the bonnet?
It sort of moves about 1cm each way well it can do if i bounce it.

But nah handling feels great, well I say great I'm running 13" inch wheels so it's not going to be anything near impressive but nothing that makes me think somethings not right put it that way.

Also the car pulls slightly to the right, but I had the tracking done about a week ago, granted before suspension change over.
According to the mechanic one side was on 3 the other on 5 or something like that.

Car has airbag so can't really remove the steering wheel.
It being at 10'oc isn't my concern my main worry is if changing the suspension has knocked my camber out or something like that and it might start eating my tyres

 

[u33db]

Hmm...well if the strut is moving about like that it'll be your top mounts have worn...not a big job but still a pain as you'll need to take the shock off and dismantle it.

Changing the suspension won't have affect the camber so no worries on that.

It sounds as if you tracking has been altered in some way...the fact the wheel now sits a 10 oc suggests the track rod ends have been messed with (nothing else would cause that) but regardless i'd get it looked at. Some garages will check the tracking for free if they've adjusted it recently...worth a go to save some cash.

As for the wheel having an airbag, it's not that much harder to take off...just disconnect the battery for a good 15mins before taking it off gently. Haynes manual will no doubt tell you how but its not rocket science and not time consuming.

 

[AcID ZeR0]

I'm dumbfounded as to how the tracking could have altered though as the track rods haven't been touched, maybe something happened when changing the suspension as I've had the hubs off as well and you've got to be quite brutal on some of the bolts.
Also the car has been standing without a hub for a couple of days so all the parts where all over the place.

Am I right in thinking there should be no movement whatsoever at the top strut mounts, as they both have a little play in them?

Also the suspensions both came from diffrent Clio's but they look the same by eye but knowing Renault and how they changed hubs by 2mm, are they all the same size?

 

[u33db]

Should be no movement really in top mounts.

As for the suspension, if it all bolted together without problems then they'll be the same.

Yep though, bit of a mystery as to how that has happened...if it was something to with the hubs then i'd still expect the steering wheel at 12 oc...odd! Still, easy sorted.

 

[AcID ZeR0]

Gave it some proper stick today for the first time in ages, the suspension is fine or it wouldn't have handled what I gave it, fingers crossed it's just the tracking which needs doing.
Still can't see how though but I guess it could have altered as I did use some force to get parts off etc..