Diagnosing suspension and steering problems (Renault Clio 1)

Note: Before troubleshooting suspension or steering problems, check that the "problem" is not caused by uneven tire pressure, different sized tires, or brake failure.

The car pulls to the side

• Uneven tire wear (Section 1).
• Excessive wear of suspension or steering components (Sections 1 and 10).
• The front wheel alignment is incorrectly adjusted (Section 10).
• Mechanical damage to suspension or steering components (Sections 1 and 10).

Wheel runout and vibration

• Front wheel imbalance (vibration is felt on the steering wheel) (Section 10).
• Rear wheel imbalance (vibration can be felt on the body) (Section 10).
• Wheel rims are deformed or damaged (Section 10).
• The tire is damaged ("Weekly checks").
• Worn suspension or steering components, bushings or joints (Sections 1 and 10).
• The wheel mounting bolts are loose (Section 10).

Excessive sway and/or roll when cornering or braking

• Shock absorbers are faulty (Sections 1 and 10).
• The coil spring and/or suspension component is damaged or worn out (Sections 1 and 10).
• The anti-roll bar or its mountings are worn or damaged (Section 10).

Wandering or inability to move in a straight line

• The front wheel alignment is incorrectly adjusted (Section 10).
• Worn suspension or steering components, bushings or joints (Sections 1 and 10).
• Wheel imbalance (Section 10).
• The tire is damaged ("Weekly checks").
• The wheel mounting bolts are loose (Section 10).
• Shock absorbers are faulty (Sections 1 and 10).

Difficulty turning the steering wheel

• Lack of lubrication in the steering gear (Section 10).
• Seizure of the tie rod end ball joint or suspension ball joint (Sections 1 and 10).
• The auxiliary drive belt is damaged or incorrectly adjusted (Section 1).
• The front wheel alignment is incorrectly adjusted (Section 10).
• The steering rack or steering column is bent or damaged (Section 10).

Excessive play in the steering

• The steering column universal joint is worn out (Section 10).
• The ball joints of the steering gear tie rod end are worn out (Sections 1 and 10).
• The rack and pinion mechanism is worn out (Section 10).
• Worn suspension or steering components, bushings or joints (Sections 1 and 10).

Lack of amplifier power

• The auxiliary drive belt is damaged or incorrectly adjusted (Section 1).
• Incorrect fluid level in the power steering hydraulic system ("Weekly checks").
• The power steering hydraulic system hoses are pinched (Section 10).
• The power steering pump is faulty (Section 10).
• The rack and pinion steering mechanism is faulty (Section 10).

Excessive tire wear

Tires are worn on the inner or outer edges

• Low tire pressure (wear on both sides) ("Weekly checks").
• Incorrect front camber angle or kingpin caster angle (wear on one edge only) (Section 10).
• Worn suspension or steering components, bushings or joints (Sections 1 and 10).
• Excessive sharp cornering.

The tire treads have worn edges

• Incorrect setting of the camber/toe angle (Section 10).

The tires are worn in the center of the tread

• The tires are overinflated ("Weekly checks").

The tires are worn unevenly

• The tires are out of balance ("Weekly checks").
• Severe wear of the wheel rim or bearings (Section 1).
• Worn shock absorbers (Sections 1 and 10).
• Defective tire ("Weekly checks").