Broken Coil Spring....and other bits & bats.

[Slint]

The 200 was in the garage today to remedy more clunks & clocks than I’d ever like to hear.
Diagnosis -
N/S Lower swivel joint.
N/S Sterling rack arm.
O/S/F broken suspension spring.

I am having the N/S top & bottom swivel joint replaced as it seems to make sense whilst that corner is off the car.
Should I replace the other front spring?
Should I replace the swivel joints on the off side too?

 

[link]

Yes and yes...

 

[petercronin]

Ideally you’d do both sides together, if ones gone the other probably isn’t far away.

 

[Slint]

That seems to be the general consensus....I have had the swivel joints / coil spring / rack arm replaced by my local (trusted) garage and it has made absolutely zero difference to the horrendous volume and frequency of the knocks & clunks coming from, what it appears, to be every corner of the car.
The garage have always been very good at diagnosing my lengthy descriptions of car noises into actually faults......I gave the garage a remit of - If it looks / feels / smells / tastes even slightly worn I will replace it - when looking under the car.....but they have failed miserably this time.
I am, by no means, new to semi-stiffly sprung cars, having spent a good portion of my adult life in motorsport design and preparation.....am I chasing a serene, magic-carpetesq, quality of ride not afforded to the Clio? It’s been a couple of years but I’m pretty sure my 182 wasn’t as crashy / clunky as the 200 is.

 

[petercronin]

No it certainly shouldn’t be crashing and clunking. Something sounds wrong for sure.

 

[Slint]

No it certainly shouldn’t be crashing and clunking. Something sounds wrong for sure.

Thanks for the confirmation.....I'll get the car re-booked in for a thorough eye-balling...!!
It drives fine though.......the steering is as sharp as I'd expect it to be, no vagueness...just clunky..!!

 

[Slint]

I picked the car up from the garage this evening after having the other side swivel joints replaced, anti-roll bar bushes, arb drop links and both wishbones changed.....no doubt is it a lot less crashy but the clunks are still there. ..hurrah...!!!! So, after the 5 mile drive back from the garage I was straight onto RPD to order a pair of top mounts, a pair of front shock absorbers and a coil spring.......if this doesn’t fix it, after replacing pretty much the entire front end, I’ll be moving the car on.......getting bored now.

 

[suj]

Have you changed anti-rotation links? They look like shorter anti roll bar links, but go horizontal onto the hubs? These are quite common and make clunking noises (as it tries to keep the knuckle in place, but when the ball joint in it fails it allows some movement and causes clunking).

 

[DS197]

Don’t you have a specialist near you that could have a look instead throwing new parts at it?

 

[Slint]

Have you changed anti-rotation links? They look like shorter anti roll bar links, but go horizontal onto the hubs? These are quite common and make clunking noises (as it tries to keep the knuckle in place, but when the ball joint in it fails it allows some movement and causes clunking).

Yes, I got new links with the wishbones.

Don’t you have a specialist near you that could have a look instead throwing new parts at it?

Not sure, I think RStuning are the closest in Leeds (?) but that would be a 80 / 90 mile round trip with the missus and kids in tow. I’m not sure it’s practical given the current situation....she protests enough when having to give me a lift to local garage 4-5 miles away.

 

[RSRowe]

Where are you located?

 

[Slint]

Where are you located?

Burnley.

 

[RSRowe]

Ah still a bit far away. I wouldn’t of minded having a quick look at it tomorrow, but I’m down in Stoke on Trent

 

[Slint]

Ah still a bit far away. I wouldn’t of minded having a quick look at it tomorrow, but I’m down in Stoke on Trent

Many thanks for the offer. I would really appreciate a second opinion. There’s no real rush though, I don’t mind travelling for the advice....if you find a free day.
Andrew

 

[RSRowe]

Well I’m free tomorrow. Will be heading down to the unit around mid day and there until late afternoon.
Located in Bucknall, Stoke on Trent

 

[Slint]

Well I’m free tomorrow. Will be heading down to the unit around mid day and there until late afternoon.
Located in Bucknall, Stoke on Trent

Cheers. I’ve got a couple of typical Sunday DIY related tasks to tackle before I’m allowed any kind of freedom.
I’ll be in touch.
Andrew.

 

[Slint]

Update - finally got around to replacing the other coil spring, both struts & top mounts.....all knocks, bangs, clanks are gone...!!!! Both of the struts had zero rebound and the top mounts were barely holding together.
Also decided to never go near my local garage again.....they had already diagnosed & replaced a broken front coil spring around 5-6 weeks ago but they failed to report or notice that the top mount was absolutely knackered.....unless they found a way of changing springs without removing it....???