car accident- steering prob - need advice

[siroldvolks]

Hi all,

I need a bit of advice regarding a car accident last year. About 6 months ago, some nice lady driver damaged the front end of my car when she ran a red light. Did about 1.5k worth of damage - had to have bumper, NS xenon, NS wing and bumper replaced. It was nothing too major anyways - just what seemed cosmetic.

Since then, I have been having increasing problems with steering - my Dad drove my car today, and commented how bad the steering really was! I suppose I was used to it from driving the car after the accident, but there didnt really seem a problem then. Since then though, I have had it into Renault twice regarding steering, but makes it very difficult to mention that it has been in a small accident. I have also had the tracking done twice, and both times it has been out. Only recently am I more convinced its to do with the accident, and not just putting it down to being a renault. I was now looking at selling the car, as something is definately not right and its not a pleasure to drive anymore.

Basically Im after a bit of advice as to what I can do! Could I go an get a full geometry check etc somewhere, and if a problem was found with the chassis being bent, could I go back to the insurance company on this?. Or is it way to late to? Im really stuck on where to turn on this one, as I really dont want to have to spend out getting something like this repaired.

Sorry for such a long post! Thank in advance.

Andrew

 

[R3OBC]

not sure if this will help buddy but............i had someone clip my wheel, basically scuffed all the alloy etc. Steering was knocked off straight, so had it re-tracked. It still felt funny, kinda numb......turns out i had a bent shock absorber!!!!!! All is fixed now and feels much better! (not sure its back to how it was but its probably just all in my head) This may be worth while looking into, as a few people on here told me about this, and they were right! Thats just from my experience. Rob

 

[RS182]

The steering on mine is awful, i havent had any accidents etc. I have had tis problem of the kncoking noise on the suspension when cornering. Never fond solution, i put the steering down to this, car is going soon so not worrying now.

 

[siroldvolks]

Thanks guys - Ill bear that in mind Rob re. shocker. Im sure somthing is bent though. The outside of the NS tyre is wearing quicker than the rest of the tyre so ive noticed (not by a vast amount). And as I say tracking is fine - car just seems to want to crab, and pulls about all over the place is getting worse.

Need to know how to go about this all, as I say I dont want to be ending up spending loads on getting it repaired if I can go back through insurance on this one

 

[paddymph]

did u get the original work done through your insurance?

if so call them back. if its accident related it should be fixed, but theyll ask u why youre only reporting it to them now so beware!

 

[siroldvolks]

yup it was done through the insurance, and thats my same thought too that they may ask questions! I have the proof though that it has been looked at elswhere, and really only come to light on how dreadful people say it handles

I dont know whether to go straight back to them about it, or get the proof from somewhere else that there is a problem then contact them....

 

[kevsvalver]

alright mate, ive just had a smash in mine. wanka of a taxi driver drove into the side of mine. £3500 worth of dammage. i personally think its either the wishbone, drive shaft or steering rack. if it was a slight knock then it could be your wishbone about £40 from renault.

 

[paddymph]

just call your insurance, theyll probably ask u to return it to the garage that did the repairs for them to look at. youve got nothing to loose really.

 

[RAY 187]

Mate the same kind of thing has happened to my car

Its handling has gone doen the drain, brov not to be on a negative, it will never be the same again.

I have gone back to my local dealer over 10 times in the last 10months with handling problems, ive had it all done, RTE Experts, someone from Renault head office check the car out, no one can fix it.

I took the car to Northampton Motorsport on saturday, as my last option, he found that the problems were not from the front of the car, my rear right wheel is towing inwards by twice the amount which is causing the car to snake around at the front, he is going to do a small modification to get it straight. This could be a manufacturers fault, but renault will probably tell you that its within there tolerence levels.

Maybe a visit to Northampton motorsport might help, this guy Roger is a Suspension Dynamics specialist and know his sh*t too. Hopefully he shoud sort out my 10 months of headache.

 

[siroldvolks]

Thanks all for the info! Been thinking about it today, and yeah Ill go straight to the insurance company without proof theres any issue - if they are willing to assist then they should try and sort it. As Paddy said Ive got nothing to lose.

I hope you get get your problem sorted out Ray - Im sure you feel frustrated as I do that not matter who looks at the car to find the problem, something just does not feel right and ruins the enjoyment of car. Good luck. Let me know how you get on.

Cheers

Andrew

 

[pete_pete]

well mine has problems when acelerating as It pulls to the right and Im so aware of it that I dont enjoy driving it, it mainly in first nd second. I whacked the front a while ago but it handls fine.

I would like to drive another 172 just to compare the feeling I get from the road as it is filled with feedback, I can tell if Iv driven over a grain of rice!!

Mine also knocks when cornering hard over bumps??

I just want a troble free 172 !

 

[RAY 187]

No problem mate



I know how you feel, not to worry you aint alone.

 

[siroldvolks]

Funny you should say that Pete, mine does that to! pulls to the right when flooring it in 1st & second, and drifts to the left when you let go of the steering while under normal driving...hmmm dodgy!

Well I got a response from the insurance company today. They are going to get photos etc form the repairs to see if the accident maybe related to the accident - their inhouse assors will look at this. Luckly I took a lot of photos of the damage after the accident.....

http://www.siroldvolks.dsl.pipex.com/myphotos/crash/front1.jpg

what ya recon? possible steering damage? the impact was sorta frontal NS, and pushed the car to the left (driver coming from my right). Awkerward angle. As you can see the NS xenon was pushed backwards into the wing etc....hmmmmmmmm

 

[pete_pete]

same side as mine, I thought mine was torque steer but it only notices on acceleration and isnt pulling when off the gas.mmm shall I sell as nobody will notice unless you realy let go and floor it. or shall I take it in and hope it can be solved for not to much?? sounds like we have a simular problem chap. shall I take it to Reno or an independent garage???

 

[SexyRT]

sorry to put a downer on things but I found AFTER id bought my car thatd had been involved in a huge accident and been repaired badly...Ive since spent a fortune fixing it and all was well....til before xmas...steering rack seal went...it was temporarily replaced....then two days ago a new rack was put in....this morning....BOTH seals were blown right out of the new rack and to boot....my racks a discontinued line...what do I do? Im kinda screwed....Ive got a 5yo car and the racks discontinued!!! ARGH!