Something's "Not Right"

[Swervin_Mervin]

Had the car in last year for various bits of warranty work, one item of which was that I was convinced something had started to work loose in the n/s front chassis.

You could feel a slight knock when accelerating out of a bend if the surface was rough. They couldn't find anything (probably didn't even look tbh)

Anyway it's much worse now. Can feel a slight knock through the steering when setting off (as soon as you engage the clutch), and there's also a distinct sense that something's much looser on the n/s front. Feels like teh wheel's rattling around over bumps.

So is there anything that's a common failure? I want to go to the dealer armed with some knowledge.

 

[Foxspeed]

check your wheel nuts first !!!

 

[jaxx]

I seem to get a slight knock on rougher roads...

Im gonna check the suspension mounts soon, but just might be the stiffness of the shocks hitting their limiters.

 

[RalphyBMW]

I had a touch of this, one of my anti-rattle clips was missing.

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

It distinctly feels like something's loose/slack, and it's only the n/s (apart from the knock through the column on setting off).

I could do with getting it up on the jack really and having a good poke about.

 

[harleybarley]

Maybe engine mount if it's when you're setting off/accelerating out of corners?

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

I did wonder if the dreaded mount issue might have developed. I actually think there could be two separate faults.

I can add them to the list along with the increasingly irritating clutch pedal (which they mlamed on the position sensors - ********) and the melted wheel.

 

[Evs]

I have the exact same issue!!

http://www.clio197.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4215

Its from the N/S/F and feels like a metallic chatter through the steering wheel. I have looked and checked things and looked and checked again and i cant seem to find anything, i had the N/S damper assembly out today to see if i could find anything but nothing obvious which could account for the noise. Its more noticable under a bit of power going round left hand corners.

 

[marky-f1]

This is getting Intresting now av had same prob for around 3 months now when turning left powering threw a corner or a bumpy bit of road getting a knocking threw steering as if there's play in the rack already asked Renault to look at it and they said they all do it, I said so for over 2 years it's been fine but now it's here yeh it normall apparently so am going to take it to a friendly honest mechanic to tell me what's wrong so I can give it back to Renault before it's 3 year is up , I'm sure he will have a bit of common sence and put ma lower dash back together properly unlike Renault !! Rant over ..

 

[Evs]

What it feels like on mine is if theres some play in the steering shaft/support bearing/steering column.

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

l/h bends for me too, particularly under power. Marky, if you could report back your findings that would be great. TBH I think I'm going to get the car up in the air and have a good root around myself before putting it into Renault.

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

Right, going to get the wheel off today and have a poke about. I shall report back later.

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

Well, I found nothing. Obviously can't replicate the loadings by hand that on the road are highlighting the issue.

Bugger. Not sure where to go from here.

 

[Paul]

Shame you haven't found anything mate, guess the only place for you to go is the dealers... Sorry

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

I'm not going to bother dude. They damaged the wheels last time it was in so I'm trying to keep visits to the bare minimum (they're the best of the local dealers as well )

Plus I know they'll just say they couldn't find anything wrong. I'd rather spend money on a specialist if I knew of a decent one locally.

 

[Evs]

I couldn't find anything obviously wrong with mine, i even removed the N/S/F damper assembly and stripped it all down but still couldn't find anything. Like alot of folk, i want to avoid a trip to the dealers if at all possible.

If i knock the front wheel with my hand in about the 2 o'clock position it seems to replicate the noise, does yours??

 

[Graeme GTR]

had something similar on my old 197, everytime i went over a speed bump (there are 5 in my girlfriends street) I got a knock - stuck it in and iirc it was a lower suspension arm which i got done under warranty. worth a look?

 

[Evs]

Anyone any wiser as to whats causing this problem??

 

[dotty]

i also have this problem , steering wheel vibrates when left hand cornering ob rough road

also when stationary does the steering clunk when turning it to the left mine does

i took to dealer and they said theres nothing wrong...argghhh

 

[Evs]

Mine 'clunks' when moving the steering wheel to the left too.