Wandering or unease at speed?

[jinjur]

Hey everone, haven't posted in a bit, ownership has been remarkably trouble free with the wee Clio (touch wood)

However, I gave the car a wee bit of abuse the other night and ventured into "overtaking speeds" on a very quiet private runway.

Was a wee bit shocked as the car was very unstable and was wandering alot, was very unnerving.

Now, when i bought the car one of the front springs was broken and one of the rear shocks had just been replaced (ONE! - madness)

Anyway, I duly replaced both front springs with items from Ferret on here and also sourced an identical rear shock and brought the rear into balance as well.

I also went to town on bushes and joints replacing bottom ball joints, top mounts, bearings and adding top mount spacers.


The car was also sent for alignment to a very reputable local place and all was well as far as I was concerned, although I never ventured into big speed.

Car handles fantastically otherwise and i havent noticed excessive tyre wear.


The only thing that has changed since all of the above was brand new Continental CS3's all round, dont think that would have a detiremental effect on handling though.

Since I noticed this, I had it somewhere else to get the alignment checked and it came back as perfect, so thats 2 local places maintinaing the alignment is on the money.


Now, I havent got under the car to check all busings and joints as I havent been well of late but plan to do this as and when i am well to do so.

Anyone any ideas of prime candidates for this behavior?


Just to summarise, terrible wandering and unease at speeds over 80

Help

Andy

 

[mr.pink87]

Check the track rods and track rod ends. Rear shocks alright?

 

[Owen92]

Maybe to do with only replacing the one damper. The other one might be worn out now

 

[jinjur]

guys, thats what i am saying.......just ONE rear damper was replaced just before i bought the car on an MOT advisory.....which is madness.

so i immediatey sourced an identical new one for the other side

nothing is out of sync ns/os on the car.....i made sure of that

ill check the trackrod ends today

regards
andy

 

[jinjur]

right.......checked all of the front joints all all are ok (checked for play by disassembling and also using a crowbar when assembled)
they were only renewed a while ago
but s**t me, its not nice at speed

am i missing something obvious here?

j

 

[jinjur]

Ach, wtf.......car has totally mauled 2 new contis up front....well, around 6 months old. :-(

Insides are totally eaten yet alignment checked twice at separate and reputable places showed no issue

What is going on?

Help!

Jinj

 

[KevF182]

Ach, wtf.......car has totally mauled 2 new contis up front....well, around 6 months old. :-(

Insides are totally eaten yet alignment checked twice at separate and reputable places showed no issue

What is going on?

Help!

Jinj

That does sound frustrating - I would look at the inner rod joints where it conects to the rack. Is there an obvious knock when you turn the steering side to side whilst stationary?

I would also swap front wheels to rear and see what you think of the handling then. But i think something is wrong with the toe, even though you have had it checked it must be play in joints to cause inner edge wear like you say.