Shed money Clio 172
Discussion
I used Cambridge pro tyre as they're just round the corner.
https://www.protyre.co.uk/garages/cambridge-perfor...
But I've also used revivals in thriplow for suspension work on my impreza.
http://www.revivals59.com/
https://www.protyre.co.uk/garages/cambridge-perfor...
But I've also used revivals in thriplow for suspension work on my impreza.
http://www.revivals59.com/
Too cold to be under the car today.
So instead i had a great drive in the winter sunshine to AW motorworks.
3rd gear is feeling increasingly notchy and crunchy, so time for some more in depth surgery.
The plan is for a gearbox overhall and new clutch, but Alex is also going to go over the car and see what else needs doing to make this 16 year old sheddy shopping wagon into a reliable track day toy..
So instead i had a great drive in the winter sunshine to AW motorworks.
3rd gear is feeling increasingly notchy and crunchy, so time for some more in depth surgery.
The plan is for a gearbox overhall and new clutch, but Alex is also going to go over the car and see what else needs doing to make this 16 year old sheddy shopping wagon into a reliable track day toy..
Cambs_Stuart said:
I'll wait and see how much the gearbox and clutch is going to be first! But yes, it would make sense to do it while the box is out.
Actually, no, given the cost price is fairly close to what i paid for the car!https://www.kamracing.co.uk/car-tuning/renault/ren...
The track plan will be to have a taster session in the new year and I'll see how i get on. I'm realistic about my driving abilities and i suspect it'll take me a while to get brave enough to reach the abilities of a standard 172.
If i ever get to the point where i feel the car is holding me back, I'll see what i can do.
As part of that I'm keeping an eye on the cliosport.net for sale board for some part worn track tyres and wheels. I've seen a few sets come up for £200-£300.
But brakes will be adressed as well.
If i ever get to the point where i feel the car is holding me back, I'll see what i can do.
As part of that I'm keeping an eye on the cliosport.net for sale board for some part worn track tyres and wheels. I've seen a few sets come up for £200-£300.
But brakes will be adressed as well.
Some feedback from AW. There is not too much wrong with the car, apart from the gearbox. Although i was lucky to get away with this on the rad hose:
The gearbox is toast. 3rd gear synchro dead and damage to gear. 4th gear worn, and bearings damaged by swarf. Alex is costing replacing all that vs cost of a refurb box.
The gearbox is toast. 3rd gear synchro dead and damage to gear. 4th gear worn, and bearings damaged by swarf. Alex is costing replacing all that vs cost of a refurb box.
While I've been waiting for Alex at AW to receive a refurbished gearbox and get the clio back on the road, I've also been scouring cliosport, ebay, Facebook marketplace and gumtree for wheels at a good price in the right size, pcd, and offset, and finally found this set of Oz F1s, with almost new (still with the paint marks) toyo proxes, in a very distinctive shade of blue.
These will do for track tyres. I'm aware they're not the strongest wheel in the world, so I'll get them checked for balance and shape when my normal car goes in for tyres in January.
These will do for track tyres. I'm aware they're not the strongest wheel in the world, so I'll get them checked for balance and shape when my normal car goes in for tyres in January.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Tuesday 17th December 08:19
Right then. I've got the clio back and had a really fun drive back through the essex countryside. This little car is such a hoot to chuck about.
The bill from AW was large, but worth it. I've got a new clutch, refurbished gearbox, new brake fluid and it turns out one of the gearbox mount lugs was snapped so that's also been fixed.
It still squeaks, knocks and rattles but I'm glad its back. Now to get on with the rest of the to do list....
The bill from AW was large, but worth it. I've got a new clutch, refurbished gearbox, new brake fluid and it turns out one of the gearbox mount lugs was snapped so that's also been fixed.
It still squeaks, knocks and rattles but I'm glad its back. Now to get on with the rest of the to do list....
One of the many rattles sorted.
There was a clunk coming from the back. The clamp holding the exhaust together was oriented so it was vey close to the rear subframe.
So I've moved that.
Plus the center exhaust mount (which i'd replaced not that long ago) was looking stretched, so that got swapped for a proper renault item.
The lesson is, don't buy cheap exhaust mounts from ebay!
Then as i had the tools out, i replaced the cabin filter and cleaned a load of leaves out of the scuttle. The cabin filter wasn't that bad, which ties up with the good service history the car came with.
There was a clunk coming from the back. The clamp holding the exhaust together was oriented so it was vey close to the rear subframe.
So I've moved that.
Plus the center exhaust mount (which i'd replaced not that long ago) was looking stretched, so that got swapped for a proper renault item.
The lesson is, don't buy cheap exhaust mounts from ebay!
Then as i had the tools out, i replaced the cabin filter and cleaned a load of leaves out of the scuttle. The cabin filter wasn't that bad, which ties up with the good service history the car came with.
LordHaveMurci said:
Will check my exhaust bracket as I also have a noise coming from the back somewhere.
Exhaust hangers are notoriously rubbish, replaced mine with Powerflex last time.
Never changed my cabin filter in 10yrs, is it an easy job?
Really easy. One trim clip in the scuttle, on the drivers side corner. Pull back the rubber strip on top on the bulk head then pull the scuttle panel towards the front of the car until its loose, then lift it up. One 6mm bolt holds the cabin filter box closed. It's a few minutes, max. But I'd recommend youve got a replacement trim clip as they can't always be reused. Exhaust hangers are notoriously rubbish, replaced mine with Powerflex last time.
Never changed my cabin filter in 10yrs, is it an easy job?
A quick update.
The refurbished gearbox AW fitted had an occasional crunch into 5th, so Alex stripped it, and replaced the 5th gear selector ring and now it's a peach.
While I was there i has some powerflex steering rack bushes fitted as there was some movement in the old ones. I'd recommend this to any clio owners out there. Less than £100 and its really tightened up the steering.
I've also ticked a job off the to do list. The high level brake light wasn't working. At some point the clio has had a cup spoiler fitted and the high level brake light for these is now discontinued, so I've had to do a fair bit of ebay trawling to find a new one.
Anyway, 6 torx screws hold the spoiler on, plus the connector to the light and the rear window washer.
Usually the connector corrodes, but the old one looked fine.
But once it was back together and connected it lit up just as Renault intended.
Nice easy, satisfying job.
The refurbished gearbox AW fitted had an occasional crunch into 5th, so Alex stripped it, and replaced the 5th gear selector ring and now it's a peach.
While I was there i has some powerflex steering rack bushes fitted as there was some movement in the old ones. I'd recommend this to any clio owners out there. Less than £100 and its really tightened up the steering.
I've also ticked a job off the to do list. The high level brake light wasn't working. At some point the clio has had a cup spoiler fitted and the high level brake light for these is now discontinued, so I've had to do a fair bit of ebay trawling to find a new one.
Anyway, 6 torx screws hold the spoiler on, plus the connector to the light and the rear window washer.
Usually the connector corrodes, but the old one looked fine.
But once it was back together and connected it lit up just as Renault intended.
Nice easy, satisfying job.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Sunday 23 February 12:32
It's driving fantastically well. Really tight.
As for what's next? I've finally booked a track session:
So I've been doing a bit of checking.
The brakes have a lot of life left, but I'm tempted to get some mintex M1144's just so i don't end up cooking them too quickly...
As for what's next? I've finally booked a track session:
So I've been doing a bit of checking.
The brakes have a lot of life left, but I'm tempted to get some mintex M1144's just so i don't end up cooking them too quickly...
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Sunday 23 February 20:54
Another little job off the to do list.
The interior plastics were sticky and looked tatty, even by old french shopping cart standards and the door lock button rattled at various RPM.
I didn't fancy removing the dash to clear this up so i attacked it in situ, with a plastic pan scrubber and some 99.9% purity isopropyl alcohol.
It required a serious amount of elbow grease, but i got there in the end.
A couple of tips if anyone else wants to have a go.
1. Don't scrub too hard or use a scrubber that is too abrasive or you'll remove patches of the blue sparkly paint underneath.
2. Mask off the area you're working on as the IPA can take the shine off the dash.
3. Don't let any switches fall down inside the dash as they're suprisingly trick to retrieve.
While i was there i also replaced the door handles, which I'd previously sprayed black, with the originals that have had the sticky coating removed.
Overall it's definitely smartened up the interior.
Looking at the speakers, they look like the originals, so
I suspect I'll replace those at some point.
The interior plastics were sticky and looked tatty, even by old french shopping cart standards and the door lock button rattled at various RPM.
I didn't fancy removing the dash to clear this up so i attacked it in situ, with a plastic pan scrubber and some 99.9% purity isopropyl alcohol.
It required a serious amount of elbow grease, but i got there in the end.
A couple of tips if anyone else wants to have a go.
1. Don't scrub too hard or use a scrubber that is too abrasive or you'll remove patches of the blue sparkly paint underneath.
2. Mask off the area you're working on as the IPA can take the shine off the dash.
3. Don't let any switches fall down inside the dash as they're suprisingly trick to retrieve.
While i was there i also replaced the door handles, which I'd previously sprayed black, with the originals that have had the sticky coating removed.
Overall it's definitely smartened up the interior.
Looking at the speakers, they look like the originals, so
I suspect I'll replace those at some point.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Friday 28th February 12:26
frayz said:
Nice updates Stu, deffo look at a pad upgrade but would probably go with something better than a 1144.
Personally i like the offerings from PFC.
Cheers. Where do you get PFC pads for a clio from? My googling skills are failing me. Personally i like the offerings from PFC.
If these are the ones (and I've contacted the seller) then they looks like a good deal...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324052188423
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Friday 28th February 13:10
Batfink said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Cambs_Stuart said:
Actually, no, given the cost price is fairly close to what i paid for the car!
https://www.kamracing.co.uk/car-tuning/renault/ren...
Getting the 'box rebuilt will probably be in the region of £600, not financially worthwhile. https://www.kamracing.co.uk/car-tuning/renault/ren...
Depends what you want from the car, no better time to do it though.
The PFC 05 compound pads are out of stock, but the 097 variant is around so, based on the fact that Frayz is usually right about this stuff, I've ordered a set of these.
https://www.kamracing.co.uk/pfc-97-compound-brake-...
https://www.kamracing.co.uk/pfc-97-compound-brake-...
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Friday 13th March 17:57
Annoyingly, for some unknown reason, my usual parcel drop off point has refused delivery of the PFC pads, so I'll have to use what i've got and pick up a spare set from ECP to take with me to snetterton.
Therefore my track prep has been limited to an oil change.
RDP are selling a filter, sump seal and 5l of oil for £38.
The oil looked like it needed a change.
The old filter put up a fight, but once the fuel rail protector was off and access was easier it came off in the end.
Therefore my track prep has been limited to an oil change.
RDP are selling a filter, sump seal and 5l of oil for £38.
The oil looked like it needed a change.
The old filter put up a fight, but once the fuel rail protector was off and access was easier it came off in the end.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Friday 13th March 17:56
I had an awesome time at snetterton. Absolutely amazing. Nerve-wracking, exciting, and just brilliant. The little clio held up really well to the 6 x 20 minute sessions.
There was a good collection of clios in attendance. I even managed to get in a garage with a really nice 182.
I was worried about the brakes. My delivery of the PFC pads was refused by my local drop off point so i went with what was on the car and took a set of OEM pagids as a back up.
I've no idea what brand they are, but they held up really well. A huge amount of dust though.
This was how much pad was left at the end of the day...
Next up. MOT time. As long as i can find a garage that is still open.
There was a good collection of clios in attendance. I even managed to get in a garage with a really nice 182.
I was worried about the brakes. My delivery of the PFC pads was refused by my local drop off point so i went with what was on the car and took a set of OEM pagids as a back up.
I've no idea what brand they are, but they held up really well. A huge amount of dust though.
This was how much pad was left at the end of the day...
Next up. MOT time. As long as i can find a garage that is still open.
Quick update.
First the clio passed it's MOT, on the second attempt (failed due to side repeaters not working).
The MOT station was very quiet, so they gave the car a good going over when it was on the shaker, trying to find the cause of the clunk. They suggested the wishbones are on the way out. Alex at AW said the same so i definitely think that'll be the next big job.
Not sure if that's a job i can tackle on my own, so i might have to wait for the isolation to be over.
Anyway to celebrate the MOT, i gave the car a good wash 'n' wax and fitted a fabia splitter.
I'd give myself a 6/10 for positioning.
The wax i used was from detail freaks, and to be honest i was disappointed. It just fell apart and mashed as i was applying it. Works well on black plastics and smells good, but i won't be buying again.
This was a new pot after 3/4 of a clio.
First the clio passed it's MOT, on the second attempt (failed due to side repeaters not working).
The MOT station was very quiet, so they gave the car a good going over when it was on the shaker, trying to find the cause of the clunk. They suggested the wishbones are on the way out. Alex at AW said the same so i definitely think that'll be the next big job.
Not sure if that's a job i can tackle on my own, so i might have to wait for the isolation to be over.
Anyway to celebrate the MOT, i gave the car a good wash 'n' wax and fitted a fabia splitter.
I'd give myself a 6/10 for positioning.
The wax i used was from detail freaks, and to be honest i was disappointed. It just fell apart and mashed as i was applying it. Works well on black plastics and smells good, but i won't be buying again.
This was a new pot after 3/4 of a clio.
Edited by Cambs_Stuart on Friday 10th April 17:29
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