Clio 197 Knock, steering squel. Linked a video of the sound.

Hi guys, a few weeks ago I noticed something wasn’t right with my 197, I started to feel something wasn’t right on the drivers side, started to knock and I could kind of feel it when pulling off, braking and changing gear which made me suspect a lose mount or something along those lines. The last 2 days I have noticed the steering has started to make a loud squealing noise when Turning left at very low speeds or at a stand still, I can also notice what sounds like a grinding noise when at very low speeds and on a bumpy road, this grinding sound could be a squel and it just sounds like a grinding from inside the car. Yesterday I had my little boy turn the wheel left and right while my head was under the car and the noise is definitely coming from the drivers wheel area. Any advice? Anyone had any similar?
 
It didn’t sound as severe when they went on my car, but it definitely sounds like the hub balljoints are at fault, probably the lower one.


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Ah bloody hell great. I suspected ball joints so iv contacted bolsover car care as iv seen them recommended a lot on the forums but the problem is I’m in South Wales and their nearly 200 miles away. I’m waiting for them to watch my video and get back to me. I’d be willing to travel if they can do them for £120 a side as iv seen but is it safe to drive that far?
 
When the balljoints went on mine I drove it for a couple of weeks before having them changed so I’d say you’ll be grand.



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When the balljoints went on mine I drove it for a couple of weeks before having them changed so I’d say you’ll be grand.

Hope so iv already driven on them for a few weeks now but it was only 2-3 days ago this horrible sound appears, sounds pretty intimidating haha did you change the whole hub or just the ball joints? Be great if I could find a specialist closer or actually within the South Wales area if not I’m willing to travel if need be.

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Ball joints or even broken spring
I had the shocks and springs replaced 6 months ago. I put apex 30mm lowering springs on. The squealing only started a few days ago But I noticed something wasn’t right a few weeks ago, wonder if the squek sound has appeared recently because of weather change? Maybe salt on the road, might try some liquid grease on the joint just to get rid of the sound and give me an extra week or 2 to get it sorted.
 
I would not bother the ball joint is trapped in so the wheel is not going to fall off jack the car up grab the wheel at the top and bottom and try to push and pull the bottom of the wheel if it moves then it's the ball joint. It has to sheer which is not going to happen I drove mine for a couple of months until I had everything ready to change it that being a hole other full assembly as I needed the car every day and if anything went wrong I could rebuild and carry on. At the end when you turn into a corner you felt the car turn in and then turn in some more that's what the play in the ball joint does. Here is the video of my ball joint after removal you would not believe the play in it.
 
I would not bother the ball joint is trapped in so the wheel is not going to fall off jack the car up grab the wheel at the top and bottom and try to push and pull the bottom of the wheel if it moves then it's the ball joint. It has to sheer which is not going to happen I drove mine for a couple of months until I had everything ready to change it that being a hole other full assembly as I needed the car every day and if anything went wrong I could rebuild and carry on. At the end when you turn into a corner you felt the car turn in and then turn in some more that's what the play in the ball joint does. Here is the video of my ball joint after removal you would not believe the play in it.
Just spoke to mark black at midlands Renault specialist, he’s been recommend loads of times on these forums and from seeing my video has said it’s 100% the balljoint. He does them for £130 a side so think I will try get it booked in to have both sides done, only problem is he’s in Nottingham and I’m in South Wales so it’s a 400 mike round trip haha
 
he is worth the trip mate...2 mates have had their meganes done its so cheap i would consider using him myself...
Just waiting for him to message me back and hopefully I can book it in asap. Yep £130 per side sounds a lot better than buying the whole hubs. May Aswell get both sides done for good measure.
 
I bought a new outer hub assembly from renault parts direct for £180 and then had my local garage fit it who only charged £40.
Already checked Renault parts direct and it seems like they have gone up to £256. If I can get the ballpoints on both sides done for £260 then that’s great business if not then Renault part it is.
 
Wow, thats gone up alot. I has the passenger side done in november this year and the drivers side last november. Ive kept the old ones and had them vapour blasted, painted and new ball joints pressed in so ive got spares here ready for next time they go.
 
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Wow, thats gone up alot. I has the passenger side done in november this year and the drivers side last november. Ive kept the old ones and had them vapour blasted, painted and new ball joints pressed in so ive got spares here ready for next time they go.
Nice. Did you press the balljoints in yourself? Just wondering if mark doesn’t get back to me or he can’t fit me in for a while I may ask my mechanic if he can do it, he’s pretty handy with cars and I trust him with all my work, he suggested the hub to a few weeks back and I know he’s changed them before but I also know he’s never just changed the ball joint. Is the old ball joint a pain to get out? He has a press so I don’t think getting the new one in would be an issue.
 
Bit of update.

Been in contact with both aarans autos in derby and midlands Renault specialists run by mark black but as it’s still the holidays for most places consistent contact has been difficult so after speaking to Andy cochrane and getting some tips and advice from him I have contacted r sport in London and they supply for balljoints for £44 plus vat and their expecting a fresh delivery Friday. Spoke to my mechanic today and who I trust fully and he has told me if I order the balljoints he is more than happy to take the job on for £70 a side but it will be late next week possibly week after. Will let everyone know how he gets on and if all goes well which I’m hoping it does then maybe with his permission I will drop him a mention on here for anyone in the South Wales area who struggle like I have to find someone To change these balljoints at a good price.
 
I've exactly the same problem, just failed it's mot, excessive movement at a suspension balljoint offside (2.5.A.1c) was it the top joint or the bottom you had issue with?

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I've exactly the same problem, just failed it's mot, excessive movement at a suspension balljoint offside (2.5.A.1c) was it the top joint or the bottom you had issue with?

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Hi mate. I sent the video to both mark black and Andy Cochrane who are both highly recommend as Renault sport specialists and both have told me 100% bottom ball joint and that’s without actually seeing The car in person, I asked about the top joint and they said the top joint hardly ever wears, that’s not saying yours hasn’t tho but It’s more than likely Gonna be the bottom joint. These are a pain as Renault will usually only sell the whole hub with the balljoint ready pressed in and their £256 per side for just the hubs on Renault part direct so that’s why iv been frantically ringing around and emailing trying to find a specialist that can just change the balljoint. What part of the country are you from? The midlands seems to be a good area for specialist who can do this.
 
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