172 - a few issues
Discussion
hiya chaps
Picked up a 172 last week. Its a 2003 but a bit leggy but cosmetically was in good nick and i liked the idea of its smaller rims and also the lowering springs made its body control feel really tight (although it does get a bit choppy/bouncy over really bumpy roads).
So far so good and I'm finding the car an absolute hoot. I had a GTi-6 last year but didn't like it so much but this is a total ball and IMO the true successor to the 205.
I had a knocking noise which i sorted which turned out to be a badly placed exhaust clamp hitting the subframe and my top engine mount needs replacing, but I am still getting a rotational grinding noise that sort of comes and goes in relation to the turning of the front wheels. It happens in neutral, in gear or with the clutch in and its mainly noticeable at low speed when slowing down through say 15-10-5mph. Its clearly coming from the front end. Any ideas ? I checked the driveshafts but they seem ok ? Maybe its the gearbox on its way out atlhough the gearchange seems fine and i have no problems with selection, grinding or the lever popping out of gear.
The other problem is the brakes. They are Tar-ox uprated things and tar-ox pads but they seriously fade ? Are these supposed to be any good ? Maybe they just need replacing and I need some decent fluid in there.
Would be grateful for any input chaps.
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Picked up a 172 last week. Its a 2003 but a bit leggy but cosmetically was in good nick and i liked the idea of its smaller rims and also the lowering springs made its body control feel really tight (although it does get a bit choppy/bouncy over really bumpy roads).
So far so good and I'm finding the car an absolute hoot. I had a GTi-6 last year but didn't like it so much but this is a total ball and IMO the true successor to the 205.
I had a knocking noise which i sorted which turned out to be a badly placed exhaust clamp hitting the subframe and my top engine mount needs replacing, but I am still getting a rotational grinding noise that sort of comes and goes in relation to the turning of the front wheels. It happens in neutral, in gear or with the clutch in and its mainly noticeable at low speed when slowing down through say 15-10-5mph. Its clearly coming from the front end. Any ideas ? I checked the driveshafts but they seem ok ? Maybe its the gearbox on its way out atlhough the gearchange seems fine and i have no problems with selection, grinding or the lever popping out of gear.
The other problem is the brakes. They are Tar-ox uprated things and tar-ox pads but they seriously fade ? Are these supposed to be any good ? Maybe they just need replacing and I need some decent fluid in there.
Would be grateful for any input chaps.
No idea about the grinding noise, sorry.
RE the brakes - Not known anyone to run Tar-ox on the 172 and they do sound pretty cack if they are fading (this could be down to fluid however, as you say). FWIW I never suffered fade on the standard setup. Did 'upgrade' to Greenstuff pads at one point. Was not impressed. Ultimately I switched to DS2500 pads which along with braided lines, good fluid, Brembo HC discs did provide a noticable step on from OE. There is not much wrong with the standard stoppers for road use IMO.
RE the brakes - Not known anyone to run Tar-ox on the 172 and they do sound pretty cack if they are fading (this could be down to fluid however, as you say). FWIW I never suffered fade on the standard setup. Did 'upgrade' to Greenstuff pads at one point. Was not impressed. Ultimately I switched to DS2500 pads which along with braided lines, good fluid, Brembo HC discs did provide a noticable step on from OE. There is not much wrong with the standard stoppers for road use IMO.
I'd doubt it is your gearbox making the noise, if occurs when slowing down in neutral, without braking.
Does it not occur the faster you go?
Regarding the brakes, can you explain fade? Do you mean their performance drops off once hot...or, do you mean you are getting a sinking pedal?
Does it not occur the faster you go?
Regarding the brakes, can you explain fade? Do you mean their performance drops off once hot...or, do you mean you are getting a sinking pedal?
i dont get a sinking pedal.. just a lack of braking power when i brake from high speed. Its as if at the end of the braking there isn't much stopping going on any more.
maybe i'm expecting too much
regarding the grinding/vibration, at low speed its like a ticking noise, almost like when you stick a playing card into the spokes of a bicycle wheel
at higher speed you don't hear the clicking anymore but it manifests itself just in general vibration up through the pedals and from the front drive
its definitely not normal. It doesn't feel or sound right. The nearside driveshaft is a little loose but only a small bit and both bearings are fine.
thanks very much for your help guys
I'm real busy at the mo but might find a decent Cliosport specialist and run it down to them when i have a clear day. I have to say I absolutely love the car ... it's a total hoot, just so much fun so I will prolly spend a lump on it when i have time and maybe do all the brakes as a matter of course. In a way its got me thinking that maybe I should sell it an buy a trophy. If they are this much fun then I would be happy to spend a bit more.
maybe i'm expecting too much
regarding the grinding/vibration, at low speed its like a ticking noise, almost like when you stick a playing card into the spokes of a bicycle wheel
at higher speed you don't hear the clicking anymore but it manifests itself just in general vibration up through the pedals and from the front drive
its definitely not normal. It doesn't feel or sound right. The nearside driveshaft is a little loose but only a small bit and both bearings are fine.
thanks very much for your help guys
I'm real busy at the mo but might find a decent Cliosport specialist and run it down to them when i have a clear day. I have to say I absolutely love the car ... it's a total hoot, just so much fun so I will prolly spend a lump on it when i have time and maybe do all the brakes as a matter of course. In a way its got me thinking that maybe I should sell it an buy a trophy. If they are this much fun then I would be happy to spend a bit more.
jackal, I just picked up a 2002 Clio 172 yesterday. 2 owners and only 38k miles, in very nice condition 
A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
996GT2 said:
Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation
Sounds good 
Seriously though, I have to say mine feels pretty stable at the rear. It is just sort of understeering mostly on tighter turns and I don't find the rear nervous at all. It's generally pretty planted.
Are you going to Cobham tomorrow ? Bring it along and we can compare notes
996GT2 said:
jackal, I just picked up a 2002 Clio 172 yesterday. 2 owners and only 38k miles, in very nice condition
A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
What rear pressures/rubber are you running? Try lowering them by 0.2bar if youre running factory pressures.A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
GTP rpm said:
996GT2 said:
jackal, I just picked up a 2002 Clio 172 yesterday. 2 owners and only 38k miles, in very nice condition
A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
What rear pressures/rubber are you running? Try lowering them by 0.2bar if youre running factory pressures.A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
The car's got a fresh set of Marangoni Zeta 195/45/16 - the rears are at 31 psi (cold) and the fronts are around 32 psi.
Not sure what the factory pressues should be.
Could the fact that the tyres are new lead to the back end feeling so skitty?
Jackal, probably going to take the GT2 tonight, although tempted to take the Clio. Can't stop driving it at the moment, don't think I've owned anything that comes close in terms of grin factor.
996GT2 said:
GTP rpm said:
996GT2 said:
jackal, I just picked up a 2002 Clio 172 yesterday. 2 owners and only 38k miles, in very nice condition
A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
What rear pressures/rubber are you running? Try lowering them by 0.2bar if youre running factory pressures.A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
The car's got a fresh set of Marangoni Zeta 195/45/16 - the rears are at 31 psi (cold) and the fronts are around 32 psi.
Not sure what the factory pressues should be.
Could the fact that the tyres are new lead to the back end feeling so skitty?
Not sure about the difference between left and right turns you are feeling, does'nt sound right. But the backend jumping around 'a bit' at speed over bumps/undulations is not unusual IMO. My 172 Cup used to step out a few degrees on the brakes sometimes!
All this talk is making me want another as a runabout now
John D. said:
996GT2 said:
GTP rpm said:
996GT2 said:
jackal, I just picked up a 2002 Clio 172 yesterday. 2 owners and only 38k miles, in very nice condition
A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
What rear pressures/rubber are you running? Try lowering them by 0.2bar if youre running factory pressures.A quick question about the handling seeing as you're used to yours now! Mine feels very nervous in left hand turns, the back seems to want to step out without too much provocation, on bad road surfaces I've had to catch it a few times. Strangely it doesn't feel like this in right hand bends, even on poor surfaces. Also, the back end seems to jump around a fair bit when hitting pot holes and other dips and bumps.
I'm hoping that it's just normal and I need to adjust to it, does it sound similar to yours?
The car's got a fresh set of Marangoni Zeta 195/45/16 - the rears are at 31 psi (cold) and the fronts are around 32 psi.
Not sure what the factory pressues should be.
Could the fact that the tyres are new lead to the back end feeling so skitty?
Not sure about the difference between left and right turns you are feeling, does'nt sound right. But the backend jumping around 'a bit' at speed over bumps/undulations is not unusual IMO. My 172 Cup used to step out a few degrees on the brakes sometimes!
All this talk is making me want another as a runabout now
I've had a look under the car and can't see anything wrong or any leaks (not that I know what to look for) as I thought the driver's side rear suspension might be the reason but it behaves as expected in normal driving.
Did these cars come with daylight sensing lights? Mine seems to have these, very impressed.
Ian_sUK said:
Sounds like it could be a rear damper, they have a habit of leaking. You can get them for around £50 and are very easy to change.
A knackered spring or damper was my original thought, I can't see any evidence of leaks but a dodgy damper could explain why it's more twitchy on left handers I suppose.The car has spent its life in London so the dampers could probably do with a refresh. It's going in for the cam belt soon so I'll ask them to have a look.
Defcon5 said:
I hate it when people buy these, it makes me want to go get one too.
do it !!!just done 250 miles in mine today to somerset and back (Ariel cars as it goes)
its just bonkers ! so much fun ...
i think the lowering springs add quite a lot to the experience... its just mental, buncy but massivley planted and rollerskate-esque
and the power in 5th at around the ton is right in the sweet spot
was with a F430 convertible on the way down for 40 miles or so and I stayed with him no probs off of all the roundabouts on the A303... fast little beggars these clios
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