Nasty Vibrations

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 1108

When I pull away in first, and am turning at the same time, there is a really nasty vibration through the front wheels. Can also feel it in the steering wheel & even the accelerator pedal. It corresponds with the rotation of the wheels if that makes sense. I can't describe how it feels. Sorta like the driveshaft is spinning 'roughly' rather than smooth. Or something that should be lubricated nicely is dry and kinda grinding. Not really sure how to describe it by typing! It also happens if I am accelerating on a straight and am going over bumps y'know? Little kinda buzz from the wheels as if they're rubbing or grinding or something whenever the suspension has to cope with a bump.

I'm thinking it might be something to do with my recent argument with a pot hole the size of cardiff, which caused one HELL of a bang to the front wheels & probably suspension etc. But that was more than a week ago and this has just started today. Am just wondering if anyone's got any ideas of things I could look for? Things to check etc? I am wanting to start doing stuff myself rather than taking it to a garage constantly y'know. Sure I could save myself millions!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

CV joints.

but first take the wheel off and look for any signs or rubbing.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 1108

Okie doke, I'll do that in a bit. Are CV joints a nice & easy job or a bit of a pain in the arse? I could just look in my Haynes and figure it out for myself but I always hear the Haynes manual being slated on here so I dunno if it's actually any good or not!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

if the joints are gubbed then you need new driveshafts

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 1108

Ahh bloody bugger

Spammer Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 5717

can you take some photos of the CV joints simonds ,i am having the same sort of problem since i bought the car and i have a feeling that we sort of have the same problem

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 1108

Schaks, I don't think I'd know a CV joint if you smacked me in the head with one lol. Think this is a job for me mate! Or I'll just look in the Haynes & find out what they are and then have a look. But I haven't got time today. I'll post pics up when I do it.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

they are the bits on each end of the drivehsfat surrouneded by the rubber gaiter!

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 1108

So what's a driveshaft? Razz

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 1108

That was a joke by the way, cuz some of you probably wonder about me! Laughing

Site Subscriber Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 2281

That was worrying mate, even I know what a driveshaft is and I'm the most mechanically-unminded person on here......probably!

Level 6 User Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 134

I am having exactly the same problems as Si, I have checked around the engine to see if it's moving around to much, i.e. engine mounts, although it had new engine mounts 15K miles ago, and there are no signs of rubbing.

Also I checked they were all tightly bolted.

Can someone answer this for me, if it was driveshafts would it only do this lower down in the gears while the front was unloaded and accelerating, or would i expect to see it in 3rd, 4th and 5th.

The fact that it happens when either in a straight line or turning left but never when turning right, and if it is a driveshaft again would this suggest it is the left because it is unloaded weight wise, or the right, as this is fully loaded side?

any help or ideas would much appreciated.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

driveshaft would tend to happen at low spoeeds as in 3rd/4th/5th theres not enough power to get the arse squating like in 1st/2nd.

Level 6 User Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 134

so when the arse squats it is putting the driveshafts into the back of the bearings in the CV joints as the car is dragging it's own weight, is that right?

Level 6 User Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 134

also Chris would you say it is the N/S or O/S if the sound seems to be coming from the left front, or when turning left while accelerating, i'm not sure if a fucked driveshaft does this loaded or unloaded, i.e. theres no problem when turning right with power on.!

ta

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

no, when the arse squats the CV's are stretched.

If theres no noise when turning right I would say the left hand side is fine.

Site Subscriber Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 731

Well I have been having exactly the same problem for weeks and I managed to trace it down to the right outer CV joint.

Got me a new driveshaft for Â£15 + postage and will be fitting it this weekend.

Will let yo know if it sorts the problem but I'm sure it will. Jiggled the driveshaft about earlier with the wheel off to c what i could see/hear and after putting the wheel back on the noise stopped for 5-10 mins before gradually getting louder again.

Level 6 User Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 134

how did you get on with the driveshaft, I had a good look under the car today, and although it is difficult to see much by the rear engine mount, I'm pretty sure it the rear engine mount.

There seems to be a white plastic outer shim as part of the rear engine mount in the outside of the round rubber piece, which has now moved to the side. Although this engine mount is only 6 month/15K miles old, it is allowing the downpipe to butt against the steering rack, and this is whats causing the vibratioin through the steering, and not the driveshaft.

so hopefully get hold of a rear engine mount tomorrow, would anyone say the rear engine mount which is currently in their and obviously a load of shit being only 15K miles old, was from Europarts, is any different from a genuine renault part, although I think they are LOADS more from Renault (no change there then!).

Do u think i should wait and get one from renault in the week?

Level 6 User Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 134

Oh,

Can anyone who has replaced the rear engine mount, with the engine in, give me any tips on changing, i have done it with engine out, anything that might make it any easier, as it seems very difficult with the engine in. lack of space, and very difficult to get to some of those bolts around the back of the mount!

I was thinking of waking a trolley jack underneath engine to take up the wieght, which will inturn release the engine mount enough to change?

any ideas

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

with the lump in it either goes fine and takes 10 mins or it takes 3 hours, I got fucked off changing my blue chamades mount so I took the engine out and changed itm, then had to take the mount back out to get the engine in then it fitted fine.

If it can go bad it will.

But yes much jacking and wriggling will be needed.

I have done loads but never manage to remember the easy way!

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

get a genuine renault one, last alot longer than a repro, i had mine specially modified by Neal, who can do you the same if you pm him for a price. but most renault ones seem to last 10-14 odd years, my one had lasted from 91 until '05 and 149,000 miles so it had done well.