Steering related issues query

[The Fonze]

I have had a slight knock coming through the steering when manoeuvring at slow speed and the steering also feels rather vauge.

Taken it to a local specialist today to get diagnosed and he says its either the rack or column. Is it common for the column to fail on these cars as I know rack issues are quite frequent on here?

The rack is £400 to replace the column is £1k and that's just for the parts so I've decided to get the rack replaced and go from there.

 

[nutnutwelshman]

Had the same thing so Renault px my car

 

[The Fonze]

Unfortunately I am not under warranty so I am going to have to fork out for it.

Just dont want to replace the rack and it end up being the column unit and electric motor.

 

[nutnutwelshman]

Have a look in steering treads last week I? think its just a nut on the column just needs a tweek

 

[The Fonze]

Already tried tightening the nut on the UJ made no difference unfortunately.

 

[nutnutwelshman]

How old is your clio???? have you given Renault UK a ring ask them for a bit off help???

 

[The Fonze]

Its a 59 plate mate, I can get the rack done at £400 fitted and renault is £800 fitted so even if they offer discount I doubt it will be that cheap.

If it doesnt end up resolving the issue then I will be in contact with RUK if I dont burn the car before hand!

 

[nutnutwelshman]

Sorry fella

 

[The Fonze]

Seems to be an inherent issue with the whole steering setup on these cars and there is no real information on the forum to pinpoint what exactly goes wrong.

 

[Yiannis197]

I've never read of a column failing mate, on the other hand at least one rack per month (week maybe??) bites the dust...

 

[The Fonze]

I really do hope its the rack mate and the knock is being sent up the through the column.

Does anyone know what it is exactly that is failing within the rack?

 

[Yiannis197]

Well, I'd have to eat my hat, just noticed this update here

http://www.clio197.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33330&page=2

Apparently it's a failed column (first in here???), however the symptoms were completely different to yours, it wasn't just a knock, the fellow forum member didn't have steering at all!!

 

[The Fonze]

Typical, Marshalls car worrys me though as he had a knocking similar to mine and a new power steering and column unit seems to have solved the issue.

What symptoms were you experiencing Yiannis before you had the rack replaced?

 

[Yiannis197]

From what I've heard/read the symptoms vary.

I had a play in the rack when stationary. In the beginning you would barely notice it but it got worse over time. I could definitely tell it was the rack because I couldn't fault anything else really....And it was the rack indeed. Was I surprised? Not really.

 

[The Fonze]

Thanks for your comments mate, most appreciated. Just trying to determine if mine is definitely the rack thats the issue. Will keep the thread updated when I get it fitted (couple of weeks).