suspension problem

[dcw@pr]

driving my car this evening it felt a bit odd - like the front right suspension was muchsofter than the left. When I got out of the car and checked, sure enough it is much easier to push down one side of the car when you stand at the front and lean on the headlight. I can wobble the offside easily whereas the nearside hardly moves. It feels to me as if the damper has gone on the offside...

I haven't been following this forum recently so I don't know the latest intel, but what should I expect when I take it to the dealer? Will they have a way of measuring it scientifically, and is it fixable under warranty?

Any pointers much apreciated!

 

[scott]

If its stil in warranty they should fix it as long as your miles are low, from my previous experiences if the miles are quite high they will make u pay.

These dampers are not like normal crap anyway, they can be sent away and repaired rather than replacing.

 

[Cue]

speak to Donkey, www.racecardoctor.co.uk.

Reno will charge you anything up to £1500 for a new damper, They can't refurb them, don't let them anywhere near them (they are not made by Reno, They're Sachs dampers)

I'd only let Sachs refurb them.

 

[Ash87]

I think you will find the front shocks are only covered by reno in the FIRST year.
like wheel bearing etc its not all it seems 3yrs huh.

 

[dcw@pr]

Update:

I spoke to donkey, and we established that the damper has definitely gone. I hadn't noticed that the car was slightly lower on one side, but having measured it it is about a centimeter down. He has advised me that getting the dampers sent back to Sachs is relatively easy so that is maybe what I will do.

However, I am taking it to Renault Cambridge tomorrow, they seem reasonably confident that if it has actually failed (which is has) then they will replace it under warranty.

We shall see...

 

[Matt X2C]

does donkey own/work at racecardoctor then?

So thats why they are aspecialist in Clio Trophy's :lol:

Tell him i'll be taking my westfield there for a geo and corner weighting as soon as its on the road :wink:

would take the trophy too, but seems silly getting it camber'd if it will be sold as standard later in the year!

 

[g40steve]

Get them to check your top mounts heard the rubber can colapse.

 

[dcw@pr]

OK

I took the car in for a check, and despite being told first of all that they couldn't find a problem with the suspension I managed to convince the head engineer within about 5 seconds that the shock had gone once I actually got to meet him.

The bad news is that the shocks cost £1250+VAT, and it is categorically NOT covered under warranty. Due to my low mileage and full service history I did manage to convince Renault Customer Services to contribute towards the cost, to the point where I was happy for them to replace it. The work is done now and the car feels back to its old self, which is a big relief.

I obviously got a big result here, so it is worth getting your dealer to speak to customer services, and you may need to speak to them too. All in all I am happy.

 

[Cue]

i thought that may be the best result you could hope for.... I'd have bought your old shock back off the garage and had it refurbed.....

 

[dcw@pr]

i've asked for the old one, but apparently renault might want it back.

 

[Matt X2C]

i've asked for the old one, but apparently renault might want it back.

probably so they can refurb it themselves and sell a used one to the next person in your situation...which is a bit offside!!!