Shed money Clio 172

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Discussion

longbrownlog

18 posts

55 months

Monday 23rd September 2019
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Cracking car for the money. These along with EP3 Type Rs are to cars to buy now. They'll only go one way from one on.

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Saturday 28th September 2019
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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...

Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 28th September 18:16


Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 28th September 18:59

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Sunday 29th September 2019
quotequote all
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.

olliep82

10 posts

64 months

Sunday 29th September 2019
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Cambs_Stuart said:
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.
That's likely to be down to a knackered lower dog bone engine mount. Wise to check all three whilst you are at it, they are a common weak point on these.



Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Sunday 29th September 2019
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The lower mount has been replaced with a fairly new looking polt bushed version, and i couldn't feel any play in it when I was underneath, even when using a pry bar.



The only mount i haven't changed is the gearbox...

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 29th September 2019
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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.

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Sunday 29th September 2019
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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

26,500 posts

180 months

Sunday 29th September 2019
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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.

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Sunday 29th September 2019
quotequote all
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...

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Saturday 5th October 2019
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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?


Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Saturday 9th November 2019
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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.

Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 9th November 18:14

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Saturday 9th November 2019
quotequote all
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.

Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Saturday 9th November 18:18

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Saturday 9th November 2019
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And i can confirm the PhilipM bushes as as good as Frayz said. A lot less vibration, but still a direct connection between the engine and chassis.

frayz

2,629 posts

158 months

Sunday 10th November 2019
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Great job fella.
Glad to see you're progressing with it, each little step it just gets better and better. They drive lovely on Cup dampers don't they, also pleased you found similar with the PhillipM bushes. I think they're superb smile

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Sunday 10th November 2019
quotequote all
Just had a little drive in the morning sunshine. Yes, those clio cup dampers and springs are just perfect for a b road.

frayz

2,629 posts

158 months

Sunday 10th November 2019
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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. smile

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Wednesday 13th November 2019
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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?

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
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. smile
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.

Cambs_Stuart

Original Poster:

2,834 posts

83 months

Wednesday 13th November 2019
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And because I'm an old tart from essex, I've added some ebay stickers.


LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Wednesday 13th November 2019
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Cambs_Stuart said:
And because I'm an old tart from essex, I've added some ebay stickers.

Oh dear.