Shed money Clio 172
Discussion
Cambs_Stuart said:
And wear gloves when using that 3M kit, or the skin will peel off your fingers the following day.
I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t chuckle at that, but while I’m sorry to hear your hands could be better, the delivery made me laugh.A good couple of updates, looks like the other bush was a total pain, but absolutely worth it for the improvement in handling. Here’s to warmer days and not hatch enjoyment!
darkyoung1000 said:
I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t chuckle at that, but while I’m sorry to hear your hands could be better, the delivery made me laugh.
A good couple of updates, looks like the other bush was a total pain, but absolutely worth it for the improvement in handling. Here’s to warmer days and not hatch enjoyment!
It's like picking PVA glue off, but less pleasant. A good couple of updates, looks like the other bush was a total pain, but absolutely worth it for the improvement in handling. Here’s to warmer days and not hatch enjoyment!
Absolutely to the hot hatch fun. The Clio is currently overnighting at the MOT test station while they have a play with the handbrake. Once that's sorted I'll be going over it to get ready for some track time...
So, that was a MOT test to forget.
The issue with the handbrake was that it was below 30% on the drives side. There was also fluid oozing out from the handbrake mechanism on the caliper. You can see here that it's over the inside of the wheel (this is after it's been investigated by two garages).
This caliper was changed last MOT. So I contacted the garage that fitted it to ask if they would have a look. They did, and their response was "It's 2 days out of warranty, we'll quote you for a new one". I wasn't happy about this, so took the car back and went to fit a new caliper myself with a 5 year warranty.
Then I broke the hardline going ino the caliper. Naively, I'd assumed that, as it had been apart about 2000 miles and 12 months ago, it would be ok to do at home.
So I clamped the flexible part of the line, and ordered a new hardline. This took a while to arrive. I also contacted a very good mobile mechanic as I was running low on patience. This proved to be a good descision.
The clamp wasn't sufficient, so the brake fluid was slowly dripping out, which meant the brake lines were full of air.
Thankfully, due to a lot of skill, patience and perseverance Jody (mobile mechanic) managed to bleed the system.
Which meant I could go back and get an MOT. Hooray!
More stuff was picked up. One of the front top mounts is a bit worn, and as I've been driving it about there is a knocking rattle from the back. The engine also feels "flat".
So I've booked a trackday on 14th June to give myself a deadline.
The job list is.
1. New front top mounts.
2. Sort out rattle/knock from the back.
3. Engine/gearbox oil, filters and check the plugs.
4. High level brake light doesn't work
The issue with the handbrake was that it was below 30% on the drives side. There was also fluid oozing out from the handbrake mechanism on the caliper. You can see here that it's over the inside of the wheel (this is after it's been investigated by two garages).
This caliper was changed last MOT. So I contacted the garage that fitted it to ask if they would have a look. They did, and their response was "It's 2 days out of warranty, we'll quote you for a new one". I wasn't happy about this, so took the car back and went to fit a new caliper myself with a 5 year warranty.
Then I broke the hardline going ino the caliper. Naively, I'd assumed that, as it had been apart about 2000 miles and 12 months ago, it would be ok to do at home.
So I clamped the flexible part of the line, and ordered a new hardline. This took a while to arrive. I also contacted a very good mobile mechanic as I was running low on patience. This proved to be a good descision.
The clamp wasn't sufficient, so the brake fluid was slowly dripping out, which meant the brake lines were full of air.
Thankfully, due to a lot of skill, patience and perseverance Jody (mobile mechanic) managed to bleed the system.
Which meant I could go back and get an MOT. Hooray!
More stuff was picked up. One of the front top mounts is a bit worn, and as I've been driving it about there is a knocking rattle from the back. The engine also feels "flat".
So I've booked a trackday on 14th June to give myself a deadline.
The job list is.
1. New front top mounts.
2. Sort out rattle/knock from the back.
3. Engine/gearbox oil, filters and check the plugs.
4. High level brake light doesn't work
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Wednesday 31st May 14:59
Glad to see you got an MOT in the end, although it sounds like getting there was a pain in the backside. Poor service from the garage, and I wonder how well they'd greased everything before putting it back together after last time...
Are the hard lines of a standard diameter? If so, a flaring tool and a roll of kunifer might be a plan for the future.
Good deadline to be working towards, I look forward to the updates! I need to get on track again this year (probably on a bike though).
Are the hard lines of a standard diameter? If so, a flaring tool and a roll of kunifer might be a plan for the future.
Good deadline to be working towards, I look forward to the updates! I need to get on track again this year (probably on a bike though).
darkyoung1000 said:
Glad to see you got an MOT in the end, although it sounds like getting there was a pain in the backside. Poor service from the garage, and I wonder how well they'd greased everything before putting it back together after last time...
Are the hard lines of a standard diameter? If so, a flaring tool and a roll of kunifer might be a plan for the future.
Good deadline to be working towards, I look forward to the updates! I need to get on track again this year (probably on a bike though).
The hardline is a standard part from Renault, it's solid from the junction on the rear axle, then there is a flexible section just before the caliper before terminating as a hardline again. I was lucky in that another clio owner nearby had one but Renault parts direct have them on the shelf. Various place offer braided hose replacements too. Are the hard lines of a standard diameter? If so, a flaring tool and a roll of kunifer might be a plan for the future.
Good deadline to be working towards, I look forward to the updates! I need to get on track again this year (probably on a bike though).
Cambs_Stuart said:
The hardline is a standard part from Renault, it's solid from the junction on the rear axle, then there is a flexible section just before the caliper before terminating as a hardline again. I was lucky in that another clio owner nearby had one but Renault parts direct have them on the shelf. Various place offer braided hose replacements too.
Thanks for clarifying the layout. Now you mention it, I recall a similar arrangement on a Laguna I was working on once, that snapped in the same place while I was trying to undo it….Good luck with the track prep!
Spinakerr said:
Great to hear the MOT was finally ticked off, sorry to hear you had to get ticked off in the process! Some garages are just not keen on repeat customer, or standing by their work, it seems.
Have fun at the track.
It's a shame, they just to be really good, for a chain. But they had a change of management, all the old team left and now it feels like any generic fast turnover tyre/MOT/alignment place. Have fun at the track.
First thing fixed and root cause identified. The a rattle from the rear.
When I fitted the rear beam bushes I was very pleased with my cunning idea to use a slightly shorter M10 bolt. I was so pleased with my good idea I didn't question why the M10 i had in the shed needed a 14mm spanner.
It was because it was a 3/8" bolt left over from another project. Therefore about 0.4 mm too thin.
So I've been out and replaced it with the right size. Changing the bolts on the rear beam is a pain, even when you've done it before. And having to do it just because you're an idiot who can't label things isn't a nice way to spend a bank holiday afternoon.
When I fitted the rear beam bushes I was very pleased with my cunning idea to use a slightly shorter M10 bolt. I was so pleased with my good idea I didn't question why the M10 i had in the shed needed a 14mm spanner.
It was because it was a 3/8" bolt left over from another project. Therefore about 0.4 mm too thin.
So I've been out and replaced it with the right size. Changing the bolts on the rear beam is a pain, even when you've done it before. And having to do it just because you're an idiot who can't label things isn't a nice way to spend a bank holiday afternoon.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Monday 29th May 16:29
Another thing off the to do list.
Fresh engine oil and filter:
And fresh gearbox oil.
I chose motul oil as the elf was out of stock and motul listed this as suitable for the JC129 gearboxes.
Both oils looked great coming out, clean, clear and with no bits it. These are the 9th engine oil change since I've owned it, and the 4th gearbox oil change.
Last gearbox change i made a right mess. This time i had a better solution than the pump, a funnel with a long hose:
Bad news is that the power steering pump switch looks like its leaking again.
More seriously, having bought some "new design" top mounts i couldn't get the old mounts off of the struts, and I've mangled the half nut in the process. So that will take some thinking to put right. I also may need to apologise to the neighbourhood for all the swearing...
I wish these were on the car.
But someone sent a message to cheer me up:
Fresh engine oil and filter:
And fresh gearbox oil.
I chose motul oil as the elf was out of stock and motul listed this as suitable for the JC129 gearboxes.
Both oils looked great coming out, clean, clear and with no bits it. These are the 9th engine oil change since I've owned it, and the 4th gearbox oil change.
Last gearbox change i made a right mess. This time i had a better solution than the pump, a funnel with a long hose:
Bad news is that the power steering pump switch looks like its leaking again.
More seriously, having bought some "new design" top mounts i couldn't get the old mounts off of the struts, and I've mangled the half nut in the process. So that will take some thinking to put right. I also may need to apologise to the neighbourhood for all the swearing...
I wish these were on the car.
But someone sent a message to cheer me up:
That suspension top mount sounds like a pain in the backside. I see that the struts are out from your photo, is it now refusing to release the top mount from the shock as there’s nothing for it to brace against? Have you got a friendly local garage you could run them down to so that they could assist with the removal if it came to it?
Good news on the engine, gearbox and sky painting at least….
Good news on the engine, gearbox and sky painting at least….
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