Steering Vibration

[Isaac Hunt]

Hi i have a Megane 1.6

I have been noticing that when i'm slowing down coming up to roundabouts etc i feel a slight vibration in the wheel. It usually happens when going on the dual carriage ways/motorways with speeds of 60 plus.

Also i have noticed that when i am going at minimal speed in a parking lot for example that when i turn the wheel i can feel/hear something underneath the front somewhere making a slight noise.

Are the 2 connected?

If so what is the diagnosis and a rough idea of the price to fix?

[AlexB]

Isaac,

By your question lacking any technical detail I would guess that you are not a technical person. Please correct me if I am wrong. In this case your best bet is to find a good garage that will check and balance your wheels first of all. The fix may be as simple as balancing two wheels (likely diagnosis), which costs £10-20, or as expensive as replacing tyres, wheels or parts of suspension (the latter is unlikely). Normally, all wheels are balanced once a year, visually inspected for cuts/damage/wear once a month and the pressure is checked monthly/quarterly. Don't delay inspection -- it is a safety issue.

As for the noise, you may want to make an effort to describe it thoroughly. Is it correlated with rotation of the wheels? Under what conditions does it occur? When and how did it start? Put your description in the context of servicing/usage/accidents. An option is to attach an MP3 recording.

[Isaac Hunt]

Hi.

The noise is hard to describe and not something i could record.

It is basically when i am driving real slow and i turn the wheel and i can only describe it as some kind of creaking noise underneath the front somwhere. I don't feel/hear it any other time apart from slow moving.

Thanks

[Jdewer]

Hey
again not an expert but doest it click or make a noise when you have the wheel on full lock untill you straighten it out?

[Isaac Hunt]

Hey
again not an expert but doest it click or make a noise when you have the wheel on full lock untill you straighten it out?

Nope. Never done that.

[AlexB]

Hard to say... It can be the sticker label on the driveshaft coming off or a pad catching the rough edge of the disc. Check the metal bands on the driveshaft boots, btw. It can also be a bearing. Ask in the tyre shop when balancing the wheels.

Hi.

The noise is hard to describe and not something i could record.

It is basically when i am driving real slow and i turn the wheel and i can only describe it as some kind of creaking noise underneath the front somwhere. I don't feel/hear it any other time apart from slow moving.

Thanks

[Isaac Hunt]

Hard to say... It can be the sticker label on the driveshaft coming off or a pad catching the rough edge of the disc. Check the metal bands on the driveshaft boots, btw. It can also be a bearing. Ask in the tyre shop when balancing the wheels.

Hi.

The noise is hard to describe and not something i could record.

It is basically when i am driving real slow and i turn the wheel and i can only describe it as some kind of creaking noise underneath the front somwhere. I don't feel/hear it any other time apart from slow moving.

Thanks

Thanks Alex

I will get the wheels balanced this week. If it happens to be one of the problems you suggest is it cheap to repair?

[AlexB]

About £20 to balance 4 wheels.

[Isaac Hunt]

About £20 to balance 4 wheels.

Ok cool.

If the other problem i am having is a bearing or the other thing you suggested is that a cheap fix also?

Once again thanks.

[AlexB]

It depends... Ask the garage when doing the balancing. Anything mechanical will involve at least an hour of labour and at least £50 in parts.

[Isaac Hunt]

Thanks for your help.

[IainMW]

Also i have noticed that when i am going at minimal speed in a parking lot for example that when i turn the wheel i can feel/hear something underneath the front somewhere making a slight noise.

Hi Isaac

It might be worth getting the front suspension top mounts\bearings checked out as well. I had them replaced on my old Megane as did my dad. Used to make a twanging noise when manouvering at low speed this could be felt through the steering as well.

Take AlexB's advice and get the other things checked out as well

[Isaac Hunt]

Hi Iain

Is it an expensive job?

Twanging is a good way of explaining it. I think that could be it.

[IainMW]

Hi Iain

Is it an expensive job?

Twanging is a good way of explaining it. I think that could be it.

Well not sure on how much it will cost as both of our cars were repaired under warranty. There are other members who have had the same problem so hopefully they might be able to offer you that advice.

If the car is out of warranty then a good independant garage would do the work cheaper than a Renault main dealer.