Juddering

Level 1 User Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 34

Hi,

I had a very loud juddering from the front left wheel. It started to shake the whole car so that every loose thing kept noise. I thought (for 6000km) that the wheel bearing was busting. So I replaced it. The judder was cut down a lot but there's still something that isn't normal. I can still hear it and feel it on the steering wheel. The sound is at its lowest when I'm slightly turning left. So it doesn't sound like the bearing got damaged during the install. Though, it is possible since I used a pretty hefty press. Very Happy

Could it be the outer gaiter of the drive shaft? Is there a way to check it?

I was thinking that I'll jack up the front and support the front from the subframe and remove the wheels. The I'll start and "drive" turning the wheel and braking with my left foot to put some pressure on the system. Could this work? I'll be having a pal with me so one "drives" and on listens where the sound comes from.

I may have knocked the gaiter when I swapped the engine last fall. But isn't it insane that the Renault manual MR-293-R19-0 says: "The slightest knock on the gaiters will damage them sooner or later and lead to des- truction of the driveshaft." This means that I shouldn't drive on gravel, something which we do have quite a lot here in Finland. If a small rock bounces and hits the gaiter is it all lost again?

Thanks!

Level 1 User Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 34

Update: There's a lot of noise and shaking that isn't normal.

Do you think I'd be able to determine wether it's the wheel bearing or the drive shaft's (outer) universal joint by jacking up the front and "driving"?

Anyone? Anything?

Thanks in advance.