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