Willimas / Valver Steering Problems

[king.stromba]

From doing the search this seems quite a common problem. I have play in the steering and loose steering. Just need some advice so i know what to do.

1. I have been told it is unlikely to be the column as there is little to wear? Is this fair?

2. More likely to be the rack. Nick Hill from Hillpower had a quick look and said it is probably the ball and socket join between the rack and the steering arm rod. There is a little play in it and this might be the reason the offside front wheel has a small horizantal wobble, but no vertical movement.

3. Nick said he would only fit a new rack as refurbed ones are often the wrong size. Is this a fair point?

4. Does it take alont time to get a new rack? I need this sorting asap as driving a Willaims with sh*t handling is like a pencil with no lead. Pointless.

5. What kind of mulla am i looking at for a new rack? Do i have to go genuine Renault?

Much appreciated. I know this is a common problem on valvers and willy.

 

[Dean]

sorry i cant help with the problem mate

but might be worth contacting paul mitchell if you are after a new rack, as hes a top bloke and always breaking williams

do you regret buying it now as youve had your fair share of problems?

 

[Tom_16v]

Try http://www.gsfcarparts.comwww.gsfcarparts.com

 

[king.stromba]

Well see my other post. I expected a few problems as its an old car. I got a good deal, because of its age and a few parking dents (we are talking valver money). Seems that people with cars on 50-70k also have broken springs and loose steering, so im not sure if its a bad deal or not. Id rather have this that my CRX. Even if you dont drive it fast, it still looks the dogs. I know i have pretty much the same problems as Riplash and his has covered 70k. Small patch of rust on arch (now gone), two broken spings (now mended), two worn tyres (now new), worn track rod end (now changed). The steering is loose and i have a very small leak from the driveshaft at the gearbox end. Apart from that i need some new front brakes, but if you buy a car like this you expect it. The trick is to keep ontop of the jobs. If you leave them others will come and youll sell a car with problems. When i sell this baby, hopefully it will be identical to 0002.

 

[Dean]

good stuff, so your doing a bit or restoration

now having owned a valver, iv been put off the williams for ever, being simlar mechanically

 

[jimbo1]

paul mitchell had a new rack on order from renault for a clio williams. had to be ordered from germany and was gunna take weeks to arrive. cost quite a bit of cash too if i remember rightly

jimbo

 

[Rajk]

yes it was me that was waiting for a new rack, i waited 6 weeks and then gave up and got paul to put on new arms and balljoints, king put your order in now and reno do an exchange on your old rack, not sure on price tho

 

[Rajk]

it has to be genuine reno too, gsf only stock 16v racks and they are different. they will say there is no difference but BB tuning confirmed that there is!

 

[king.stromba]

Quote: Originally posted by Rajk on 03 January 2004

yes it was me that was waiting for a new rack, i waited 6 weeks and then gave up and got paul to put on new arms and balljoints, king put your order in now and reno do an exchange on your old rack, not sure on price tho

So you can put on just the arms then? Nick at Hillpower said mine only needed the arms, not the whole rack but was unsure if you could get them.