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Renault Espace - Steering Stiff/No Self-Centering*FIXED*

36K views 28 replies 21 participants last post by  madnoel10 
#1 ·
I have a problem with steering on my 1999 2.2DT grande espace. The steering gradually got stiff. It will now not straighten itself up coming out of corners.
I have so far replaced the strut bearings, changed the power steering pump(2 in fact out of the scrapyard), and fitted a reconditioned rack.
This has slightly improved but not solved the prob. As you can imagine costs are rising and patience is dwindling. Any advice on what to try next? Many thanks
 
#2 ·
Hi:confused: :confused: god iam sorry to here this,iam sorry but the only thing that springs to mind would be something to do with the power steering to be honest,as you said you have changed it twice iam just wondering if there is a blockage somewhere iam beat to tell you the truth but iam sure someone might put there finger on it for you all the very best Donald.
 
#5 ·
Thanks folks
Have already replaced the pipe from the pump to the rack (had to as the old one was completely seized into rack and was wrecked taking it out).
Have not tried the universal joint in column. Is this the joint at the bottom of the column? Can it be replaced seperately or will it be a new column? Is it a big job?
Thanks again
 
#8 ·
Hi Skerry - Well done - glad you found the source of the problem - the only problem with WD40 is that whilst it is good at penetrating it doesn't hang around for long and tends to dry out - I suggest you give it another blast with WD40 and then some light weight lubricant such as 3-in-one oil or a lightweight spray grease. Whilst it may be a hassle to do it would be much cheaper than having to replace the UJ in the future.:)
 
#9 ·
I had this issue on my 1999 Grande Espace.
WD40 failed to free it up so a replacement steering column was sourced and installed by my local garage.
The part was £330, all in £500 incl VAT.
The mech. showed me the old part afterwards, the column has 2 UJs on it, it was the lower one that had seized up.
Car drives like new again, steering self centres and everything. :)
 
#13 ·
At the bottom of the steering column on the Espace when you pull back the carpet there is a big rubber boot. It is awkward to shift but it will slide up the column. When you move it you will see the universal joint.
Good idea to jack the front of the car up and lash on the WD40 whilst turning the wheel.
It won't cost you anything other than a little time so it's worth a go.
As was pointed out earlier in the thread, the WD does dry out so every now and then I oil it.
 
#16 ·
Hi mate i had same problem on my espace couple of year ago the steering would stiffen up i couldnt even make it round corners.
To cut a long story short i found out from a reno spec that the UJ joint at the bottem of the steering colum near the pedals can seize up from time to time i sprayed mine with penertrating oil and stood turning wheel fro 20min and hay presto! i put some greece round it and never had a problem with it again just a thought.:cool:
 
#17 ·
Just to add a tip. After freeing up with a penetrating oil inject some Molyslip oil around the moving bearings of the UJ...a useful tool is the syringe you get with the printer ink refill kits, or buy a small one from a farmers outlet shop or even try a vets. The molyslip is suspended in the oil (engine oil molyslip additive is ok) and even when the oil has dried up the moly stays put on the metal.
Further tip is to smear the moly onto any oil seals before fitting them...makes them last vastly longer.
Also have used it on the hydraulic break cylinder seals.....cloth whetted with moly.....rub well onto sealing surface for a while and wipe off surplus with clean cloth.....the moly will have stayed put.....it is quite a tenuous substance to clean off! :d
 
#18 ·
I have no specific renault experience but, my son has recently had the same problem on his discovery after an offroad session after bending his steering damper and introducing loadsa friction. Try jacking up both front wheels and see if you can turn the wheels by hand. I know its not much but, it may start you off on the right track(no pun intended) Good luck.
 
#21 ·
I had a couple of problems with my 00 mk3 Espace.
Master/slave hydraulics for clutch and Heavy steering which we put down to a proper leaking power steering pump.
A local mechanic diagnosed the problems for us but didn't fancy the work and on this occasion we decided to go to Renault Main Dealer in Liffey Valley Dublin.. We booked the car in telling them our problems and also what we had been told we needed.
They ordered the parts € 800 and requested this be paid up front. The car was supposed to be in for 2 days but ended up in for 7 days including w/end. They gave us the car back with the job done but the service manager said the steering wasn't fixed (in fact it was worse) really heavy then light and heavy again. We paid up our €1340 or so to Renault. The Manager told us it was a problem with the steering rack and it would require a new rack and a days labour. I was gutted as the car isnt even worth the total cost of repair.

Having read this thread i decided to take the advice and hey presto a good soaking in wd40 - a drive - and a dousing of grease it steers perfectly.. Well i rang the garage and told him what i thought!! He then warned me about using the internet and told me there was a risk of this sticking and this wasn't the answer to my problem...I Promptly replied with so how many replacement parts would i have went through before getting to the REAL nub of my problem.

Renault Main dealers -- Do not bring if your expecting that little bit more care or better diagnosis.

Thanks for this post -- :toast:
 
#23 ·
I'm having to replace the column on my Espace,the lower UJ seized and I freed it up,but now it has begun to wear and there is a slight amount of free-play in the steering.I managed to source a complete second unit for £30 in good condition,that'll be the next job to be done on it before the MOT.

If anyone is interested there is a reconditioned column on eBay at the moment,the lower UJ has been replaced on it and the seller wants £125 which is a decent saving over the Renault price.There are also specialists out there that can replace the UJ's although I have no idea how much they charge.A quick Google search should show up a number of companies.
 
#27 ·
In my experience main dealers are good at changing boxes until they find the problem. I had a VW diesel that started to pour out black smoke. I was pretty sure it was a blown intercooler pipe. The main dealer plugged in his computer and assured me it was the EGR valve.

Stupidly I paid up and sure enough the car still smoked. This time they did as I asked and took off the undertray to find a split intercooler hose.

Next time I will tell them that I will pay when they solve the problem but Im not paying a penny for them to just swap parts at my expense.
 
#28 ·
I could hear quite a bit of noise under the car before parking up on the drive, later on i went to reverse out and my steering wheel was locked, could not turn the wheel either way. I noticed fluid on the floor behind the car from when i drove up onto the drive. Could this be the same problem for me? Can i just use wd40 and some grease/oil?
 
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