172 Cup OEM+

[plenty]

There's no spacer nut that I've read on other threads?

You've got the older style mounts. The newer ones have spacers and a separate nyloc nut, not the integrated nut.

 

[bowen86]

You've got the older style mounts. The newer ones have spacers and a separate nyloc nut, not the integrated nut.

Assume they're OK to use?

 

[plenty]

They should be fine. They were replaced with the newer style because some owners experiencing knocking due to a gap between the two top-mount pieces. If you get that, a large washer placed over the damper rod before screwing the hat on will sort it.

 

[bowen86]

They should be fine. They were replaced with the newer style because some owners experiencing knocking due to a gap between the two top-mount pieces. If you get that, a large washer placed over the damper rod before screwing the hat on will sort it.

Pm'd

 

[npt]

I would defo get coilover covers and coat them with proper wax oil bud, bilstein is a good comfortable coilover if you don't lower it too much

 

[bren172]

And the "Genuine OEM rebuilt caliper" turned out to be a cheap knock off from China, so back that goes.

Where can I get a (decent) genuine caliper?

Where did you order this one from?

 

[bowen86]

Ordered it from ECP from memory.

Does anyone know the part number for a rear caliper for a 172 Cup?

Other news I fitted the front coilovers, realised before I fit them I needed the thin 17mm nut and spacer from the original suspension.

I noticed through searching on CS.net, I'd fitted the rear spring and adjuster the wrong way around. I'd pu the adjuster at the bottom, which is usually the common practice. Wrong, with the bilsteins the adjusters go at the top. Adjusters at the bottom mean the springs are upside down and some people report a bouncy ride.

I didn't want to take the risk so decided to flip them around. Simple right? Well yes, but not so in my case.

When putting the lower shock bolt in I managed to mangle the thread. Big "oh shiiiiiit" moment. Short of buying a new rear beam and having the ball ache of fitting it and bleeding the brakes, I really thought I was up the creek.

Somewhere in the tool draw, I found an M12 tap and began slowly threading it in.

Pleased to report it worked a treat and the thread is saved.

Still yet to actually take the Clio out on the new suspension. First impressions and having fit them as them were delivered, the height seems spot on.

Will update when I get a chance to take it out.

 

[MrBlonde]

There a great coilover for the road mate,mine lasted 10 years or so.I would of got them again but liked the adjustabilty and spring rate change you get with bc's.

 

[plenty]

Those lower shock threads are fragile. Pretty sure mine won't take more than about 100 Nm torque without cross-threading. Hopefully 100 Nm and some threadlock will keep the bolts in.

 

[bowen86]

Fitted a caliper I bought of @SKINTasPER earlier in the week. They ideally need a rebuild but I needed to see if I could solved the knock from the rear passenger caliper that's been haunting me for weeks now.

Yes it's red and will be getting painted.

Buttoned everything up and off we went.

Bilsteins fitted as they came out the box. The rear needs tweaking as it's sitting slightly higher than I'd like.

First impressions, the knock seems to have gone! Although I am still waiting for it. I was also hyper sensitive to other noises coming from the suspension I'd just fitted. But I didn't hear anything, well, other than the usual clio rattles.

Suspension - really impressed. It's got rid of the quite crashy suspension that was on there and made it more compliant over bumpy roads.

 

[andybond]

senger caliper that's been haunting me for weeks now.

Are you gravitex / schutz / some other brand protected on your arches here?

 

[bowen86]

Are you gravitex / schutz / some other brand protected on your arches here?

Page 2. Full undersealed and input the full details of the products ueed there. I can't actually recall off the top of my head. If you go back, you'll have more images and the list of products etc.

 

[andybond]

Page 2. Full undersealed and input the full details of the products ueed there. I can't actually recall off the top of my head. If you go back, you'll have more images and the list of products etc.

Thank you. I should have checked. That was me being lazy.

 

[bowen86]

I'd only have gone back to page 2 myself to remind myself what was used and there's more images there which you might find useful too. 👍

 

[bowen86]

Took it for a slightly longer drive today, rather than up and down my street.

Bilsteins have really impressed me. Smoothed out the crashy ride. It's firm but not overly. Considering the fitment is how they came out the box (measured to check the fronts and rear were equal to each corner), I'm happy with the height too.

The knock from the rear has also (holding my breath!) GONE. Everytime I was braking at slow speed I was waiting for it, but it does seem to have stopped. The brakes do need another bleed.

Some service bits next, oil & filter, plugs and gearbox oil.

 

[bowen86]

The one odd caliper wasn't doing it for me.

Stripped

Repainted

And with all that, I'm pleased to say the knocking has gone! Cheap caliper was at fault all along.

It's driving so good now. Really pleased with where it is currently.

To do list:
Oil & Filter
Plugs
Gearbox oil
Front discs and pads

 

[bowen86]

The collar in the locking wheel nuts had broke so I wanted to fit the standard bolts. I had 3, no idea how I'd lost one, but I had.

Put a shoutout on here in the wanted section and @Krarl came up with the goods. Sending me one in the post.

Yes, this update is about a wheel bolt.

 

[bowen86]

For an equally small update.

My side driver side pillar decal had shed it's number 2. Fortunately @Colin-S was splitting his spare badge and I needed the 2 and others needed the 1 and 7.

lb for £(?), the side decal numbers are more valuable than gold.

 

[Matt Cup]

Final piece to the puzzle.

 

[bowen86]

Final piece to the puzzle.

I'm not a Marvel fan at all, I doubt I could name three films in the series. But I couldn't help but feel like Thanos collecting the infitinity (?) stones placing that number 2 on there.

The 1 and 7 won't be long for this world as they're hanging on for dear life.

 

[Matt Cup]

This was mine before I managed to salvage a #2 from a cup being broken.

 

[MrBlonde]

Used to hate them badges when i had my cup,always use to catch it with a cloth when i was cleaning it.

 

[bowen86]

Little lunchtime job.

Fitted a new CTS as the temp needle sits just above half way, even before doing the thermostat and radiator, it's always sat just above.

I've noticed that hot starts it doesn't turn over as sweet as it does from a cold start and also MPG hasn't been the best. So hopefully this remedies it.

Old (obviously)

New one arrived from Autodoc.

It looks to be an OEM part with the mark scratched off. It's a FEBI item.

Not tested yet, will update.

 

[Colin-S]

https://cliosport.net/attachments/20250506_121351-jpg.1741825/

The size of that box

 

[ash_89]

@bowen86 excellent stuff such a lovely Cup.

Nissan do the exact same CTS as the Renault part. It retails just under £25 inc vat if you get any problems with the Febi

 

[bowen86]

Went for a drive in the Clio last night and.... No change. Needle sits just above 90. It doesn't ever fluctuate and the only real reason I changed it is I read here that a dodgy CTS can cause hot start issues.

It's not that my hot starts are THAT bad, it just feels marginally lazier than a cold start.

Photo just because

 

[MrBlonde]

Could be thermostat?

 

[bowen86]

Fitted a new one when I did the rad and coolant change.

It was the same (just over 90) before I replaced the thermostat too. It doesn't fluctuate or anything, I'm OK with it. I just wanted to see if it would fix the slightly lazy hot start.

 

[Matt Cup]

Could the lazy hot start be the starter motor? Or is it turning over just fine and not firing?

 

[bowen86]

Turns over fine, from both hot and cold. It's never not started.

It's just ever so much slower when warm.

I can see the previous owner fitted a new (blue plug) TDC sensor.

 

[Colin-S]

This is where mine sat when I bought my car. It sits slightly above the middle although could be the angle I took the picture.

How far above the middle does yours sit?

 

[hopgop1]

Isn’t there a thing with starter motor heat shields on these? Assume you’ve check you still have yours in place.

 

[Matt Cup]

I can see the previous owner fitted a new (blue plug) TDC sensor.

Do you know if this is genuine or a pattern part?

 

[Brigsy]

This is where mine sat when I bought my car. It sits slightly above the middle although could be the angle I took the picture.

How far above the middle does yours sit?

Thats normal/correct temp gauge position for these, every one ive driven lands in the same postion when fully up to temp. The cts rarely fails from experience, lower readings are due to weak thermostat.

Longer crank when hot could be due to fuel system or tdc issues at a guess.

 

[bowen86]

Ok, update.

The rear knock that plagued me for so long was down to a faulty reproduction caliper. I sourced a second hand one from here and it fixed my knocking problem, however it came with its own issue. Whilst painting it silver, I noticed the seals were shot.

So I sourced a reconditioned OEM caliper through 'the brake specialist' on ebay, and used this caliper as a surcharge against the freshly rebuilt caliper.

Great service from the company so far. I've not had my money back for the caliper I sent them yet, but I've no doubt it'll be fine.

Next I was looking it to the hot start issue. The thinking on here is either it's starter motor/voltage related or fuel related.

I opted to start with the fuel. Now, on page one of this thread I said I'd fitted 4 new injectors. What actually happened was I did buy 4 genuine injectors but as it was only one that was faulty at the time, I replace that one with a spare I had knocking around that I knew was good.

Flash forward to today and I swear your honor, I have indeed fitted the four genuine injectors. I'm glad I did as the one injector, the seal looked like this....

and the retaining clip fell apart in my hand

I also fitted a crankshaft sensor. The one on there was a blue plug one, but I found this Febi item for sale on ebay, brand new for £10. Got to be worth a shot?

Old one

New one

*squints to see what's been etched off*

I also fitted a post cat lambda, I had a spare knocking around from past Clios. Brand new bosch item. In an effort to cure the hot start it issue I fitted it. Don't ask me why, I just did.

The car drives amazing now. The idle seems smoother and the car just more eager. Can't explain it.

Hot start issue, seems far improved. But still not 100%. I've checked the starter and it does have its heat shield. I could be being fussy and not appreciating it's a 22 year old.

Anyway, that's it for now...

(old photo wearing its one red caliper)

 

[bowen86]

Alright, small update and in an effort to document what I've done.

Spark plugs.

These are the ones I removed and look pretty good and I felt a bit of a mug replacing them, but I did. When removing them, two were quite loose, almost finger tight.

Dropped in a fresh set

Cold start it seems to have a bit more gusto or feels stronger in starting. Placebo, possibly.

Story time - An Instagram acquaintance (James, don't know if he's on here?), who has a Clio 182 track car got in touch with me. His Clio was at his sister house in the garage and had been sat there for two years. His sister lives two doors away!
He couldn't start it. He asked me for help, no idea why...

I went around and his Clio would crank all day long. He suspected a spark issue, but my ears could sense it wasn't getting fuel.
I couldn't hear the fuel pump priming.
I disconnected the fuel feed and asked him to turn it over.
No fuel.
I swapped over the aircon relay (he'd stripped the aircon) to the fuel pump relay and "Vroooom!" it came to life.

Quite proud of myself.

 

[Brigsy]

Plugs always come loose on f4r if not torqued to spec. 28nm from memory, so need to be a bit tighter than usual.

 

[bowen86]

The inner door seal thing cracked a while a go and my OCD couldn't deal with it.

I had tried to glue it but it looked s**t.


Picked up a fresh one from a breaker.

One thing I've noticed recently is how boomy or droney the exhaust is. It's a stealth KTEC resonated exhaust, sounds fine when going for a rip around some b roads but on a motorway journey or sustained 60/70mph my god, it's awful.

Recommendations for something not as droney?

 

[Matt Cup]

There’s an BTB stealth for sale on here that might not be a boomy?

 

[MrBlonde]

Do you know what dia size of your exhaust is?.

I know mine is a 182 but i have just gone from a 2.5inch dia to 2.25inch pipe for this reason.2.25inch sounds much better more of a nice rasp and not boomey like the 2.5inch was.