I think it's about time I asked you lot...

[kristianbowler]

Right I have asked this question on "http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/" to of which I got some not very useful answers. After 3 months of reading various posts and looking at pictures on this forum it occurred to me that you lot all have a clue of what you're actually talking about!

My story:

A few months back I had a (I would class it as serious) bump with the barrier. I had nearly bald tires on (I was waiting to be paid from work before I get new ones, 3 days away) and I was going round a right hand bend on a road (it was pouring down with rain, and I think I hit a patch of oil on the road) when my clio started to drift to the left. Panicking I tried to turn my wheel the oppisite way to correct the drift, which did not work... Anyway.. I ended up hitting the barrier at around 30mph and smashing the left hand side light in, denting the bonnet and completely destroying the front bumper. The front crumple bar (I think that's what it's called) was pushed in a little. It ended up costing me £450 for everything to be repaired! Metal pulled straight, new bumper (colour coded), new bonnet and a new headlight. All looks good as new, as if nothing ever happend, not a trace! BUT..

The car now feels diffrent... Since then I have changed my alloys, I have a set of 17" low profile BSA Arrakis on (http://www.kentcustoms.co.uk/acatalog/4x_17_Inch_BSA_Arrakis_High_Gloss_Alloy_Wheels_With_Tyres.php) and every time I go around a corner it feels like the car is "snaking" or "drifting" or wanting to drift. I can't describe the exact feeling but it does not feel like it used to. My tracking is also slightly out (tracking has NOT been done since changing my alloys from the standard ones, I have no idea if this could be it?). Also a few days ago I found the nut on my front suspension to be lose (under the bonnet) I tightened that and it feels a little better but still not the same.

If anyone can help me I would appreciate it, I'm asking would could cause this feeling/problem?

The tracking?
Going up in alloy size?
The suspension?

I have no idea?! Sorry if none of this made any sense also, I'm very tierd lol! Thanks a lot everyone!

My car after the crash:

My car after its repair:

My car with its larger alloys:

 

[aucky]

Poor tyres on COLD damp roads?

 

[Saner]

When you got the car back, did you have it on the original wheels for any time? If yes did you have the same problem with it 'snaking'

To sort out these things it's really best for process of elimination. Get the car set up as standard, sort tracking etc, then when you know its right start making changes such as the wheels.

I know some people have experienced worsened handling on 17"s, are they cheap tyres? Other people will say 17" are fine though!

 

[DrR]

Shocks?
Those wheels

 

[Martin.]

As said, put it back to standard and use trial and error to find the problem. That's what I would do.

Get the tracking sorted anyway and get that out of the way. It's only £15 with a recent discount voucher flying around on here..

If it's then fine on standard wheels and isn't on the larger ones, maybe you have just crap budget tyres on them. If it's still not fine on the smaller wheels then I would look at the tyre pressures (which you should keep an eye on anyway)

If your tyre pressures at the front are considerably lower than at the back this could encourage over steer, which sounds like what you're describing.. If the pressures are all over the place. Set the fronts to standard psi and have the rears set to a few psi lower and see how that feels.

If you still have problems after that you could try changing to some decent tyres, if you haven't already got good ones of course.

If there are then still the same issues I would probably take it to get looked at by a specialist.

I can't comment on shocks or springs because I don't know much about them, but could also maybe be the cause..

 

[aajbarker]

I assume the suspension is standard by the height in the pictures. Excessive body roll will make the car feel "light" and wobbly through the bends and even more so the bigger wheels have given the car a higher center of gravity which is also adding to your problem.

I would make sure all the shocks are in full working order and fit some decent lowing springs. I bet this sorts your problem. ;-)

 

[LiamR172]

Put the standard wheels back on..

Check all your shockers are ok, if they are leaking then they go very spongey and that may be your problem. Feels a bit boat like.

 

[Djw John]

I'd be checking/replacing rear shocks in the first instance

 

[Jordanb29]

Mine did this going round wet roundabouts all the time, it doesnt do it as bad now but i found it to be the the nuts that hold the struts in. one of them was very loose which made the car not sit normal and put more pressure on the back of the car which made the front of the car slide when turning in the wet! it was very dangerous so id get your car checked or your car may end up sliding into a barrier again!

 

[LiamR172]

Mine did this going round wet roundabouts all the time, it doesnt do it as bad now but i found it to be the the nuts that hold the struts in. one of them was very loose which made the car not sit normal and put more pressure on the back of the car which made the front of the car slide when turning in the wet! it was very dangerous so id get your car checked or your car may end up sliding into a barrier again!

Sounds like the same problem if his nuts were lose

 

[Jordanb29]

yeah sure does! really can get dangerous as i found out when my car did a slide, mounted up a curb and managed to stop myself by... hitting someones house wall cracked front bumper and scuffed bump strips along with a deeply scratched light

 

[Sargara]

And when people say "get the tracking done" they mean a proper 4 wheel alignment system with before and after printouts with what has been changed, not just some random tyre fitters laser alignment.
http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

 

[kristianbowler]

Hi everyone sorry I haven't posted in a few days, I got ridiculous shifts at work! I had the car wheel aligned and it made no difference what so ever, But I also found out that my "arms" (not the wiper arms) or the things they connect to (I have no idea what the called, only they look round) have fallen through, and that my rear axel is bent on the right hand side slightly, causing "crabbing" as the man described it, so I think I have found my problems! Any fixes? :\ thanks

 

[Spinksy]

Hi everyone sorry I haven't posted in a few days, I got ridiculous shifts at work! I had the car wheel aligned and it made no difference what so ever, But I also found out that my "arms" (not the wiper arms) or the things they connect to (I have no idea what the called, only they look round) have fallen through, and that my rear axel is bent on the right hand side slightly, causing "crabbing" as the man described it, so I think I have found my problems! Any fixes? :\ thanks

replace the rear axle and arms?

 

[Coops Mk1]

if the car is crabbing, hopefully its the arms (wishbones) and rear beam, not the chassis thats bent?

 

[Cerrone]

I would think that it may be play in your ball joints, but assaid put the car back to standard. Those alloys really are poor!! Get some good tyres on standard alloys.

 

[Sargara]

Hi everyone sorry I haven't posted in a few days, I got ridiculous shifts at work! I had the car wheel aligned and it made no difference what so ever

Was it a recommended alignment place from http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/ with before and after printouts of what was done like i suggested? Or was it just a random garage with its "alignment" check. I may sound like im preaching but i got told by 2 different places my alignment was "fine" even though when i took it to a proper place it was actually FAR from fine, they were just doing a s**t job.

 

[kristianbowler]

if the car is crabbing, hopefully its the arms (wishbones) and rear beam, not the chassis thats bent?

Had them replaced but I still have the problem, I think my chassis bent

I assume the suspension is standard by the height in the pictures. Excessive body roll will make the car feel "light" and wobbly through the bends and even more so the bigger wheels have given the car a higher center of gravity which is also adding to your problem.

I would make sure all the shocks are in full working order and fit some decent lowing springs. I bet this sorts your problem. ;-)

Thanks This has solved my problem slightly but as mentioned above I think my chassis is bent :\

 

[Luke.]

Did you do what everyone said above?? Standard wheels etc??

id be checking over the front suspension and steering, every nut and bolt, then checking the front & rear shocks and steering rack bushes (not sure if 1.2s have them) then if you certain or convinced the chassis is bent I would be going to get it put on a jig to see if its bent..

Doesnt look to hard an impact due to the damage but never know now a days..

 

[kristianbowler]

Did you do what everyone said above?? Standard wheels etc??

id be checking over the front suspension and steering, every nut and bolt, then checking the front & rear shocks and steering rack bushes (not sure if 1.2s have them) then if you certain or convinced the chassis is bent I would be going to get it put on a jig to see if its bent..

Doesnt look to hard an impact due to the damage but never know now a days..

yep I had done everything, apart from the steering rack bushes, next on my list!

 

[lemonnobby]

Have you had it on a jig.

 

[steviem]

I'd check everything that has been mentioned but i would be tempted to remove front shock to check its not bent.
I would also double check your tyre pressures as this could cause the sensation you describe especially with 17" alloys on a small/light car.

 

[kristianbowler]

Have you had it on a jig.

I haven't as of yet!