Fixing the God Awful Clio Seating Position

[Dave..]

Having driven 400 miles in a clio with coilovers set to firm this weekend, I am seriously going to have to address the seating postion before I develop a hunch back.

Being 6"5 I struggle with leg room, but then I find myself having to hunch over to reach the steering wheel. My neck gets really painful after 50 minutes of driving, which isn't great.

Basically I've worked out that if the steering wheel came out by another 3 inches, I could lean back comfortably, without having to sit up to reach the bloody thing.

Is there any way of keeping the standard wheel, but using a "spacer" as such to move the wheel out? If not, is the Sabelt renaultsport wheel any better for reach?

 

[Curtis!]

Possibly an OMP dished wheel may be better?

 

[Dave..]

Now I thought that might be suggested, but I really can't be doing with dished wheels, there's just something about them that I don't like.

If it'd help my back though, it might be something that needs looking into

 

[ForceIndia]

The standard wheel can't be moved afaik, due to the airbag connactions. You could use a flat wheel (sabelt etc) with spacers, but then you're moving the hard centre closer to your face. Dished is the best option tbh. But don't get suede, won't last.

 

[chris182cup]

Im 6ft 4 I get sore legs having to sit so close to the steering wheel and my knees almost off the wheel as most my height is in my legs.
Will just have to live with it I think just use cruise control as much as possible

 

[Dave..]

The standard wheel can't be moved afaik, due to the airbag connactions. You could use a flat wheel (sabelt etc) with spacers, but then you're moving the hard centre closer to your face. Dished is the best option tbh. But don't get suede, won't last.

Hmmmm you make a good point about moving a hard metal object closer.

Is there more to the airbag connections than just two wires?

 

[b1lly]

i've been driving mine more than usual as i've got 2 weeks off work and for the last couple of days i've got a bad upper back, shoulders and neck, i'm sure its got something to do with the seating/steering wheel position :dapprove:

 

[WILLIE]

Blimey I'm just about 6ft and I find it annoying at times. Feel for you two.

Could be worth look at aftermarket recliners if looking for a wheel fails. Most tend to have a lower position than the standard seats so would give some nice clearance for the head and knee's?

 

[MT AUDIO]

burp did a thing where he modified the steering rack to bring it forward a few inches.check his progress thread of old

 

[White16valver]

The fact the seat, pedals and wheel are all offset drives me mad too

 

[Dave..]

Blimey I'm just about 6ft and I find it annoying at times. Feel for you two.

Could be worth look at aftermarket recliners if looking for a wheel fails. Most tend to have a lower position than the standard seats so would give some nice clearance for the head and knee's?

I did think that originally, but it's definately the hunching to reach the wheel that gives me back pain.

i've been driving mine more than usual as i've got 2 weeks off work and for the last couple of days i've got a bad upper back, shoulders and neck, i'm sure its got something to do with the seating/steering wheel position :dapprove:

Exactly the same mate! My upper back and shoulders kill! Like some ones torn my neck muscles or something daft

burp did a thing where he modified the steering rack to bring it forward a few inches.check his progress thread of old

Christ! Sounds a bit extreme!

 

[Tony Hunter]

Why mention "coilovers set to firm",was it that and not the seat position?

 

[sideways danny]

IMO the wheel is too high on clios. Dropping the column down with spacers and long bolts about an inch or so will relax the driving position a little

 

[Tony Hunter]

Thats what we have done the race car Dan,works a treat.

 

[Dave..]

IMO the wheel is too high on clios. Dropping the column down with spacers and long bolts about an inch or so will relax the driving position a little

That sounds ideal! Can the people at JMS offer this service?

Edit: Might have read that wrong... I take it you mean, dropping the steering wheel down, lower than the adjuster currently lets you?

 

[Hutchie]

That sounds ideal! Can the people at JMS offer this service?

are you incapable??

 

[Peperami]

It is just too far away. If they offered reach adjustment many of the problems would be sorted! That and an inch or two lower.

Must be some weirdly shaped french people somewhere.

 

[Hutchie]

It is just too far away. If they offered reach adjustment many of the problems would be sorted! That and an inch or two lower.

Must be some weirdly shaped french people somewhere.

and i must be french, as i have never had a problem with the clio...

 

[Dave..]

and i must be french, as i have never had a problem with the clio...

...or a short arse

 

[Hutchie]

...or a short arse

:rasp:

 

[Peperami]

and i must be french, as i have never had a problem with the clio...

What other marques do you drive? I thought it was ok, a bit weird but ok, but having driven lots of other things it puts it into perspective!

 

[sideways danny]

That sounds ideal! Can the people at JMS offer this service?

Edit: Might have read that wrong... I take it you mean, dropping the steering wheel down, lower than the adjuster currently lets you?

sure I can sort out something for you mate. MSN?

 

[Hutchie]

What other marques do you drive? I thought it was ok, a bit weird but ok, but having driven lots of other things it puts it into perspective!

i work in a garage. drive plenty of cars, my favorite driving position is in the celica 190, but the clio aint bad

i know a lot worse, ford KA for example :rasp:

 

[DrR]

Everycar I've driven has a more comfortable driving position, works mondeo is like sitting on the floor.

 

[Mark One]

i've said it before. MK1s are superior.

 

[Peperami]

i work in a garage. drive plenty of cars, my favorite driving position is in the celica 190, but the clio aint bad

i know a lot worse, ford KA for example :rasp:

You must indeed have a weird body/ long arms/ short legs

 

[sideways danny]

i've said it before. MK1s are superior.

kidding? mine's just as bad the steering sits stupidly high. My shoulders ache all the time

 

[Whiteley]

Dave, wait, 6'5 ? I'm sure I was taller than you and I measured myself 6'3?!

Mark knows the score, my standard Valver is so much nicer than my 182 ever was, even without being able to move the wheel.

 

[DannoTheGreat]

my shoulders ache like f**k if i do a long drive

 

[LFCJosh]

havent read the thread so sorry if my comment dosent tie in but...

you can lower the seats, this made things alot better for me, as im tall too.
theres a thread in the guide section.

 

[Struggler]

two options!

1: take the vibration absorbers out and gain 15mm
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=394660

2: bucket seats + low subframe =

though option 2 might not help any back problems, i do have to lean over the wheel to park occasionally.

 

[Jamesstone]

We've had a play with lowering the steering height, the feel is much improved but the top of the steering wheel makes blind spots for the dials so ideally your going to need to lower the seat for every day fix, as said, spacers out first but you will find the runners snag on the carpet or a set of buckets with low sub-frames

 

[Mark One]

kidding? mine's just as bad the steering sits stupidly high. My shoulders ache all the time

Dave, wait, 6'5 ? I'm sure I was taller than you and I measured myself 6'3?!

Mark knows the score, my standard Valver is so much nicer than my 182 ever was, even without being able to move the wheel.

see dan. Your clearly just wierd :rasp:

 

[Dave..]

Dave, wait, 6'5 ? I'm sure I was taller than you and I measured myself 6'3?!

Mark knows the score, my standard Valver is so much nicer than my 182 ever was, even without being able to move the wheel.

Last time I measured myself I was between 6"4 and 6"5, I'm just rounding up :rasp:

two options!

1: take the vibration absorbers out and gain 15mm

Done that, didn't help

It's definatley the reach on the steering wheel that's the problem

 

[b1lly]

found a solution for my aches and pains today
































I nicked the wifes car for the day :rasp:

 

[Dave..]

Haha, it's the only way!

I've worked out today, that if I slide the seat closer, then I can sit back, and reach the steering wheel without hunching. However, now i turn right when I move my foot onto the brake :dapprove: