2003 Renault Clio Ball Joint Replacement & Subsequent B

MI-FLETCHER

MEMBER
2003 RENAULT CLIO

Suspension problem
2003 Renault Clio Manual 30000 miles

Hi there,

A good family friend serviced my car 2 weeks before an MOT and found no problems.

I then took it to a large chain for an MOT (as I moved across the country), who failed it on excessive play in the front nearside lower suspension ball joint. They replaced this and has ever since been squeaking while moving (during acceleration, cruising, rolling to stop etc.)

I took it back a couple of times and they're now saying the front brake caliper is seizing, causing the brakes to 'stick' hence the squeaking.

This makes sense, though I want to know whether THEY touched the caliper whilst changing the ball joint. The squeaking was not there until they worked on the car.

They claim that they don't touch the brakes whilst changing the parts, and with my layman's knowledge think this is untrue, and that the slightest misalignment could cause this problem?

Any help/advice would be much appreciated.

Mark

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,938 POSTS

Hi there,

Unfortunately the data base I have access to dose not cover your car, but. In most late modal cars the lower ball joint is bolted to the lower control; arm, and this would not require the brakes to be touched to replace it. I will try and locate a hard copy manual to confirm this. Even if the brakes were removed, there is nothing that should cause a miss alignment which will cause your problem, modern calipers bolt on with two bolts and the pads are self aligning, if anything is amiss they just wont go back together and allow the pad locking device to be fitted.

Mark (mhpautos)