Never really updated this thread, but received the new subframe bolts and got them all bolted in.
Then went around the whole front end with a fine tooth comb and made sure everything important was torqued and everything else was tight. Came across one bellhousing bolt that wasn't fully tight the first time round but nothing else amiss. Always worth doing another check as it's so easy to miss something when tired and when just wanting to get the car all back together again. Not a bad job done though all in all
@YorkshireKyle
Didn't fit the subframe clips as just thought it was easier to use the new nylocs and get a spanner on them. Plenty of room and very easy with the cages off.
Before re-fitting the undertray I fitted a nonsport gearbox drip tray that was purchased before the gearbox debacle. This box doesn't have the selector seal leak as it's all been refreshed but just a nice little accessory to have and looks pretty tidy!
Got the car back on it's wheels and took it for a drive. Thankfully everything was night and tight, gearbox felt great and I was so glad to have some extra power after 3 weeks driving a Kia Rio 😂
Noticed my bonnet seal was worse for wear so got another on order and fitted that
.
My tyres were also looking pretty worn at the front, so decided to get a pair of ad08r's fitted that were purchased from a member on here. Also had a slow puncture on the rear that I finally got round to getting sorted and a 6inch nail was found embedded in it! Lucky it's not blown really after all this time. Frustratingly the tyre place managed to chip the edge of my alloy. I didn't realise until I got home and having paid cash I don't really have any comeback...
Got some paint mixed up at a local paintshop so will see if I can touch it up. Put some clear lacquer over it for now to protect it from getting worse but just very frustrating as I had kept these wheels mint and always made sure to stay away from kerbs.
Anyway, as all the subframe had been removed I thought it best to get alignment re-done. I had lots of issues with the camber bolts moving in my bilsteins as the top strut hole is slotted so they dont work properly. Decided to just put the old strut bolts in and see what camber we could achieve with slots alone. Decided to try Atec-Align in Huddersfield after recommendatons from
@cb10 and also hearing lots of good reviews. Benefit being they're literally just round the corner.
Chong at Atec got me straight onto the ramps and set about seeing what we were reading. Some mad toe in was seen! Suprised it was so out considering i hadn't moved the tie rods/ends at all and the only thing that had changed was the camber? It was previously set at 1.30° and 12 mins total toe out!
Can't recommend Atec enough for alignment, he's worked with many clios and been in the game over 15 years which inspires lots of confidence in getting a proper job. Clio was jacked up to adjust the camber and see if we could get some off as it's was a little too much for road use. It seems with slotted bilsteins and standard bolts 1.50° is the minimum you can get, however this is pretty much bob-on for what I needed. Clever thing with the hunter kit is that when in the air, you can tell it what you're doing and it adjusts to suit. Means you can play around with camber in the air, and it's the same reading when put back onto its wheels.
Strut bolts were buzzed up and i've much more confidence in them not moving now I'm not running smaller camber bolts. Toe was fine tuned in, with the steering wheel checked multiple times to be dead straight, something i've never really had before! Always a struggle with a smaller steering wheel but a proper peeve when doing motorway driving etc and the wheel isn't straight.
Overall very happy with the set-up and after a drive home it feels epic with no wandering. Car drives perfectly straight with the wheel central. Definitely be using him again!
Overall it's just nice to have a car that drives well again after all the work thats gone into it! Can't wait to get out and have a proper blast.
Today was spent giving the car a full clean/polish and it doesn't scrub up too bad.
Thanks for reading!