RE: Renaultsport Clio 197: PH Carpool
Discussion
R8Steve said:
Most likely the swivel hub assemblies need replacing, not the easiest of jobs.
Annoyingly the balljoints don't come separately and come as part of the wishbone assembly.
Cheers mate - I know it could be a number of things, I've read numerous advice posts and there's all sorts suggested from steering racks, ball joints, top mounts, knuckle joints, entire hubs, to even 'salt getting into the top mount'(!). I'll get to the bottom of it eventually.Annoyingly the balljoints don't come separately and come as part of the wishbone assembly.
culpz said:
In terms of the gearbox, yes they are a well-known and highly-documented issue. However, many people with 172/182's seem to have replaced their gearboxes several times aswell. Some even 3/4 times in total which doesn't seem to be as well known as these ones for some reason. It's just something to be aware of and account for if/when it does eventually happen.
The 172/182's usually crunch into third so a lot of people do change the gearboxes but it is a pointless exercise as it comes back pretty quickly, the gearboxes themselves don't fail that often though. The 197 boxes lose the gears altogether, normally 3rd or 4th so no option just to ignore the crunch with them.Is anyone aware of the gearbox issues being resolved in later models? Mine is an 09 model on 70k and the gearbox is smooth as silk, been perfect. I wonder if these issues may have been resolved as the facelift 200 was released shortly after mine was registered and I would like to think Renault sorted this problem out prior to a new facelift / model being released.
R66STU said:
I think he was as surprised as me to still be on his tail at at what was showing 150mph on the speedo.. This is no lie, and i really didnt think the car would go that fast. but in top gear and high revs it just pulled and pulled..
If standard there is no chance of anywhere near 150mph, they struggle to do 130.Renault quoted 134, autocar couldn't get more than 131.
To do 150mph it would need to be doing nearly 9k rpm.
R8Steve said:
The 172/182's usually crunch into third so a lot of people do change the gearboxes but it is a pointless exercise as it comes back pretty quickly, the gearboxes themselves don't fail that often though. The 197 boxes lose the gears altogether, normally 3rd or 4th so no option just to ignore the crunch with them.
From what i've heard, it's not just crunching it's the gearbox going altogether, like you just described with the 197/200 'boxes. I don't think they would get it re-done 3-4 times and have the car trailered/recovered to get it fixed if that's all it was.culpz said:
R8Steve said:
The 172/182's usually crunch into third so a lot of people do change the gearboxes but it is a pointless exercise as it comes back pretty quickly, the gearboxes themselves don't fail that often though. The 197 boxes lose the gears altogether, normally 3rd or 4th so no option just to ignore the crunch with them.
From what i've heard, it's not just crunching it's the gearbox going altogether, like you just described with the 197/200 'boxes. I don't think they would get it re-done 3-4 times and have the car trailered/recovered to get it fixed if that's all it was.R8Steve said:
It probably does happen, granted, i've had 8 172/182's though and never had any gearbox issues past the 3rd gear crunching, including my current one which is running 290bhp. I had to replace 2 gearboxes in 4k miles on the 197.
Next car for me will be a 172/182 so i'm probably just seeking re-assurance. So in that regard, thank you 
Some people have no issues at all. It's just like the whole piston 4 thing with the Corsa VXR. Just pays to be aware.
RSteve said:
Is anyone aware of the gearbox issues being resolved in later models? Mine is an 09 model on 70k and the gearbox is smooth as silk, been perfect. I wonder if these issues may have been resolved as the facelift 200 was released shortly after mine was registered and I would like to think Renault sorted this problem out prior to a new facelift / model being released.
From what i'm aware, no it doesn't. People with Clio 200's have had the same issue. The gearbox revision for the later 197 models was just the better gear ratios from the 200 i believe. I don't think there was any sort of revision to sort the gearbox issues that some people were having, much to the disgust of owners.I'm happy to be corrected but i'm sure this is the case, unfortunately. Seems to be luck of the draw i'm afraid. Some people have no issues at all whereas others have had several gearbox replacements. Renault don't believe it's a defect from their end which causes much frustration and debate about the whole thing.
JMF894 said:
He was going downhill.................... 
I know what i saw on the speedo, and have no reason whatsoever to lie. I have no idea if the car was modified as i bought it second hand, all i know is that it had a nice stainless exhaust. I have no idea if the cup was any faster or if the speedo's are just wildly out .. watch this.. and this is a 172 model..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brn5zqkCUkA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy67P5zDduc
Neither of these are 197's, i cant find a video online... And if i am right the 197 Cup i had was a bit lighter than the standard 197 too, so with the exaust and filter, maybe my car was remapped? is my claim really that outrageous??
Anyway believe it if you like, or not.. i know what it did..
Edited by R66STU on Monday 23 January 17:55
R66STU said:
JMF894 said:
He was going downhill....................
I know what i saw on the speedo, and have no reason whatsoever to lie. I have no idea if the car was modified as i bought it second hand, all i know is that it had a nice stainless exhaust. I have no idea if the cup was any faster or if the speedo's are just wildly out .. watch this.. and this is a 172 model..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brn5zqkCUkA
The speedo might have said 150 but the gear ratios mean it would need to be past the rev limiter in 6th to
do so.
here you go.. a 200 model but worth the watch, (152 on the speedo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S0cU4tYIhU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S0cU4tYIhU
R66STU said:
R8Steve said:
The 172/182's are faster.
The speedo might have said 150 but the gear ratios mean it would need to be past the rev limiter in 6th to
do so.
I dont disagree with you, but it said 150 on the speedo, thats all im saying. The speedo might have said 150 but the gear ratios mean it would need to be past the rev limiter in 6th to
do so.
Workings out as follows
Autocar achieved 131 at around 6800 rpm in 6th on the bowl in an 1800 mile car - they usually reckon a couple or 3 mph more is possible on a long straight given the absence of tyre scrub....... Say maybe a real 134 ( achieving max revs in 6th would be a true 141/142 ) on a very new one
Now on the test car it was doing a real 70 at indicated 75 ( 30 was indicated 33 )
A lot of road test cars would often be showing 10% over read at 3 figures ( most seem more accurate nowadays but there's still the odd big liar tested! )
I reckon you could touch about 150 with enough speedo discrepancy
Andy20vt said:
Sorry to disappoint but unless fairly heavily modified, absolutely no chance a 197 is getting to 150, not even downhill with a tailwind. Mine would start to struggle to pull at anything over 120. I know what you said you saw but I'm calling BS on this.
If yours wouldn't pull past 120 (on the speedo)I would say it's fu**ked mate, or something wrong with it..I think as proven by other videos and comments it is possible to see that on the speedo.
Anyway I can't be arsed to argue.
Great cars and good read.
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