One for future reference- Steering issues 197 / 200

[Steve Murr]

I guess im raising this for future reference-

We all know the 197s / 200's suffer from a few common problems, Gearbox, A/C units, Seals etc etc -

Well, I think we 'could' add another to the list-

STEERING RACKS.

After having nearly 40 197's/200s its becoming apparent ( to me anyway) that the steering clunking that is reported in varying degrees in the fault threads is going to be down to a large degree to the fact that I think the uprated rack on Mk3's isnt up to the task being asked of the chassis & the car.
I hear that some have replaced the lower arms etc, however If your getting knocks through the column when going lock to lock it would appear that the racks are on their way out.

I had a very knocky 197 where we changed the rack, the new part from renault comes with new track rods & new ends as well- totally transformed the car & the driving experience.

I can also report the same problem occuring on another couple of 200's-

Whats more irritating is that renault seems oblivious to sounds made by the column & rack & struggle to diagnose it.

If your sitting in your car & its knocking/clunking across lock to lock - & your mileage is +25k- chances are your rack has significant play inside or its notchy at the bottom of the pinion joining the bottom of the colomn then a new rack is probably needed-
plus a good 6/700 repair to get it right........


regards
Steve
R-SPort

 

[MikeH]

Thanks for the info Steve, I'll move this to the steering etc. section and sticky it in there

 

[Steve Murr]

OK

JUst spoke to my Parts man at renault- Sold 4 racks in the last 20 days

S

 

[A2ON]

Good info Steve thanks for sharing .

 

[marshall]

Mine knocks lock to lock and when sat stationary wiggling the steering wheel....uhohh

Also when driving along, you can feel rattles through the steering wheel...sounds like it too?

 

[Steve Murr]

Mine knocks lock to lock and when sat stationary wiggling the steering wheel....uhohh

Also when driving along, you can feel rattles through the steering wheel...sounds like it too?

Could well be the rack-

is your under warranty>?

the clunks will only get worse...

Steve

 

[ben_r1]

Good reason for 197 owners to upgrade to the 200 rack, I'm sure they have a quicker turn?

 

[nicknameless]

I can feel a very faint 'knock' (difficult to describe) on my 200 through the steering when on full lock at parking speeds. Not audible I don't think and no obvious clunks or knocks at driving speeds. I thought I was running over something whilst manouvering into the garage at first but it's not that.

Just had the car in for a few warranty issues (59 plate on 31K) and mentioned this. They told me they'd torqued all the suspension bolts up, but it's made no difference.

Is this symptomatic of the rack problem? Got to say that although the car drives great, turn in isn't as sharp as I might expect.

 

[Chrisgti6]

How much is a rack, supplied not fitted?

Chris

 

[Steve Murr]

Thread update.

My 200 Cup today into Masters of Beckenham.

New steering rack under warranty. FOC

I had to replace the rack of a White 197 last week cost me £530 & that was heavily discounted.

I would say from Renault- circa £800, specialist £650 ISH

Steve

 

[Steve Murr]

& a rack to buy will probably set you back ~ £400- £475

s

 

[lewisflintham]

Mine knocks lock to lock and when sat stationary wiggling the steering wheel....uhohh

Also when driving along, you can feel rattles through the steering wheel...sounds like it too?

Mine's exactly the same as this. I'm on 33k on an 08. :-(

 

[182michael]

ffs mine knocks like a bitch. does the 200 rack fit ok?

 

[matt_brown_92]

Hi Steve, I have this same problem on the car I got off you. When on full lock, either way, there is a kind of grinding noise. Although when I got the shock replaced the renault place said it was something grinding on the back of the wheel rim, and it looked like the back of the rim had been grinded down a little. After the shock was replaced the grinding was less bad, but still there. Is this grinding I'm hearing likely to be the problem being referred to here?

edit: the grinding noise only happens when i start moving and am already on full lock, and as far as I can remember cannot be felt through the wheel.

 

[Dylan]

My 57 plate 197cup does the same thing. I thought it might be the rack, this confirms my suspicions! It's on 33k now and has been doing this for two years or so, I didn't think it affected the handling but then again I drive slow and don't do mega miles in the Clio so what would I know? Might just treat her to a new rack though if it's less than a grand,.... Would a 200 rack fly in as a direct part replacement for the 197 rack? Essentially the same car so one would assume it would???

 

[182michael]

Hi Steve, I have this same problem on the car I got off you. When on full lock, either way, there is a kind of grinding noise. Although when I got the shock replaced the renault place said it was something grinding on the back of the wheel rim, and it looked like the back of the rim had been grinded down a little. After the shock was replaced the grinding was less bad, but still there. Is this grinding I'm hearing likely to be the problem being referred to here?

edit: the grinding noise only happens when i start moving and am already on full lock, and as far as I can remember cannot be felt through the wheel.

Ive got that grinding aswell. Must be rack related.

 

[smiler]

dont think anyone has answered the question of a 200 rack fitting a 197?

but is there any 200's out there with this problem or is it just 197 related??

 

[Foxspeed]

Hi Steve, I have this same problem on the car I got off you. When on full lock, either way, there is a kind of grinding noise. Although when I got the shock replaced the renault place said it was something grinding on the back of the wheel rim, and it looked like the back of the rim had been grinded down a little. After the shock was replaced the grinding was less bad, but still there. Is this grinding I'm hearing likely to be the problem being referred to here?

edit: the grinding noise only happens when i start moving and am already on full lock, and as far as I can remember cannot be felt through the wheel.

sounds like nothing to do with the rack...

 

[Foxspeed]

My 57 plate 197cup does the same thing. I thought it might be the rack, this confirms my suspicions! It's on 33k now and has been doing this for two years or so, I didn't think it affected the handling but then again I drive slow and don't do mega miles in the Clio so what would I know? Might just treat her to a new rack though if it's less than a grand,.... Would a 200 rack fly in as a direct part replacement for the 197 rack? Essentially the same car so one would assume it would???

why just "assume" its faulty.....should have it checked correctly first could be nothing to do with the rack!

perhaps we should all have a gearbox change "just in case"

 

[matt_brown_92]

sounds like nothing to do with the rack...

Ok, I was just checking, it's often hard to get exactly what people are describing on a forum so it's worth describing your own particular symptoms. Better safe than sorry!