tcw's Clio 197

[sevenfourate]

A difficult subject to talk about, I guess some of it is preference, and some of it is very subjective.

In this case I changed some old fluid to new fluid which was probably most of the difference I was noticing, though I'm finding it a lot easier (in the few miles I did on the road) to brake closer to the threshold without triggering the ABS, also there is less travel before you can feel the brakes engaging (there was a bit before which I was really not happy with).

Overall for the £40 I think they are worthwhile, the old lines would've been around 10 years old and as such replacing them is not a bad ideal anyway.

Thanks.

Yea....as opposed to people who've changed discs,pads,fluid AND fitted lines at the same time; you'd nearly 'only' changed the lines. So your report is really helpful

The less travel on the pedal part was what i was wanting to hear....and i'm not surprised if replacing old rubber parts that are probably now expanding with the pressure; compared to some new lines where pressure is now going directly to the caliper / pads.

Enjoy your stoppers !!

 

[LOCKE]

Lines look good mate for 40 quid that's a steal.

 

[tcw]

The light issue returns, not quite the same as before though... cornering lights remain working, and they adjust up/down when toggling full beam. Front bumper off again tomorrow by the sounds of it.

 

[Pro-Line Motorsport]

Glad you are happy with the hoses

 

[Imzz200RS]

Bit more progress this weekend. No more issues with the lights, so going to assume that's fixed for now.

This weekend it was time to change the brake fluid, and the brake lines too as it happens. I picked up a set of the braided lines from @Pro-Line Motorsport for £40 on Black Friday!!!

Really happy with them, they look awesome and give a nice consistent feel. Changing was brake fluid is also a good idea regardless, it looked a bit past its best.

For those interested 10mm, 11mm, 13mm and 14mm spanners are all that was needed. I didn't encounter anything too daunting, though one of the bleed nipples seems to have a lot of crap in the thread, or is cross threaded so I went easy with that one, and will look into replacing it soon.

Only a few photos as my bloody phone died, can't wait to get it sorted out next week, bloody Apple! (https://www.apple.com/uk/support/iphone6s-unexpectedshutdown/)

how much fluid did it take?

 

[tcw]

Time for an update.

Not that much has happened over the winter, a clean every now and again, and lots of fuel. I did however give the wheels a refurb, there was some pretty bad kerbing present on one of the wheels, with a small amount on the others, this has been there since I bought the car so I decided it was time to tackle it. I've never really painted anything before but I thought I'd give it a go, not displeased with the results, it's far from perfect but a big improvement on what was there.

I also ordered quite a bit of stuff this week, planning on tackling quite a few jobs pre MOT this weekend. I'll try my best to take photos as I go. Any tips/tricks/advice welcome.

• Genuine track rods
• Genuine track rod ends
• Brembo High Carbon front discs
• Mintex 1144 front pads
• Stainless HEL bleed nipples
• I'm also hoping a new braided fuel hose will arrive (after the last one split on Easter Sunday!!!).

Images of the wheel refurb below.


Side before refurb

Inside wheel before cleaning

Wheels after prep

Wheels after primer

Primed and painted

Side after refurb

Fast Show - front

Fast Show - side

 

[Pav]

diy refurb??best way..you have to try it once at least..looks good..hope all is ok for the mot..

 

[tcw]

diy refurb??best way..you have to try it once at least..looks good..hope all is o for the mot..

Yep did them myself - actually much better than I expected, I will definitely be doing them myself again in the future. I hope all is well for the MOT - can't see anything huge to worry about.

 

[VanHalsing]

The wheels are lookin nice wich color did you use?

 

[tcw]

@VanHalsing I used the a Mercedes colour - I'll dig out the proper name later, but it's very very very close to the Ford Rado Grey.

Some goodies arrived today!

Track rods and ends.

Discs, pads and pins.

Discs, pads and pins.

 

[tcw]

Time for another update. I got the track rods, track rod ends, discs and pads changed in preparation for the MOT tomorrow. I did also replace the clamps on the exhaust. I spent some time tonight sorting out the alignment, running approx 0.8mm toe out on each side for now. Didn't change the bleed nipples/fluid yet - simply haven't had the time. Hoping to get the braided fuel hose I bought fitted on Sunday, possibly the bleed nipples and fluid too depending on time. I also bought some new p clips to sort out the braided line routing, it's very close ATM but not actually rubbing thankfully.

Track rods, track rod ends, discs, and pads
Track rods, track rod ends, discs, and pads
Track rods, track rod ends, discs, and pads
Track rods, track rod ends, discs, and pads
Alignment

 

[tcw]

Not updated this for a while... a few small bits recently. Lots of pictures below - really really happy with the car. Few small things need doing, going to start to add powerflex mounts etc as they are tired. Flexis on manifold are starting to go, but going to have a think about which way to take it from here (OK, I've already thought quite a bit about a meg engine, maybe late this year). Most importantly I want to take it on more track days and improve my driving. Mintex 1144's held up OK on track but obviously could be better.

Set of Laguna Silverstones and AD08R (thanks Ben Patey) for track.

Stud conversion - no spacers on track (the laguna have a decent ET anyway).

Braided fuel line sorted out (thanks Jade Developments)

Made a heatshield to replace the POS fiber thing which was torn apart. Will make a proper nice one when the engine is out...

Test fit of the alloys

Preparation for Snetterton

Snetterton evening yesterday

 

[Pav]

nice..same wheels as mine for track..believe Paul at RST has developed a supercharger kit for a clio too..

 

[sevenfourate]

Are you leaving the Track-wheels red....they suit the car really nicely. I like alot. And Silverstones are great anyway

So have you actually done your day at Snetterton yet, was that today.....or ?

HOW DID IT GO ?

 

[tcw]

Are you leaving the Track-wheels red....they suit the car really nicely. I like alot. And Silverstones are great anyway

So have you actually done your day at Snetterton yet, was that today.....or ?

HOW DID IT GO ?

I picked the colour and got them powdercoated - I like them a lot more than I expected to actually, definitely going to be staying red.

The track evening was Monday - really enjoyed it, car performed well. It was only my third trackday and I couldn't be happier. Definitely need to improve my driving, will look at getting instruction next time I have a full day. Great fun throwing it into the corners, especially with the AD08R, I left the traction control on as a safety net this time, and honestly it only came on a couple of times for a few brief moments.

Can't wait to book another...

 

[tcw]

Some trackday photos:

 

[Big Ben]

How did you find the Yoko's?

 

[tcw]

@Big Ben no complaints with the tyres at all - though I don't suspect my driving is challenging them just yet.

Time for another update - not too much to mention really - service using ELF 5w40, Genuine filter. Bedford track day. Moved flat. Starting a new job on Monday.

Booked on to Blyton for the morning of CS.net Festival - will possibly try and squeeze another track day/evening in this year.

New parking space - warm and underground for the Clio

Stuff storage - will need to look for a unit soon, it appears people are not happy with this stuff "being in the way"

Service and inspection prior to trackday.

Obligatory trackday photo.

 

[sevenfourate]

Busy, busy boy by the sounds of it !

Track day shot 1 is the 'classic' cock-a-leg shot. Your car looks great doing it too....

Love the red wheels on too.

 

[tcw]

Another trackday booked, Snetterton on the 16th. Replacing the clutch tomorrow morning, got another genuine manifold with decent flexis too which I'm going to put on whilst I'm at it. New fluid and general check over too.