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 Excessive wandering / play in steering
Author Message
pringe
Level 5 User

Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 110

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:39 pm

I have put up with this for ages, but it has recently got much worse to the point where I think it is too dangerous to drive on the m-way...and I have a trip / MOT coming up soon so double the reason to get it sorted!

...anyway, the steering wheel can be turned quite a way before the wheels start turning. Today I have had the car up on axle stands, and have found that doing the old '3 and 9 o clock' grab test on the wheel shows the same amount of free play. (it happens on both wheels). It doesn't really happen in the 12 / 6 o'clock position.

I was thinking that it might be the wheel bearings, but there were both replaced only a year ago. I'm hoping its not the rack as that looks a bitch to replace, although really as far as I know it could be anywhere!What further tests should I do to work out exactly where the problem is?

Car is a 1.4 Clio RT ('95 plate)

Thanks,

Steve


PS my O/S spring snapped on the strut today...for the second time in 6 months. Car is completely standard, no mods...bloody renaults.
Dan
Site Subscriber

Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3547

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:16 pm

There is a steering joint on the colmn(sp) that wears, if you look in CHR project cars, then Gentle Bens Clio 16v, Chris repaired one and this had the same symptons.

Hope this helps.
bass_direct
Level 1 User

Joined: 05 Dec 2005
Posts: 29

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:52 pm

It's the universal joint, I believe you can this welded up for no more than £30..

need mine doing too.
Dan
Site Subscriber

Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3547

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:53 pm

Or if your handy with a welder yourself Very Happy
Wicked Neo
FCS Event Manager

Joined: 04 Jan 2005
Posts: 3680

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:45 pm

i just changed out the whole column, got a decent one off ebay for £7.

{pics of the swap out in my progress report)
pringe
Level 5 User

Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 110

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 5:56 am

thanks for replies. Done a serious bit of searching around here and found lots of info on replacing it...man how did you get the column new for 7 quid??!!!

Car just failed the MOT (as expected). Are there any definitive tests to do to eliminate anything else that could be causing the excessive play before I go and rip the column apart?

Cheers.
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