Extreme Clunking from front end of car on full lock

daelo

daelo

daelo

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22 Sep 2009
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I have a R Renault Clio RT (97) and it makes the most HIDEOUS noise when on full lock.

So for example if your in a carpark travelling slowly the car will clunk every second or so on full lock on both sides (2-5mph) walking pace i guess.

This problem seems to be linked to when going around mild bends, you can hear a sort of low pitch humming noise which stops as soon as you align the wheel back straight.

Im hoping this isnt something too bad and hadnt had the chance to get to a garage yet (due to work) so do any of you helpful fellows have any diagnosis'?
 
CV would be a rapid clicking, not a once a second clunk. Something come loose / off on the suspension?
 
Oops, I probably should have read the post properly.

I retract my suggestion, and suggest a fairly far gone wheel bearing instead.
 
Still sounds like CV joints to me.

If it clunks when you're turning right, it's normally the nearside CV joint (more common culprit as most of our turns are right ones).
 
Just jack it up & spin the wheel with your hands, You will hear & feel a rumbling if the bearing is shot.
Then grab the wheel at quarter to three & try to shake it from side to side & feel for play, There will be play or a knock if outs wrong.
If it's the drive shaft then sticking it on Full lock & driving in a circle should produce a distinct metal clicking sound.
 
malc30 said:
Just jack it up & spin the wheel with your hands, You will hear & feel a rumbling if the bearing is shot.
Then grab the wheel at quarter to three & try to shake it from side to side & feel for play, There will be play or a knock if outs wrong.
If it's the drive shaft then sticking it on Full lock & driving in a circle should produce a distinct metal clicking sound.
Click to expand...

Not strictly true for the metal clicking sound with a knackered drive shaft. My wife used to have an old Citroen AX- when the CV joint started to die, it made a noise similar to the one reported in the O/P.

I'd put money on either a bearing or CV joint.
 
malc30 said:
Just jack it up & spin the wheel with your hands, You will hear & feel a rumbling if the bearing is shot.
Then grab the wheel at quarter to three & try to shake it from side to side & feel for play, There will be play or a knock if outs wrong.
If it's the drive shaft then sticking it on Full lock & driving in a circle should produce a distinct metal clicking sound.
Click to expand...

Will jack it up tomorrow and try the shaking , spinny trick, see where it gets me. Definately a clunking noise when going in a circle, i have a sneeky suspiscion it might be the bearings.

Is changing the bearings a job that can be reasonably easily done, i used to have an old mini which i used to potter around on (change break pads, general servicing, have access to a good choice of tools aswell.)

Also how much are the bearings, shouldnt be too costly should they for a little hatchback? cheers for your help, pay rise comes in october, will be looking to get a decent car that will last me 3-4 years that wont depreciate much either like an audi a3 :D
 
No but i have read of ways of "bodging", or that you can take the assembly apart then take it to a garage who will do the heavy work of removing,inserting the new bearing, is this correct?
 
You can sometimes bodge it without a press using a BFH, but it's hard. I wouldn't say it was an easy job at all but on the other hand if you have experience in the garage and the appropriate tools (big wrench, channel locks, sockets and the full bearing kit), you should be fine.
 
BFH, will a sledge suffice :P

Think i will look up how to get it all off and get the bits that need to be pressed taken to garage and get them to do it, shouldnt be too costly then, although i have heard of being able to buy pre pressed bearings for clios, not sure, might have to do some more google investigating!
 
Use the right size socket & tap it in/out yourself, If you needed all the tools people say you do you would be a Mechanic.
 
daelo said:
BFH, will a sledge suffice :P

Think i will look up how to get it all off and get the bits that need to be pressed taken to garage and get them to do it, shouldnt be too costly then, although i have heard of being able to buy pre pressed bearings for clios, not sure, might have to do some more google investigating!
Click to expand...

This is only for models with rear disc's. The bearings are in the hub, so unless you want to buy a new hub with bearing which would cost quite a bit :p
 
malc30 said:
Use the right size socket & tap it in/out yourself, If you needed all the tools people say you do you would be a Mechanic.
Click to expand...

What he said, but be SLOW with it. Don't get over-enthusiastic and try and make huge gains all at once. You need to:

Get the hub assembly held firmly in place (i.e. in a vice)
A suitably large socket that should cover a large part of the bearing
A good set of ciclip pliers to remove the circlip that is probably holding the bearing in place (may not be the case on this car)
A mallet (a hammer will be too brutal on impact)

The important thing to remember is to make sure that the bearing goes in perfectly straight so if it looks like it's twisting, knock that edge in slightly before continuing.
 
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