STEERING PROBLEM

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

I've had this issue for a while but due to lack of funds mainly I haven't done anything to the 19 for a month or so. Anyway now chrimbo is done with I can start again.

I get a "clunk" noise from the drivers side front wheel when changong from one lock to the other.

I jacked up the front end and wobbled the wheel, when doing the 12 to 6 wobble there is no play but when i do the 3 to 9 wobble there is.

I just can't remember what this means. bearing in mind I have new track rod ends and ball joints on the front.

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

how bad is the wobble at the 3/9 position?

remember the wheels turn in those directions so there will always be some play. esp when jacked up.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

Not major prob about 1cm max. I'm just going out to compare it to the other side.

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

nothing wrong with that ammount of play mate.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

Right when I do it on thew left side the steering wheel moves with the slightest movement of the wheel. Whereas there is about 5-10mm of play on the drivers side before the steering wheel moves with it.

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

off the top of my head I'd look at the following:

wheel bolts - it my sound stupid but check them anyway.

Track rodend - is it broke? is it tightened properly?

Tracking arm - could be a little worn and cause some movement?

Steering column - is there any play in the Univesal Joint at the bottom?

Steering rack - (unlikely but check it anyway) any leaks? loose bolts/mountings?

TBH mate, it depends how bad it is? does it affect the driveability of the car?

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

Quote:

wheel bolts - it my sound stupid but check them anyway.

Track rodend - is it broke? is it tightened properly?

Not those two.

Quote:

Tracking arm - could be a little worn and cause some movement?

Steering column - is there any play in the Univesal Joint at the bottom?

Steering rack - (unlikely but check it anyway) any leaks? loose bolts/mountings?

I'm pretty sure it's not the rack or tracking arm as for the uni joint I dunno , too dark to check now.

I appreciate the feedback. It's going for the MOT tomorrow so I guess I will find out then. Really just wanted to know the possibilities. Cheers for the help Docs

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

ok mate, good luck with the MOT Wink

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

i'd say trackrod.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

Ok then it failed. Sad

BUT. It only failed on two things O/S/F track rod. And O/S/R + N/S/R Sills (In need of welding).

Which isn't abd concidering. I just wanted to know what peeps thought was a reasonable cost for the welding and if the track rod is available as a aftermarket spare or renault only? Also if i could get an idea on cost of one from renault since I don't have the dialogy thing.

+1 Karma to Dan for getting it right!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

gsf/euro do the track rods and they are around 35 quid.

welding depends on the size of the holes

Level 10 User Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 620

where did u take it 4 a mot jon? how big are the holes coz i could ask my m8 lee and see if he can do on the cheap for u

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

I took it down to Victoria Garage in Burgess. Don't know how big the holes are as I just picked the car up and had to come back into work, will have a look later. Although it doesn't look like the Skirts have been off so he hasn't looked that closed I don't think, he did quote Â£60 a side for the welding.

I can't find the track rods on the GSF/EURO websites, any idea of the part number for an O/S one so I can get it ordered ASAP.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

he can;t take the skirts off, the sills behind the skirts may be totally rotten away but he can;t fail it.

its obviously rusty at the back of them so its pretty serious.

look for steering tie rods instead.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

Well I'll look up the tie rods now and have a butchers at the sills later but if it's serious I'm gonna take him up on that Â£60 a side offer if it's not I'm sure I can get it done cheaper.

Level 10 User Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 620

did u expect chris to say its going to be serious jon?

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecommerce/Search_Results.asp

Is it one of those?

https://secure.gsfcarparts.com/shop/results.asp

Or one of those. Doesn't seem like the right ones but the only ones I can find.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

Quote:

did u expect chris to say its going to be serious jon?

To be honest mate yes yes I did. But I'm of the opinion that rust is serious doesn't matter how much there is.

Level 10 User Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 620

so u going to whip the sills off over the weekend then?

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

Gonna whip them off tonight and have a butchers. Can't be arsed doing any more work as I put me back out at the weekend so I'm just gonna get the parts and have a garage do it.

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

i got a track rod for Â£15 from part co.

welding will be the most expensive! its exactly what mine failed on!