Sitting Pretty

[st3ve]

After two long days of graft I've finally got all four corners fitted, 2 yesterday, 2 today, my first time doing it myself and it will be the last, the amount of stress and blood shed is unbelieveable. I cannot understand how mechanic's can do this for a living and I now understand why they charge £25 a corner, it was a nightmare and I had to get a friend to help with the fronts.

My fingers are now covered in oil after several washes and my back is killing me but I am happy with the end result.

Before:

After:

The kit fitted is the Apex 40mm springs and dampers, they look mint under the car now aswell.

One minor problem though whenever I put the steering on full lock it lets off a noise from the fronts so I don't no what the cause is as I put all the parts from the standard shocks onto the new ones so I can't see why it does it. Here is the setup:

Top Mount in engine bay
Rubber
Top plate where the spring sits
Spring
Rubber
Base of damper

Only thing I can think of is there might be a ribber needed to sit under the top plate as that may be the cause of the noise but there wasn't any supplied with the kit nor did the standard one have it on, anyone help?

I'm thinkin I might take it to a local mechanic to look at as I can not be bothered taking it apart again.

Also the ride is very similar to the standard in terms of the feedback through the car over bumps except when you go over a fairly deep bump it really smacks against the chassis and you don't half feel it.

With all things considered though ie looks, cornering, stiffness etc it's a good kit imo and I'm pleased with it.

 

[jamesybear]

looks good! ive got apex springs but not the kit to fit to my clio soon (non sport) looks like it gives a good drop hoping mine will be similar ish with original shocks!

 

[Firas]

knocking sound is your top mounts. if you want to fix it will cost you £150 to get some solid top mounts. if you look under your bonnet you will see that your top mounts are slightly raised and move about as you turn the wheel. looks good though mate

 

[st3ve]

looks good! ive got apex springs but not the kit to fit to my clio soon (non sport) looks like it gives a good drop hoping mine will be similar ish with original shocks!

Yeah definitely sits pretty now, couldn't have asked for a better drop tbh it sits right and can still clear all the usual big speed bumps and kerbs so don't have to worry about the underneath of the car but it's enough so you can tell it's been lowered.

knocking sound is your top mounts. if you want to fix it will cost you £150 to get some solid top mounts. if you look under your bonnet you will see that your top mounts are slightly raised and move about as you turn the wheel. looks good though mate

£150 can't be right surely there must be a cheaper option?

As I said though I'll have a word with my mechanic and see what he says I just hope he doesnt get funny with me when I tell him I fitted them myself rather than paying him to do it like I usually do. :S

 

[Firas]

yup its alot of money forr top mounts. there is a cheaper fix which is is to buy washers. search it up on here. play in teh top mounts is actually a common problem on clio's.

 

[nick.]

glad u are happy with the result m8,it looks nice

 

[B5 BDJ]

sitting nicely mate.

im liking the CS sticker too.

 

[Dyewitness]

looking good mate....1.4 16v was where it started for me

 

[Jon.L]

two days!!! looks nice though matey

 

[jesus]

if you look under your bonnet you will see that your top mounts are slightly raised and move about as you turn the wheel. looks good though mate

This is how they are supposed to be.

 

[Sym0n]

Looks loads better. But SRSLY how did it take you two days? PMSL

I was going to comment about the top mounts fact but JME beat me to it.

 

[.GAZ.]

gettin there matey!

 

[Parky]

I thought that looked like Blackpool, im just down the road in Cleveleys... Looks well that mate, very nice...

Cup suspension going on the 172 tomorrow..

 

[Armani]

Car looks proper slick fella ....

 

[Mish]

I thought that looked like Blackpool, im just down the road in Cleveleys... Looks well that mate, very nice...

Cup suspension going on the 172 tomorrow..

We're in for a fun day lol

Much improvement now the car is lowered mate

 

[Parky]

 

[st3ve]

two days!!! looks nice though matey

As I said though it's my first time playing with the suspension so it was unknown territory plus I started late and finished early due to work yesterday so could say a day and a half really.

Thanks for the comments though guys makes it feel like a job well done.

Should come down a little more by the end of next week aswell.

 

[scott1205]

look smart that mate just the right height if u ask me