Greg's Albi Blue Clio 200

[Big Ben]

Looks great lowered. Glad you like the springs!
I get the feeling that they would be very good on track the way they ride on smooth surfaces.
P.s. Wish my car was that dirty

 

[///M]

SO much better mate!

 

[Greg0986]

After seeing the picture full screen, I went and made right and gave it a quick bath.

Feels good.

 

[Sean197]

Looks so much better without the comedy standard ride height!

 

[Greg0986]

God it looks good this height

DSC_0830 by Gregory Berry, on Flickr

DSC_0823 by Gregory Berry, on Flickr

 

[Sean197]

Looks gorgeous, some carbon or dark door bullets would suit that a treat

 

[Chris]

Looks amazing Greg - nasty kurb on that rear wheel in the time them pics were taken also

 

[Greg0986]

Looks amazing Greg - nasty kurb on that rear wheel in the time them pics were taken also

They are all like that unfortunately. Doesn't help that I routinely park down old residential streets with stone kerbs that stick out and are rough, and not concrete. Saving funds to get them redone.

I got two of them repainted a few months ago, yet it was a **** job and they are starting to peel.

As I was washing the car yesterday, the alloys are the one thing that lets it down now

 

[Greg0986]

So after having a lovely holiday in Devon in the 33c heat...

I had to go down a resurfaced road with iron works sunk into the ground. The result? One destroyed damper...

Ordered 2 replacements on Wednesday from Renault Parts Direct, they arrived today. I decided to try and fit them myself as I had already paid the garage £300 for the top mounts and springs 2 weeks ago.

I set to it at 2 and was finished at 5, so 3 hours to do one side. It was actually surprisingly easy, a total of 6 bolts, compress the springs, give the hub a few (many) taps and simply swap over.

I just wish I knew how to do it 2 weeks ago, I would have saved myself a lot of money.

Oh well, you live and you learn...

 

[Pav]

well done mate on diy..hope all is ok..

 

[Greg0986]

So I fitted the new shock on Friday, but it is still knocking?? It's now had a new shock absorber, grams springs and new top mounts.

It only knocks when going over speedbumps or bumps that both tyres go over. If I put the side with the new shock over a speed bump, it doesn't knock. If I go over the same speed bump with both tyres, it knocks and if I go over the bump with just the other side, it doesn't knock, so to me, it sounds like it's something that links both suspension together.

Could it be the drop link (bar that attaches to the strut) has failed?

Edit: For my and everyone elses future reference:

 

[-Eddie-]

I had a similar knock in my 197. I replaced the shock along with both the top and bottom ball joints before the noise was cured.


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[Greg0986]

I had a similar knock in my 197. I replaced the shock along with both the top and bottom ball joints before the noise was cured.


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I've just torqued the top mount and it isn't making a sound now, so fingers crossed that's sorted it.

 

[Greg0986]

Nope, still making a noise...

I find it only happens if that wheel goes over a bump. The only thing that hasn't been replaced is the drop link.

What are the chances that the new shock is damaged already?

 

[Sean197]

Nope, still making a noise...

I find it only happens if that wheel goes over a bump. The only thing that hasn't been replaced is the drop link.

What are the chances that the new shock is damaged already?

Unlikely the new shock has gone already. Easiest thing to do is jack up the car then get a pry bar and lever against all the bushes etc to check for movement.

 

[Greg0986]

Right, so yesterday afternoon, I received my new drop link. I replaced the old worn one which didn't fix the noise. I then took the damper, spring and top mount out as a piece, stripped it down and rebuilt it. I reinstalled it and tightened everything up best I could and it was silent yesterday night, and most of today, but on the way home from work, I can start to hear it knocking slightly.

This makes me think that something either isn't or something has moved? Any ideas?

Also, the top mount can only fit one way, is that right?

 

[Micah]

I feel for you Greg, it's heartbreaking chasing knocks and rattles. You change something, become hypersensitive and can't believe it's STILL happening!
I did have a knock after my lower ball joint was done, but that was due to a bolt that wasn't torqued up enough:



I'm sure it won't be that simple but wanted to share just in case. Good luck!

 

[Greg0986]

I feel for you Greg, it's heartbreaking chasing knocks and rattles. You change something, become hypersensitive and can't believe it's STILL happening!
I did have a knock after my lower ball joint was done, but that was due to a bolt that wasn't torqued up enough:



I'm sure it won't be that simple but wanted to share just in case. Good luck!

Thanks! I believe something isn't torqued up enough, yet I can't torque any of the bolts as they have hex centres so it just spins and spins...

 

[Micah]

Spanner and socket

 

[Greg0986]

Spanner and socket

For the bolts that have a centre hex bit?