Hi I've just had my bottom ball joint replaced but now steering feels off?

[Em 8023]

As it says in the title my clio 197 cup ball joint on drivers side was replaced , steering in full lock was making a loud noise . The noise has now gone but when driving at higher speeds the steering feels like it's swaying side to side . Took it back to garage they checked other side for play but couldn't see it being that bad and they took it for test drive and could see what I ment in something wrong with steering . So we're do I go from here what would you recommend? I hadn't noticed the steering issue till the new ball joint was done

 

[gaz]

where you based?

 

[Jimmy]

Is the same garage trying to solve the problem for you? If they've acknowledged that there is an issue, surely they should attempt to rectify it.

As for the cause, it could possibly be the tracking is out??

 

[Chris]

Wouldn't have thought that tracking would affect the car side to side sway, tends to just vibrate, maybe though.

Check the track rod ends? If you can feel any play side to side in the wheel then thats possibly the cause.

 

[Em 8023]

I'm based at Anglesey , i tried to take it to another garage for wheel alignment but the bloke at ats told me it couldn't be done as I needed the other side fixing like the side I'd just had fixed . So today I took it back to the garage who did the ball joint told them what ats said and they jacked up each wheel checked them for play but couldn't see anything obvious that could be causing it to feel funny when driving . So it's a case of paying for the other side to be fitted with new ball joint £170 and I'm worried it might still feel the same . I don't know if it's needing doing or if the one that was fixed hasn't been done quite right . But I'm sure it drove ok before they put the new b j on for me . I only got it done cause of the loud scraping noise when turning full lock which has now stopped since new b j. Maybe I need to try another place that do wheel alignment an see if they say the same about the other b j needing fixing

 

[cliovirgin]

Before you spend any more, also get your front springs checked.

 

[Jimmy]

My bad on the tracking Chris, I was just stabbing in the dark there.

Em, I wouldn't part with any more money yet. I would insist that the garage who did the ball joint have a proper look at it. Surely the onus is on them to find the cause of the problem, given that it has started after they did the work. I know that's probably hard to prove, however if they're a decent garage, they should take your concerns seriously.

Was it a Renault(sport) specialist?

 

[Em 8023]

No it wasn't a specialist unfortunately that's why I'm worried now . He's a good mechanic but I know these cars can be difficult to someone who's not clued up an specialise in these cars . We Don't have one that close to were I live . He did get the part from a Reno tech place but he said the new one looked stronger and better than the original he took out. If it wasn't exactly the same as original would that make it slightly un even ? Like what do people do when replacing b j is it recommended to do both sides ? Just a thought I had . My car is the 197 cup an it's an 09 plate Renault didn't sell it as a separate bit they said they only sold as a complete piece. Could the thing just not be compatible with the cup version ? I should of just payed the extra for the exact original complete piece an it would of been ok maybe
Is tracking and alignment the same thing by the way sorry to ask such a dumb question lol

 

[cliovirgin]

 

[cliovirgin]

This is the hub with ball joint in as new. Yes is the same for a cup model. You need to get your car up on a mot ramp, to check all the suspension parts.

 

[Chrisgti6]

I'd be asking them to show what they have changed, as far as I am aware there aren't any other suppliers for the part other than R - Sport at Wimbledon.

 

[cliovirgin]

I'd be asking them to show what they have changed, as far as I am aware there aren't any other suppliers for the part other than R - Sport at Wimbledon.

His part cost £170, ie ball joint with hub, direct from Renault, i'm assuming ! Also Rofag on Ebay sell the ball joints on there own.

 

[gaz]

www.birchdown.co.uk

not that far away for piece of mind. They will lend you a car for the day, go and spend the day in Chester

 

[Em 8023]

Got the other side done and it's now feeling great no problems with the steering now , thanks for all your advice [emoji4]

 

[Jimmy]

Good to hear you got to the bottom of it and all is sorted