Serious Handling Issues! - Saxperience

Leemc2008 · 7th July 2008, 13:27

Well.. I've had the car in my garage now for 2 weeks purely because I'm just geting fed up or something always going wrong with this VTR to VTS converted car.

This time now is the complete front end.. could be anything..

I have the knocking steering, which having read up on could be numerous things, but one thing for sure, the rack isnt loose on the bulkhead. I have extremely vague steering at anything above 50mph.. I nearly put the car into a hedge so now I wont drive it until I'm confident the issue has been resolved.

I fitted a spanking new set of 195/45's to my 205 GTi alloys and after having them on for only 20 miles took off the passenger wheel and noticed that the tyre has rubbed against the arch on the very inside, but this hasnt happened on the drivers side.. Leading me to believe possible wishbone, or bushes?

Doesnt help I also have a seized drivers side front brake caliper, but thats another story.

So.. comes back to possible steering rack? wishbones? tie rod ends? The droplinks are perfectly fine.. At a loss really.. everything does seem to cost a fortune and I dont want to buy new things if they are ok. Could anyone tell me how to test to see whether each component is working correctly?

Thanks

Lee

Coonper · 7th July 2008, 13:51

Clunking can be caused by the following...

Drop links
Ball joint (wishbone)
Wheel bearings
Top mounts
Steering Rack
Driveshafts
Track rod ends
Loose wheels
Rear beam seized
Cracked spring
Spring not seated correctly
Ovalled hubs

I can almost guarantee it will be one of those things.

Leemc2008 · 7th July 2008, 15:51

I'll have a look through that list later.. Really need to get it sorted.. pissed off with riding my bike in the rain!

Thanks

Leemc2008 · 7th July 2008, 19:22

Ha.. Well.. there was me saying the droplinks were ok, but they were, they are completely shagged upon closer inspection!! Ordering some now.. Wishbones and steering rack appear to be good after I managed to have a good look now.

Would a failed droplink though make a tyre on the passenger side rub into the wheel arch? Should I be running spacers with the 205 GTi alloys?

Leemc2008 · 8th July 2008, 09:05

Can some people help me with a more serious problem than how to change a light bulb or undo a wheel nut..

Thanks

Lee

WelshyUK · 8th July 2008, 09:09

I believe you do need 25mm spacers with 205 alloys, also have you looked at the inner arch in case it has dropped - to solve it you could remove them to give you the clearance!

Leemc2008 · 8th July 2008, 15:43

Spacers ordering tonight once I get a response about the right ones. Droplinks ordered last night.. Wishbone bushes will also order tonight as well.. might as well replace at the same time.

The inner arch liners and mounted just right.

AdamW · 8th July 2008, 15:48

I had this issue with my saxo.

Was in garage for 3 weeks, replaced powered steering pump, steering rack, droplinks and every other possible thing it could be.

When I picked up car I still didnt't feel safe taking it over 60mph as it would for some reason sway across road like it was on ice. Garage couldn't diagnose problem.

Sold car and informed current driver of the problem but he has phoned me a few times and said he has noticed nothing. Very Odd.

Leemc2008 · 8th July 2008, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamW

I had this issue with my saxo.

Was in garage for 3 weeks, replaced powered steering pump, steering rack, droplinks and every other possible thing it could be.

When I picked up car I still didnt't feel safe taking it over 60mph as it would for some reason sway across road like it was on ice. Garage couldn't diagnose problem.

Sold car and informed current driver of the problem but he has phoned me a few times and said he has noticed nothing. Very Odd.

Yes, I noticed the problem months back, but couldnt find anything and it all disappeared.. now however.. its come back with a vengence!! Its un-drivable at anything above 50/60..

Had your car ever been in an accident? To your knowledge, recorded or un-recorded? Mine has been, however, un-recorded and appeared at first to have been repaired to a high standard, even though I was finding glass under carpets when stripping.. I have this horrible feeling about having a twisted chassis..

AdamW · 8th July 2008, 15:54

Nah I was under impression it had never been in a bump or anything.

Even after all the repair work....when you turned the steering wheel full lock to the right it would make a massive clunk and squeal.....

Gave up forking out garage costs and decided to get rid

Leemc2008 · 8th July 2008, 16:00

I'm in the same boat.. Just that I couldnt allow anyone to test drive the car in its current state as it just isnt safe..

vtrlad · 8th July 2008, 20:30

I know how frustrating it is mate. I've got a clunk on my steering and have had it for just over a year. Some days it's bad some days it hardly does it. It's at it's loudest in the drivers arch.

I've been to 5 seperate garages and even let my mate have a look (mechanic) and no one can find anything wrong.

I wouldnt say my steering is vague just noisy. Doing any kind of manouver causes lots of banging etc.