Hi. I'm getting a rattling sound coming from my front drivers side wheel which appears to be the lower ball joint bolt becoming loose. The car has been into Renault twice so far, and on each occasions they have tightened this lower ball joint bolt. It has now come loose again for the third time. The problem is each time they tighten this bolt my steering becomes very heavy and doesn't want to self centre, the car is almost undrivable at this point. After about a week the steering becomes almost normal again, but then the rattle returns. I have been told I need a new steering column which will cost me over £1000... My question is, could the heavy steering and the rattle be related to a seized hub as I've seen mentioned in another forum? The manager at the dealership refuses to even acknowledge my concerns and says that there is no way the rattle and heavy steering are related, even though the heavy steering only returns when it's been to Renault and they have tightened this bolt. Although he tells me it's unrelated, he can't provide me with a reason why this bolt keeps coming loose. I can 100% guarantee when I take the car back to Renault for a third time, I will get it back with very heavy steering. To me this is too much of a coincidence for these things not to be related. Thanks in advance for any help offered.
Hi. Thanks for your reply. I'm hoping it's not the steering column as the problem only seems to come back when they tighten this lower ball joint bolt. My mechanical knowledge is very limited so this is only a guess. I will definitely bare what you said in mind if I do need to change the column though. Thanks again.
Thanks a lot, that picture is certainly very useful. I haven't actually seen which bolt is coming lose myself, but from what has been described to me it sounds as though that's the one. They claim they had to remove caliper and disk to get to it. According to the job sheet I have it describes it as being "bottom suspension ball joint bolt". Do you know if the hub seizing would effect the steering at all? Thanks again for you help, much appreciated.
it does affect the steering, it goes really heavy and feels like there is no power assistance and doesn't self centre. it happened on my old Megane. I had to hold the car in a straight line it was that bad. the car wanted to turn left all the time it is a very common problem on meganes and I cant believe Renault haven't mentioned that it could be that, although you mention that after a while the heaviness goes away so im not 100% sure that you have the same issue. You might need to get under the front and have a look to see if that bolt is loose if you search 'hub bearings' on here you will find lots of info
Thank you so much for your help, it seems that you have saved me a fortune. This is exactly what my car is doing, I couldn't have described it better myself. All the manager of the Renault dealership could say to me is that it's definitely the steering column and there was absolutely no way it could be anything else. This same guy also tried to call me a liar and that the steering wasn't heavy as he'd personally just driven it. The guy is so arrogant it's unbelievable, and it's not just me he has been like this to. I'm currently in contact with Renault Uk who have been great, so I will be forwarding them to this thread. I will def try and get under the car to see if I can confirm it's that bolt. Thanks again for your help, it's highly appreciated.
I didn't experience a rattle like you have, a rattle could possibly be ball joint or similar or maybe it is because that bolt has come loose. it would be worth your while getting a second opinion by taking your car to someone like BTM or Mark Black (or other RS specialists more local to you) to have them take a look. at least you will then have some info from actual professionals when contacting Renault UK
I managed to get a look under the car. It is definitely the same bolt as the one in the picture you sent. The rattle is coming from the washer that sits above the head of the bolt. As far as the problem with the heavy steering, every time they tighten this bolt the car is practically un drivable after. The steering becomes heavy with the car wanting to pull me into the curb, it's a constant battle just to keep the car pointing in a straight line. Yes I agree, I think at this point it would def be worth getting a second opinion. Thanks.
Nathdogg did you get to the bottom of this rattle. Mines started to make a rattle noise which is defo coming from the underside of the engine. It's more common when turning and occurs occasionally when engaging the clutch. I would like like to get it resolved ASAP but would like some pointers on what I should be saying to the garage. If it helps ATS replaced the track rod ends during my last mOT. Would the two be related ????
Hi. I haven't got it sorted yet as I've been waiting for RUK to get back to me. They have offered to pay for another Renault dealer to provide a second opinion as Renault slough were adamant it was the steering column. It's now booked in to be looked at on Tuesday, so hopefully I will get to the bottom of it. From what everyone here has said though, I'm pretty confident the problem with mine is the lower hub bearings. You problem sounds different to mine, as you say yours is making the noise when you engage the clutch? Have you noticed any difference in the cars steering? If you can I would recommend checking to see if the bolt in the picture below is loose, as this is what's causing the rattle sound on mine.
