clio williams steering/handling

[richy1981]

hi was just wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice on my clios handling,after about 70mph the front end of the car feels like its floating the front wheels feel like there not even on the ground,have replaced both front ball joints and track rod ends,desperately could do with some help,thanks

[chip]

What do you have the front tracking set to currently?

[richy1981]

no idea,the garage did it when they rplaced the track rod ends,i would of changed um meself but they were seized solid,it drives perfect at 30 40 50 soon as u give it some stick and hit 70 it has a mind of its own,actualy quite scary

[chip]

Well either something isnt tight, or one of the bushes has a lot of play in it, or the tracking is set to excessively toe out, so jack it up and check for play first, then get the tracking checked.

[richy1981]

what about arb bushes,could they cause this problem if there worn?

[chip]

No, the ARB is of no signficance really on a williams in terms of anything other than roll resistance, its not like on a sierra cosworth where it also is the caster control, it shouldnt have the sort of effect you are talking about there even if you disconnect it.

[fab]

after about 70mph the front end of the car feels like its floating the front wheels feel like there not even on the ground

the only time I've felt that was when there was excessive play in the steering linkage.

The more items you replace on the suspension and the more noticeable this issue becomes.

[richy1981]

would this have anything to to with the little knock i get by my feet when i go lock to lock occasionally?lol its weird when ur at higher speeds u can actually move the steering wheel with ya little finger left to right like its floating,( give me back my rs all is forgiven!)

[chip]

Lol, as above then, definately the steering linkage, thats what is knocking down by your feet.

[Coops]

well its not really the linkage usually, its the shock absorbing rubber built into the column, it wears out causing excessive play and knocking if its totally fubar

best bet, get it out and weld it up, cheapest anyway ;-)

[richy1981]

so i solve this problem by gettin a new 1 yeah?

[chip]

so i solve this problem by gettin a new 1 yeah?

New one, or weld up yours to get rid of the play.

[richy1981]

easy enough to get out? i carnt weld for shit lol hmmmmm

[Coops]

it can be welded in situ if the welders handy enough, make sure they put a decent mat thats flameproof in the footwell tho and they are careful, i had that done on my first clio, £30 it cost me from renault specialists

not to involved to get the column out really, just lots of wires to watch out for and need to remove steering column shrouds etc

[chip]

The column itself is only held in by 2 13mm bolts and 2 13mm nuts, now special tools needed to remove, just a basic socket set, going back in can be a pain getting it back on the spline.

Bottom line though, is if yours has the sort of play you are talking about, it really is something you are going to have to tackle one way or the other.

[richy1981]

im thinking get it off tomos and take it to work monday to be welded,it doesnt sound to difficult,and like ya say its gotta be done so...

[richy1981]

just had a quick look,and i can see a rubber boot at the bottom of the column,i take it i have to pull this up to see the linkage?

[Coops]

pull boot up, undo 13mm pinch from the rack to release bottom end of it, undo the 4 13mm chip mentions and there is also 2 t25 torx screws at the top behind the cowling that need to be taken out, then wiring to the back of the ignition barrel needs pulling out from socket and you can drag the whole lot out

[richy1981]

nice 1 ill have a look tomorrow,the pinch bolt that holds it to the rack is that removed from in the footwell or engine bay side?

[Coops]

i do mine from footwell, mines manual like but as the power steering column is shorter i think its easier to do on the power steering setup anyway so bonus for you 8) :lol:

[Wobba]

To get the whole thing out you'll also need to take the plastic cowling off and undo the 4 nuts there as well. There is a safety bolt on the bottom of the column. Getting this back on can be fiddly.

Personally, I would just buy a pre-welded column off Mat Brown and fit that.

[MatBrown]

Or pop round and i can fit one while you wait.

[richy1981]

now that sounds like a plan to me

[Kingscott]

Also check the upper suspension strut bearings mate.