Shed money Clio 172
Discussion
Krikkit said:
Good if frustrating progress, keep ploughing on mate!
If you have a dodgy UCH then I'd recommend picking up the barrel transponder/UCH/ECU as a set from eBay. All you need to do is check your version on the ECU+UCH and match them to your new set.
It's easy to fit and cheap enough, swap the blade between keys to avoid fiddling with the barrels on the car.
Thanks. Its always annoying when the time you've set aside to work on the car is swallowed up by trying to shift a seized nut. I had the top mount sitting in a bath of oil for hours and it still wouldn't shift. I broke an allen key working on it. If you have a dodgy UCH then I'd recommend picking up the barrel transponder/UCH/ECU as a set from eBay. All you need to do is check your version on the ECU+UCH and match them to your new set.
It's easy to fit and cheap enough, swap the blade between keys to avoid fiddling with the barrels on the car.
To be honest, I'd not heard of a UCH until you mentioned it, but I'll keep an eye out for electrical gremlins.
More tinkering.
When i was changing the engine mounts i noticed the inner and outer arb bushes were looking a bit past it.
So, the first was a learning experience, but after a bit a messing about with pry bars the old was off and the new on.
In the passengers side the nut was rusted/seized in place, and after some effort the inevitable happened.
Thankfully i had something similar sized in the tool box and managed to get it back together.
Access to the inner bushes isn't great, so they can wait for a day when I've got access to a 4 post lift.
The clunk/knock from the front is still there, so i jacked up the engine again, loosened the mount, pulled the engine forward and the was definitely some movement. I re-torqued the bolts and went for a drive. For 100 glorious meters i thought I'd done it, but no, the clunk is still there. A trip to AW is now on the cards...
When i was changing the engine mounts i noticed the inner and outer arb bushes were looking a bit past it.
So, the first was a learning experience, but after a bit a messing about with pry bars the old was off and the new on.
In the passengers side the nut was rusted/seized in place, and after some effort the inevitable happened.
Thankfully i had something similar sized in the tool box and managed to get it back together.
Access to the inner bushes isn't great, so they can wait for a day when I've got access to a 4 post lift.
The clunk/knock from the front is still there, so i jacked up the engine again, loosened the mount, pulled the engine forward and the was definitely some movement. I re-torqued the bolts and went for a drive. For 100 glorious meters i thought I'd done it, but no, the clunk is still there. A trip to AW is now on the cards...
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 28th September 18:16
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 28th September 18:59
So, the to do list looks like this.
1. Sort out suspension. I need something softer, with a bit more travel.
2. The clunk. Need to work out what it is. Not really a rattle over bumps, just a double clunk stopping and pulling away that i can feel through the pedals.
3. ARB bushes need replacement.
4. Missing n/s arch liner needs fixing.
5. High level brake light doesn't work.
6. Upper grill a bit faded.
7. Oil and fluids change.
8. A proper clean and detail.
9. Sticky plastics inside.
1. Sort out suspension. I need something softer, with a bit more travel.
2. The clunk. Need to work out what it is. Not really a rattle over bumps, just a double clunk stopping and pulling away that i can feel through the pedals.
3. ARB bushes need replacement.
4. Missing n/s arch liner needs fixing.
5. High level brake light doesn't work.
6. Upper grill a bit faded.
7. Oil and fluids change.
8. A proper clean and detail.
9. Sticky plastics inside.
DoubleTime said:
I changed almost all bushes. I also had a similar clunk that only occurred when pulling away. Very annoying. Turned out to be a worn powerflex wishbone bush.
I won't be too upset if that poly bush has to go, i think it's passing a lot of N&V into the cabin. Other possible suspects are CV joints, top mounts (although there is no noise when steering at low speed), or wishbones. Having said that, there is not a rattle over bumps that you usually get with wishbones, arbs and suspension components. When the wheels were off the ground i gave them a good yank, top to bottom and side to side and there was no play.
Krikkit said:
Do you have a local MOT place that has one of those shaker 4 part rigs? I found a tricky rattle on one of my cars because we put it on one and had a good poke about.
I'll do some calling.This lot look after my passat:
http://germantechcars.co.uk/
And they did a lot of bush and suspension component work when i got it. Hopefully they will do french cars too...
So, a bit more tinkering before i address the bigger clunkier issues.
First i got hold of the missing piece of wheel arch liner:
So hopefully the wires behind it will get a bit more protection from the elements.
Second, when trying to work out how the airbox went back on i realised i was missing the fuel rail protector. Some people remove them to save weight and improve access to the engine.
I'd rather have the extra half kg and reduce the risk of a fire.
I also tried to get hold of a new high level brake light, but the one i got sent was a lot different, despite the part number being listed for a 2.0 Renault sport clio.
Any suggestions?
First i got hold of the missing piece of wheel arch liner:
So hopefully the wires behind it will get a bit more protection from the elements.
Second, when trying to work out how the airbox went back on i realised i was missing the fuel rail protector. Some people remove them to save weight and improve access to the engine.
I'd rather have the extra half kg and reduce the risk of a fire.
I also tried to get hold of a new high level brake light, but the one i got sent was a lot different, despite the part number being listed for a 2.0 Renault sport clio.
Any suggestions?
Had a good, if very cold, morning with the clio.
First up was a new lower engine mount. The poly bush version was really hard and transmitted a lot of noise and vibration into the cabin. Frayz recommend a set uf inserts made by PhilipM on clio sport.net
https://www.cliosport.net/threads/phillipm-enginee...
So i got hold of an old mount, and after some tool abuse managed to remove the old bushes.
A colleague at work has a bush press and kindly pushed in the new inserts.
Thanks Tom.
First up was a new lower engine mount. The poly bush version was really hard and transmitted a lot of noise and vibration into the cabin. Frayz recommend a set uf inserts made by PhilipM on clio sport.net
https://www.cliosport.net/threads/phillipm-enginee...
So i got hold of an old mount, and after some tool abuse managed to remove the old bushes.
A colleague at work has a bush press and kindly pushed in the new inserts.
Thanks Tom.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 9th November 18:14
I also found a fairly low mileage, newish set of cup suspension, with the all important 54mm hub spacing.
So all good to go.
Not many pictures as it was freezing, and i was in a hurry. I was worried the bolts holding the strut to the hub would be seized, but everything came apart and went back together no problem.
I did have a lot of help from Jody Watorowski, who is a good local mobile mechanic and thanks to him this took two hours. I suspect if it was just me then it would have taken all day and involved a lot more tears swearing and bleeding knuckles.
The difference is fantastic. The clio is no magic carpet, but it no longer crashes over bumps. The steering feels better, and it just feels more agile compared to when it had those lowering springs. I should have done this the day i got it.
We tried a selection of pry bars on the inner arb bushes and there isn't any play in them, so they can wait for a warmer day. In a garage with a proper lift.
However, Jody did notice a crack in the ABS sensor, and a small amout of play in the track rod ends. So two things off the list, but two more added.
So all good to go.
Not many pictures as it was freezing, and i was in a hurry. I was worried the bolts holding the strut to the hub would be seized, but everything came apart and went back together no problem.
I did have a lot of help from Jody Watorowski, who is a good local mobile mechanic and thanks to him this took two hours. I suspect if it was just me then it would have taken all day and involved a lot more tears swearing and bleeding knuckles.
The difference is fantastic. The clio is no magic carpet, but it no longer crashes over bumps. The steering feels better, and it just feels more agile compared to when it had those lowering springs. I should have done this the day i got it.
We tried a selection of pry bars on the inner arb bushes and there isn't any play in them, so they can wait for a warmer day. In a garage with a proper lift.
However, Jody did notice a crack in the ABS sensor, and a small amout of play in the track rod ends. So two things off the list, but two more added.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 9th November 18:18
Sometimes working on cars doesn't quite go to plan.
I had stripped the sticky coating off of some cheap door pulls, hoping to respray them and then replace the unpleasant ones currently on the clio.
Undercoating went ok.
Although there were some crinkly bits where i hadn't managed to get all the old sparkly paint off.
However the satin black I've used is much too shiny and dark.
So i think I'll have another go. Any colour suggestions?
I had stripped the sticky coating off of some cheap door pulls, hoping to respray them and then replace the unpleasant ones currently on the clio.
Undercoating went ok.
Although there were some crinkly bits where i hadn't managed to get all the old sparkly paint off.
However the satin black I've used is much too shiny and dark.
So i think I'll have another go. Any colour suggestions?
frayz said:
Ive got 4 new Cup dampers to fit to mine, but im still tempted by the Bilstein B14 kit. Ive heard reports of even better ride quality over the Cup setup. However ive not driven a car with them so cant say for sure.
It would be nice to get the car sitting a little lower just for visual appeal.
Its tempting, but how unhappy are you with the current set up? I think, even though it's not perfect, the cup springs and dampers suit the car really well, for the occasional use i give it. It would be nice to get the car sitting a little lower just for visual appeal.
Another cold Saturday crawling around on the drive.
This time track rod ends.
The ABS sensor didn't fit, so that stays on the to do list.
I also suspect there is some dodgy wiring. It failed to start on Wednesday, but as soon as i pulled the cover off the fuse box and tried again, it sprang into life...
This time track rod ends.
The ABS sensor didn't fit, so that stays on the to do list.
I also suspect there is some dodgy wiring. It failed to start on Wednesday, but as soon as i pulled the cover off the fuse box and tried again, it sprang into life...
DoubleTime said:
Dodgy connection could be starter motor. It happened on my 172 a few months ago. Couldn’t for the life of me figure it out then mr AA man said these cars are prone to a very simple connection on the starter coming lose and the car not starting. Leaned over the engine, gave it a wiggle and started on the button. Hasn’t been an issue since.
It turned over fine, i could hear the pump prime, just no spark. I suspect either a dodgy connection to the coil pack or a fuse. frayz said:
Looking good Stuart. I’ve got a huge box of bits to fit which include inner and outer track rod ends. I need do sort a date for geometry and then do those and the rack bushes at the same time.
It’s supposed to be dry tomorrow so may get some other bits on mine if I can.
I'd be interested in how you get on with the rack bushes. It was a really good value (and quick) mod on my impreza. It’s supposed to be dry tomorrow so may get some other bits on mine if I can.
The rest of the steering rack on mine looks a lot newer than the rest of the car. I suspect its been replaced at some point...
So, today the clio has been for a tracking check.
Before.
Not too bad for a driveway alignment.
And after.
Front camber still slightly off, so some camber bolts may be needed...
Thinking back to when i first bought it, and how on the drive home wondering if I'd made a horrible mistake, it's now a lot more fun to drive and a lot less clunkly and rattly. There's still work to be done tightening it up but I'm please with the progress so far.
Before.
Not too bad for a driveway alignment.
And after.
Front camber still slightly off, so some camber bolts may be needed...
Thinking back to when i first bought it, and how on the drive home wondering if I'd made a horrible mistake, it's now a lot more fun to drive and a lot less clunkly and rattly. There's still work to be done tightening it up but I'm please with the progress so far.
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