Are my lower arm bushes shot?

The rubber on the track rid end is just a dust cover filled with grease, so is not meant to be stiff. As long as it hasn't split and the grease is intact then its fine.

 

You would also see any oil stain on the surrounding parts if it had gone, is the car making any noises, what led you to this concern

 

Sure you've not got a worn inner tie rod? That gives a strange loose feeling

 

My top mounts have been worn for a while and there is a very noticeable creaking noise when turning the steering wheel at low speeds and stand still, this gets worse on long journeys when you can hear it braking/pulling away at low speeds.

If you've replaced the inner tie rods then I would suspect the outer track rod ends, your mechanic will easily be able to diagnose this if there is play in the wheels once up on the ramp.

Failing that it could be worn rack if you say you already replaced the wheel/hub bearings. Also just speculating really could be anything with these cars!

 

I have a squeak when turning my Megane form lock to lock that you only hear at low speeds. I am not all that bothered about it to be honest, but I can confirm that it is still there after replacing: lower swivel hub bearings, inner track rods, outer track rods, springs & struts, the top mounts, and the plastic bush in the steering rack! I should say I didn't replace all that lot to get rid of the squeak, just to freshen it up a bit (had some spare money to burn, lol). Most of the components that came off were actually in ok condition, except of course the lower swivel hub bearing.

What did really help was the plastic bush in the steering rack which was the cause of the freeplay in the steering and removed a knock at low-speed turning. The freeplay had been flagged up at the MOT. My track rods, inner and outer, that came off were actually ok but didn't see the point in removing them to put old ones back on.

 

Nice, would love to have all that refreshed, except my Mechanic has preferred to only change bits that are completely knackered, hasn't got me anywhere.

I bet it feels brand new other than the slight squeak! (-;

 

It does feel pretty refreshed, although I have to say that at 42k miles and 5 years it wasn't all that worn! Seems that apart from the lower hub bearings, and that stupid plastic bush in the rack, Renault know how to make it last a good few years

 

Great info above. I think i have the same problem.

Im getting a knocking/clunk noise when i take off in the car from standstill, turn out a junction and braking at low speeds. Having the car on the ramp I'm getting this noise when going lock to lock. Is sounds like a creaking.

Ive replaced, track rod ends, springs, top mounts so I'm thinking it may be the steering rack bush. Hopefully its easy enough to replace.

If its not, does a new rack come with this bush?

 

Yes a new rack will do the job but they are really expensive! The plastic bush you can buy from a guy on here, and is fairly easy to fit. You have to remove the nearside inner track arm to get to it, but if you have had that off recently then it should be an easy job.

I think the company to buy the bush is Track Focus Direct, am on the mobile so cant find the guys username but he is on here. Its about £35 if I remember, and they provide a guide to fitting.

 

Thanks, ive ordered the bit from them so hopefully that sorts it. I took a video but the noise isn't that clear.

Buyer of my car pulled out as he wasn't able to get insured so il get this fixed and hopefully the megane can find a new owner.

 

[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Well I'm not too sure if it is this bush. Took the TRE off both sides and all looks ok. Can't see any snapped bush, and there is no play in any of the rack or inner rods. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]
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[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Here are some photos.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]While I'm here il check all bolts on the subframe.[/COLOR]

 

Sorry for hijacking this thread and taking it off topic.

Turns out the issue I have is the bush on the wishbone where it connects to the chassis, when the wheel is turning and when it clicks you can see it “jump”.

Is it still the case that the wishbone is a renault only part, or are there any pattern parts?