5th Feb 2006, 15:29

5th February 2006.

I fitted a new pressostat on the power steering line as it was dripping out PS fluid. Problem is there is still another leak on the PS circuit. I keep topping up the PS reservoir, but the level is slowly dropping.

FED UP so decided to take drastic action... put the car up on ramps and removed plastic guard under engine bay to examine the steering rack. Good old Renault have done it again, another fine example of crap engineering. Both PS fluid pipe connections to the rack are held in by one puny allen cap head screw. The only thing stopping PS fluid pi***ng out from each line is a measly O ring. Now (obviously) on a vehicle such pipework is subject to vibration. Poor show Renault, these connections may be suitable for lower pressure circuits (Heater matrix, for example) but they are NO good for hydraulic circuits operating at some 10-15 bar. I sorted out the leak using some common sense engineering practice. Its not rocket science.

BTW, there is a CD manual of recent Renault models available from a seller on Ebay. This CD is very useful when you are in it deep, like I was.

13th Mar 2006, 18:14

14/3/2006.

After having 2 new track rod ends fitted the handling of the car actually seemed to get worse. Car felt like it wasn't gripping the road properly and seemed to dance about over bumps and potholes. Checked out the new track rod ends bought from Renault against the old ones removed. The new ones are longer than the originals!!! Front tyres are now scrubbed on the inner edge down to the belting. B***s.

The sooner I can get rid of this excuse for a vehicle, the better. I wouldn't dream of selling it on to some unknowing and unfortunate so I just have to wait a couple of years (thatlong?} until it devalues down to around 100 quid. {2nd hand Laguna 2's are as cheap as chips in the trade)

I guess nobody wants one.

Certainly money (14000) down the drain as far as I am concerned.

25th Mar 2006, 17:38

25/3/2006.

Both front tyres are scrap. Caused by tracking? being out. Took the car to be retracked and have two new tyres.

Front wheels moving in/out of wheel arch by almost an inch.

Bushes worn out on the A frame (body mountings) on both the left and right wheel.

New A frames - £59 each, £118 parts cost.

27th Mar 2006, 16:13

Replacing the front wheel A frames (front swinging arms) was not too difficult. I allowed 6 hours to replace these. Sure enough the rubber bushes had deteriorated (rotted).It must be the crap rubber that finds its way into these parts. Perhaps the bushes are made from rubber regrinds from the tyres I just took off and scrapped??

Its so good to be able to drive a car that doesn't steer off when it feels like it. It almost feels like driving a new car again.

Oh, bottom marks to Renault 'designers' for positioning of the bolt holding the frame to the body.Its almost impossible to remove the back bolt on each frame as the bolt hits the bulkhead making it almost impossible to withdraw it.

Makes a 1 hour job into a 10 hour marathon. Bad engineering considering these bushes are so crap that the A frames have to be replaced. My car has now done 56K miles.

29th Mar 2006, 15:47

What can I tell you about the coils that have not already been said! A 2000 model with 45,000 miles on the clock, I have owned it for the last 18 months, in general I think the car is very good in all aspects, great when it's raining too, open the window slightly and you get a free shower! Anyway back to the main problem... five sets of coils in 18 months, beat that...!

24th May 2006, 10:48

Panic over!!. The handbrake can be tensioned by opening a little flap in the bottom of the centre armrest. I didn't even know it was there, it's well covered by flock carpet.

Handbrake cable ends had jumped out of the handbrake tensioner bracket. M14 spanner and a few turns sorted it out, only a 10 minute job.

31st May 2006, 16:45

Hi.

I also have a Laguna II on an 01 plate. Had to replace a rear brake caliper on 58k at the cost of £220 for the part from Renault.

Now the rear suspension has started to make an awful groaning noise when going over different heights, like off my drive onto the road. Not sure what the cause of this is yet, but will probably cost easily in excess of £100.

My tyre pressure sensors also play games, but in all temperatures.

4th Jun 2008, 04:20

I guess I must has a rare Laguna 2 then only fault I have is the rear bushes £30 part off e-bay will fit myself. Other than the OSF tyre sensor leaking 175,000 miles on my 04 plate and no major issues to report. It had, had a lot of money spent of repairs before I bought it though so mabey that has ironed the majority of the bugs out. Even the interior doesn't rattle. *touch wood*

9th Jul 2008, 07:56

Mine does a fair bit of rattling in fairness.

Question for those in the know, my car is coming up to the 100k mark and it is in pretty good nick, I got MOT completed recently also and had to do a bit of work on steering (tracking rod etc) and brake pads - this was done by mechanic.

I then bought new tyres (natural wear and tear) on-line and then had the local tyre fitting crowd (won't mention names) put on and balance. The chap there stated that I need new brake discs as they are beginning to age, ruin brake pads etc.

My question is:

- how long do brake discs generally last in these cars (mine have been in since day 1)?

- My Mechanic said that pads should be fine, hence I am worried that tyre fitting crowd are trying to over complicate the problem to get some cash in.

Comments would be appreciated.

30th Jul 2008, 16:18

My 01 Laguna is a pile of crap! The key-card won't start my car anymore. It only locks my car when I bend the card slightly! And I've lights coming on saying I've flat tyres. Can't wait to get rid of it. Anyone fancy buying it??? It's not that bad!!!

21st Nov 2008, 12:19

I have had an 03 2.2DTI Laguna Dynamic Tourer for 18 months. I had a 98 Laguna before which was the most reliable car I've ever had, not so with this model! Bought it with only 25k miles on the clock (I guess now it spent most of the time in the garage!), now done 42k miles. Had rear bushes changed, injector wiring, 3 leaking injectors, Xenon headlamp unit replaced as it filled with water, loose exhaust heat shield, new rear discs, clutch slips when you give it a bit of welly, 2 17" alloys bent from pot holes, now the steering is knackered, maybe inner track rod ends, garage said it's OK! Also back end hops about, maybe shocks but garage again said it's OK! Due for cam belt change but I'm inclined to cut my losses and trade it in. Shame, it was a lovely car but it's costing a fortune and I wonder what's next to go. I'll never buy another Renault.