2010 Clio 1.2 TCe rattling from front end...steering rack?

[Larsson7]

Hi guys,


Trying to trace an annoying rattle from the front end, most noticeable at low on speeds on our less than stellar bumpy roads, I think it may be in the rack, but are these prone to wear issues does anyone know?

In the last year or two the car has has front drop links, bottom arms, inner and outer track rods, brake pads are also not the cause., car is just nudging 60k miles.

The rack doesn't seem loose but just can't see anything else that could be causing it, had a good look round but everything seems solid.

Any ideas?

 

[DaveL485]

If theres wear in the rack you should be able to hear it when static and you turn the wheel back and forth sharply.

Don't assume the new components aren't the cause I have had some failures on new parts lately, some brands are very poor quality.

 

[Larsson7]

Will give that a check when I'm back later, out in the C63 today.

It's TRW parts I used to replace which have always been good for me, but will give everything a double check again to be sure.

 

[Red21]

Try lightly touching the brake pedal to apply slight pressure to the pads with your left foot when the noise occurs .
Over the years I have found that non gen pads rattling in calipers, worn spindles mounts all giving a rattle over uneven roads.
Back when the Clio III was current there was a work shop notice about fitting specific pads with a adhesive backing to stop this brake rattle.
Then you can have actual damper rattle where the shafts wear in the main body but do not leak.

 

[Larsson7]

Try lightly touching the brake pedal to apply slight pressure to the pads with your left foot when the noise occurs .
Over the years I have found that non gen pads rattling in calipers, worn spindles mounts all giving a rattle over uneven roads.
Back when the Clio III was current there was a work shop notice about fitting specific pads with a adhesive backing to stop this brake rattle.
Then you can have actual damper rattle where the shafts wear in the main body but do not leak.

As mentioned above bud, it's not the pads, had them rattling before but they are solid

I had wondered about dampers, just tricky for me to test those.

 

[Red21]

Before the pads with the adhesive back were available we were fitting new pads, calipers etc with the rattle still there until these other pads were available.
As for the shocks, it can be a case of fit and see but sometimes you can turn the steering to half lock with the car not jacked up, grab the top of the wheel with one hand and the other on the damper shaft and rock the car for each side.