182 - Front shock assembly

[Fonzey]

Sorry in advance because I know this gets discussed a lot. I have done some searches but struggling on the specifics.

I'm wanting to change the front shocks on my 182, I've got all sorts of groaning and creaking up front and I'm slowly going through and sorting it all. Done BJs/TREs already, so onto the shocks now, I'll also use the opportunity to put some cup springs back on that I've had lying around rather than the rusty Eibachs that are on currently.

As I've got some springs sat here, I'm hoping to construct the strut towers off the car before getting it jacked up - just to make sure I have everything and if I need to get busy with a grinder/heat to get the old stuff off - I don't have to worry too much about damaging stuff.

So far I've got:

2x Struts
2x Febi top mount kits

If I want to construct the entire lot, I think that leaves me needing:

2x Spacer Nuts (was going to buy these: https://www.renaultpartsdirect.co.u...o-twingo-shock-absorber-top-mount-spacer-nut/)
2x Spring top platforms (was going to buy these: https://www.renaultpartsdirect.co.u...sion/renault-clio-twingo-top-spring-platform/)

and then finally, I believe from memory that there's a really slim-line 17mm bolt on top of the rubber donut thing, but I *think* that's been superceded by the integrated spacer nuts. Can anyone confirm this to make sure my shopping list is complete?

The assembly should then be:

Shock -> Gaitor -> Spring -> Top Platform -> Bearing -> Donut -> Spacer Nut -> Strut Tower -> Top Hat

Would appreciate any confirmation that can be provided. Obviously I'd figure all this out when the car comes apart, but I'm just trying to minimise downtime in the rain

 

[Amos91]

Don't think you need spacer nuts with the febi mount, someone else can confirm.

You're not really saving any time by building up before installing, you don't even need a spring compressor with these cars so switching the bits from old to new is a 10 min job.

 

[Darryl_1983]

I fitted the febi top mount the other week, as said above you don't need the spacer nut. The febi mounts are based on the old top mount design, so you can reuse the original nut.
The new Renault mount require the new spacer nut, due to a slightly different design.

You don't need spring compressor for lowering springs. But I'm not sure if you'd need them for standard/cup springs. I definitely used them when I fitted cooksports a couple years ago.

 

[Fonzey]

Cheers chaps, I've got spring compressors lying around anyway so will use them if needed.

I reckon with that advise in mind I'll just go ahead and strip the shocks off tomorrow with what I've got already. Do you know if the 17mm slimline bolt from the "old" setup is available as a replacement part? I seem to recall one of mine being a bit ropey and may see the rough end of a grinder this weekend.

 

[imprezaworks]

@bloke

 

[Fonzey]

As expected I needed to grind those slim nuts off, managed to salvage the spacers though so will grab some nuts tomorrow.

Annoyingly the shocks I've got also appear to be wrong, bolthole spacing/position is correct but the holes are too small for the lower strut bolts! Not sure whether to drill them out a bit (only needs a couple of mm) or cut my losses on them...

 

[Fonzey]

Slept on it and put an order in for some new shocks from RPD. Lessons learned, buy cheap buy twice etc. I can only think that the Boge shocks I bought are for a non-RS model Clio as I found a post somewhere explaining that the non-RS models used thinner lower strut bolts.

As for the M14/17mm nut - this has proven quite difficult to get hold of as a replacement! Found a Renault Part Number which came back as: 7703032174

Worryingly, the description comes back as NUT M14X1 which I know is wrong... as it's a M14x1.5 pitch thread. I'm hoping the parts catalogue is a misprint and I've ordered a couple anyway.

 

[bloke]

Thought is was a 1?

 

[Fonzey]

When I took the remnants of my old nut to my fixings shop this morning he measured it for me at 1.5. My caliper agrees with that too.

I'm a little bit concerned that you also believe it to be 1.0 though, I wonder whats going on :/

 

[bloke]

i could be wrong, brain has turned to mush this week!!

 

[Fonzey]

Mystery solved, they arrived today and are indeed M14x1.5

Thanks all!

 

[Jackie]

Hi Fonzey, I've got issues with my front suspension also.
I replaced top mounts with new febi ones thinking it would solve issue of a large gap between my top mount caps and car suspension mount area, but made no difference.

I now believe it has non cup shocks with possiby wrong springs.

Are these the nuts you purchased? https://www.allcarpartsfast.co.uk/renault/renault-7703032174-nut-m14x1/
Part number 7703032174.

I've got new Clio cup front shocks (54mm hub for my 182ff) and new cooksport springs ready to go on.
Just like you I don't want unnecessary down time. Cheers.

 

[Clio_fool]

The gap between the top mount and the strut tower is normal, well as long as its not a couple of inches that is. Think of it as the car sits on the damper assembly and the top mount above the strut tower just stops excessive movement and the whole lot dropping out when the car is lifted. If you search hard enough there will be plenty of threads about the top mount gap on here.

 

[Jackie]

The gap between the top mount and the strut tower is normal, well as long as its not a couple of inches that is. Think of it as the car sits on the damper assembly and the top mount above the strut tower just stops excessive movement and the whole lot dropping out when the car is lifted. If you search hard enough there will be plenty of threads about the top mount gap on here.

Thanks for Help Clio fool. It's about 10mm gap at least.

If front wheels spin slightly in damp conditions there's a horrible "axle tramp" bouncing. Over bumpy roads can also feel suspension rattle almost.

I think the lad put some camber bolts on front hubs so geometry is probably fooked also.
Suspension needs refresh regardless. Would like to do best job I can.

 

[Clio_fool]

Yeah the wheel spin bouncing is normal too, mine sounded like it was going to fall apart when it happened even with all new front suspension. A suspension refresh and decent geo setup will make a huge difference and with good tyres on the 182 is capable of a good launch.