182 handling - problem
Discussion
Help please!
I have owned a 182 with cup packs for the last 5 years. During the last 6 months I have felt the handling deteriorate which I thought was the rear shocks. There is a tiny amount of oil leaking from one but neither my Renault dealer nor a tyre/suspension/exhaust outlet thought that was serious enough to warrant replacement.
The symptoms are crashing over some bumps (when it didn’t before) and some skipping/sliding on bumpy corners at speed – both effects felt at the rear.
Does this sound at all familiar to anyone? Any suggestions as to what it might be or what I could investigate?
I have owned a 182 with cup packs for the last 5 years. During the last 6 months I have felt the handling deteriorate which I thought was the rear shocks. There is a tiny amount of oil leaking from one but neither my Renault dealer nor a tyre/suspension/exhaust outlet thought that was serious enough to warrant replacement.
The symptoms are crashing over some bumps (when it didn’t before) and some skipping/sliding on bumpy corners at speed – both effects felt at the rear.
Does this sound at all familiar to anyone? Any suggestions as to what it might be or what I could investigate?
Yep. Rear shocks go. Get it replaced. I had both go pretty much together – the back end went right out on me – bit like a rear wheel drift. Think they are about £60 quid each from memory.
As you look at the bottom of the shock it will be damp with an oily sheen – compare it to the other side. That means the seal is broken on the damper.
As you look at the bottom of the shock it will be damp with an oily sheen – compare it to the other side. That means the seal is broken on the damper.
Thanks for your replies. I'll check the spring but if my dealer and the tyre place both missed a broken spring then they should be shot! I think you're right and it will be the damper - that's what I've thought all along, it's just surprising the garages have both said the amount of oil leaking is so small that it shouldn't matter. I'm surprised too - I'd have expected a small puddle of oil at least.
sneakypete said:
Yep. Rear shocks go. Get it replaced. I had both go pretty much together – the back end went right out on me – bit like a rear wheel drift. Think they are about £60 quid each from memory.
As you look at the bottom of the shock it will be damp with an oily sheen – compare it to the other side. That means the seal is broken on the damper.
This happened to me. Both shocks seemed to go at once and the car felt dangerous at any speed over about 40. It just felt that the car was on ice at the back. Once I got them replaced it went back to having great handling.As you look at the bottom of the shock it will be damp with an oily sheen – compare it to the other side. That means the seal is broken on the damper.
Have a look here... http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=279...
Welcome!
If you want to make a good improvement to your handling without ruining your ride try a set of these with new shocks... http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=246...
I have the Coilovers which are great in terms of handling and looks but it's a bit harsh.
If you want to make a good improvement to your handling without ruining your ride try a set of these with new shocks... http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=246...
I have the Coilovers which are great in terms of handling and looks but it's a bit harsh.
SteveS Cup said:
Welcome!
If you want to make a good improvement to your handling without ruining your ride try a set of these with new shocks... http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=246...
I have the Coilovers which are great in terms of handling and looks but it's a bit harsh.
I can vouch for these, if anything they improved the ride. If you want to make a good improvement to your handling without ruining your ride try a set of these with new shocks... http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=246...
I have the Coilovers which are great in terms of handling and looks but it's a bit harsh.
nobodyknows said:
SteveS Cup said:
Welcome!
If you want to make a good improvement to your handling without ruining your ride try a set of these with new shocks... http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=246...
I have the Coilovers which are great in terms of handling and looks but it's a bit harsh.
I can vouch for these, if anything they improved the ride. If you want to make a good improvement to your handling without ruining your ride try a set of these with new shocks... http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=246...
I have the Coilovers which are great in terms of handling and looks but it's a bit harsh.
Thanks again although I am a little bemused as to why changing the springs but keeping the standard dampers would make such a difference. I'm not questioning your experience and it's clear from what you say that it does. I would have thought that if the OEM springs and dampers are well matched, then making a change to one wouldn't be a good idea. Perhaps that means Renault didn't get it quite right? I must say, having spent quite a bit getting my TVR to handle well, I was really impressed when I bought the Clio as it handled so well 'out of the box'.
Eibach springs aren't just some cheap crap which has been made purely to lower the car for looks. I believe they're made to match to standard shocks but with better characteristics which reduce roll, they're more progessive etc etc.
I'm no suspension expert in anyway shape or form and yes, matched shocks n springs are better, but Eibachs are great.
I have the Coilovers which I love, handling is vastly improved, looks are perfect but you sacrifice comfort! I'm not a kid who has just wound them right down so the car scrapes, I'm just fussy about having the front and rear of the car in the right proportion... 5mm off either way can make or break the look of a car imo.
The Cup setup from standard is a great bit of kit, these springs will make it better... if sacrificing a slight bit of comfort (which lets face it, it's a Clio Sport, I take it you didn't buy it for it's cruisability on the motorways!?)
I'm no suspension expert in anyway shape or form and yes, matched shocks n springs are better, but Eibachs are great.
I have the Coilovers which I love, handling is vastly improved, looks are perfect but you sacrifice comfort! I'm not a kid who has just wound them right down so the car scrapes, I'm just fussy about having the front and rear of the car in the right proportion... 5mm off either way can make or break the look of a car imo.
The Cup setup from standard is a great bit of kit, these springs will make it better... if sacrificing a slight bit of comfort (which lets face it, it's a Clio Sport, I take it you didn't buy it for it's cruisability on the motorways!?)
GarryM said:
Thanks again although I am a little bemused as to why changing the springs but keeping the standard dampers would make such a difference. I'm not questioning your experience and it's clear from what you say that it does. I would have thought that if the OEM springs and dampers are well matched, then making a change to one wouldn't be a good idea. Perhaps that means Renault didn't get it quite right? I must say, having spent quite a bit getting my TVR to handle well, I was really impressed when I bought the Clio as it handled so well 'out of the box'.
Having owned a 172 cup for 3 months, i can say that despite also owning a tvr, its taught me all about s
t build quality and reliability...but still, when it works its great fun!
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