Uneven Top Mounts - Solution?

[DickP]

Hi,

The upper part of my Clio 182's top mounts do not match each other in the distance that they protrude.

The car has had two sets of new OEM top mounts including rubbers, and this had made no difference. Whilst the front suspension struts were removed from the car I checked them against each other using calipers and can confirm they are identical in available thread and position of all components. They have both been assembled correctly.

When I first got the car I do not recall one top mount sticking out further than the other.

Is it known for these cars to suffer from distortion to the wheel arch turrets?

Am I going to have to resort to solid top mounts to correct the issue?

If so, which ones are the closest to road comfort that the OEM top mounts provide?

Your help would be very appreciated!

Thanks,

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi,

The upper part of my Clio 182's top mounts do not match each other in the distance that they protrude.

The car has had two sets of new OEM top mounts including rubbers, and this had made no difference. Whilst the front suspension struts were removed from the car I checked them against each other using calipers and can confirm they are identical in available thread and position of all components. They have both been assembled correctly.

When I first got the car I do not recall one top mount sticking out further than the other.

Is it known for these cars to suffer from distortion to the wheel arch turrets?

Am I going to have to resort to solid top mounts to correct the issue?

If so, which ones are the closest to road comfort that the OEM top mounts provide?

Your help would be very appreciated!

Thanks,

Are you using the modified top mount kit 543A09780R in combination with the modified 27mm combined nut/ spacer 8200867250?

This replaces the original top hat spacer & 17mm half nut.

 

[flebay]

Hi,

The upper part of my Clio 182's top mounts do not match each other in the distance that they protrude.

The car has had two sets of new OEM top mounts including rubbers, and this had made no difference. Whilst the front suspension struts were removed from the car I checked them against each other using calipers and can confirm they are identical in available thread and position of all components. They have both been assembled correctly.

When I first got the car I do not recall one top mount sticking out further than the other.

Is it known for these cars to suffer from distortion to the wheel arch turrets?

Am I going to have to resort to solid top mounts to correct the issue?

If so, which ones are the closest to road comfort that the OEM top mounts provide?

Your help would be very appreciated!

Thanks,

The One on the right is screw down more obviously.
How about switching the dampers left to right.

 

[DickP]

Hi,

I am using the original setup rather than the later revised spacer nuts as I ended up with a batch of incorrectly sized spacer nuts. The car did not creak or have any symptoms that people associated with the original design which is why I reverted to it some time ago.

Although the photographs make it appear there is more thread visible on one top mount than the other, I can confirm they are both the same as checked with calipers. This is just the photo angle.

I am not sure what would be achieved by swapping struts from left to right etc as the calipers indicated that both the upper parts are identical with thread length and heights once assembled. The difference appears to be to do with how the rubber mount sits inside the wheel arch turret.

On further inspection I did find that if I remove the top sections whilst the car is sat level I can see one of the top mount rubbers looks to sit flushed inside the wheel arch turret than the other. This further suggests it is a body to top mount interface problem rather than with the strut or top mount assembly.

I did check inside the wheel arch turrets for obstruction when changing the mounts for a second time in the attempt of fixing the issue, and there is no material or items in either that could alter the fit.

This leads me back to the question of whether the car has somehow sustained damage to the wheel arch turret and it is now mishapen?

Thanks,

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi,


This leads me back to the question of whether the car has somehow sustained damage to the wheel arch turret and it is now mishapen?

Thanks,

Extremely unlikely, and even if it had, the same amount thread would still be visible, and car would sit lower on one side.

Have you checked both top hat spacers & 17mm nuts are the same height, and you are using a pair of top covers with the integrated 21 mm nut above the

turret?

 

[flebay]

I am not sure what would be achieved by swapping struts from left to right etc

You would then know for sure if you have the same problem but in reverse that the shell is not damaged.
(Cheaper than re shelling the car)

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Think mine was like this IIRC. Don't worry about it. Something's aren't equal, if there is more weight on the left of the car then it'll need the spring mounting further down.

Are the gaps between the wheels and arches the same from right to left? That's what you want to be measuring.

 

[Clio_fool]

That's normal isn't it? I'm sure this has cropped up a few times before. @bloke

 

[DickP]

Hi,

Steve.M as mentioned earlier the threads visible from the top covers are the same as checked with calipers. Apologies in that the photo angle makes it appear one has more than the other protruding.

The assembly of both top mounts is identical and spacing between components is the same, as checked with calipers too.

fleby that may be a final resort to confirm whether that's the case. I would like to exhaust other possibilities before I try that option.

I have thought this evening that if the lower part such as hub is mispositioned can that alter the way that the top mount sit in the wheel arch turret?

Thanks,

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi,

Steve.M as mentioned earlier the threads visible from the top covers are the same as checked with calipers. Apologies in that the photo angle makes it appear one has more than the other protruding.

The assembly of both top mounts is identical and spacing between components is the same, as checked with calipers too.

fleby that may be a final resort to confirm whether that's the case. I would like to exhaust other possibilities before I try that option.

I have thought this evening that if the lower part such as hub is mispositioned can that alter the way that the top mount sit in the wheel arch turret?

Thanks,

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi,

Steve.M as mentioned earlier the threads visible from the top covers are the same as checked with calipers. Apologies in that the photo angle makes it appear one has more than the other protruding.

The assembly of both top mounts is identical and spacing between components is the same, as checked with calipers too.

fleby that may be a final resort to confirm whether that's the case. I would like to exhaust other possibilities before I try that option.

I have thought this evening that if the lower part such as hub is mispositioned can that alter the way that the top mount sit in the wheel arch turret?

Thanks,

In that case, I`ll go with Flebay and suggest the shocks are some mismatch, unless you know otherwise.

RPD are doing them for £33 a side OE, it would be foolish to miss the opportunity

USE code RPD20 FOR FREE DELIVERY.

https://www.renaultpartsdirect.co.uk/parts/special-offers/renault-clio-182-front-shock-absorber/

 

[DickP]

Hi Steve.M

The struts are new items which are on the car and were fine previously.

I did get a specialist to change the clutch shortly before I changed the top mounts - I can't say if this issue was present following the clutch change however. Likewise I also had the front wishbones replaced at a similar time.

Is it possible to misalign the sub frame on a Clio 182?

Is it possible to mislign the wishbones during fitting on a 182?

If either (or both) of the above are possible, then if the strut is not sited in the correct place will this allow the big rubber piece to sit higher inside the wheel arch turret?

(driver side rubber sits flush against the inside of the wheel arch turret whereas the passenger one does not)

Thanks!

 

[Krarl]

Loosen off the wishbone nuts, drop the car down and then tighten them back up when the suspension is loaded, most people tighten s**t up when the car ain't on the floor so the bush may be a bit twisted up. It's a long shot but worth checking for peace of mind

Did you have both lower arms replaced? One could be different to the other

 

[Markrich]

Hi I have just had delivered new geniune struts and the top mount kit with the new nut I have just come across this thread, so will I be having problems from the start it’s the only kit Reno do now surly if reports of not fitting properly are going back they should recall all the old stuff

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi I have just had delivered new geniune struts and the top mount kit with the new nut I have just come across this thread, so will I be having problems from the start it’s the only kit Reno do now surly if reports of not fitting properly are going back they should recall all the old stuff

Renault admit they have got it wrong?

No chance of that.

Before you assemble the shock with the spring, drop the bearing onto the damper rod & run the new nut down the threads to make sure it tightens onto the bearing.

It will be very obvious if you have the incorrectly manufactured nuts, as you will still be able to move the bearing up & down if the nut has become threadbound.

Moving onto the next subject, inner ARB bushes 7700847383 that Renault refuse to admit are incorrectly sized to fit a 25mm ARB.

 

[Markrich]

Any one had any problems with the new mount as it’s flat roof n the middle I am fitting them on my mate car tomorrow and have a set for mine also

 

[DickP]

Loosen off the wishbone nuts, drop the car down and then tighten them back up when the suspension is loaded, most people tighten s**t up when the car ain't on the floor so the bush may be a bit twisted up. It's a long shot but worth checking for peace of mind

Did you have both lower arms replaced? One could be different to the other

Hi

I might give that a go as both wishbones were replaces not long ago and have done say around 3 to 4 k miles.

It has to be a basic engineering fault somewhere that's allowing the mount to sit flush in the turret whereas the other one doesn't.

Thanks

 

[STEVE.M]

Any one had any problems with the new mount as it’s flat roof n the middle I am fitting them on my mate car tomorrow and have a set for mine also

Just make sure the new style 27 mm nut secures the bearing as above.

If not remove some threads from the until it does.

 

[Krarl]

Make sure one top mount hat isn’t the new type flat bottom and one is the old style one with a lip

 

[STEVE.M]

Make sure one top mount hat isn’t the new type flat bottom and one is the old style one with a lip

Think he has bought 2 new one`s

 

[Krarl]

Think he has bought 2 new one`s

Just depends if they’re actually the same type though. Some places will send you old stock and something brand new

 

[STEVE.M]

Just depends if they’re actually the same type though. Some places will send you old stock and something brand new

FFS if has the same part number on the box, it will it will be just that.

 

[Markrich]

Fitted new style top mounts and new spacer nut all fitted good so I guess the spacer nuts must be right from now on

 

[DickP]

Hi,

Since my last update I have removed the front suspension struts and discovered the offending side rubber doughnut was wedged inside the wheel arch turret.

This time I also checked the wishbone measurements and they are the same on both sides. The struts dimensions off the car are also the same.

I have now refitted the struts but swapped them round, and it appears that the issue has now also changed sides with the struts.

I won't be able to confirm until the suspension is fully settled, but I do not understand how one strut could generate this problem unless, somehow, one strut's damping mechanism is too strong and is forcing the doughnut into the turret?

Thoughts?

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi,


Thoughts?

Now you know what the problem is, just spend £66 on a new pair from RPD.

At the moment you probably have a mixture of Cup/ non Cup/ aftermarket items with the damper rods having different amounts of travel.

 

[stu8v]

Just done mine.

Handles like a go-kart again.

 

[DickP]

Now you know what the problem is, just spend £66 on a new pair from RPD.

At the moment you probably have a mixture of Cup/ non Cup/ aftermarket items with the damper rods having different amounts of travel.

Hi,

Although the ones which are on the car right now are new Cup dampers from RPD, and are circa 2k miles old.

When their website is back up I will order another set and look to return these to them.

Thanks,

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi,

Although the ones which are on the car right now are new Cup dampers from RPD, and are circa 2k miles old.

When their website is back up I will order another set and look to return these to them.

Thanks,

You wrote "The car has had two sets of new OEM top mounts including rubbers" but never confirmed that they were the only available OE kits, 543A09780R., as opposed to Febi type kits to the original configuration?

I`m trying to re think this as something does not add up.

 

[DickP]

Hi,

The first pair I used when I noticed the symptoms were Febi top mounts as per the kit that people refer to purchase. I then replaced these with OEM spec items from GSF which exhibited the same issue.

It has to be a problem with the strut assembly / strut but I cannot fathom what it may be, having replaced the top mounts twice already (as you rightly picked up).

 

[Krarl]

It’s forcing the doughnut into the turret?

Did you check if the spring is seated correctly? And that it’s not snapped

 

[STEVE.M]

Hi,

The first pair I used when I noticed the symptoms were Febi top mounts as per the kit that people refer to purchase. I then replaced these with OEM spec items from GSF which exhibited the same issue.

It has to be a problem with the strut assembly / strut but I cannot fathom what it may be, having replaced the top mounts twice already (as you rightly picked up).

If you want to keep me involved, you have to reply to my posts.

So in fact you have not utilised any replacement OEM parts at all, with regard to the top mount assemblies?

On reflection, it can only be the thickness of the under turret rubber donuts, that seat the bearing, that can make a difference, all things being equal, and what

goes on beneath the bearing ( such as spring length or full extension length has nothing to do with it ).

As you have 6 donuts to play with, have you ended up with a mismatch?

 

[DickP]

Hi Steve.M

Sorry, I had completely misread your post and thought if you were asking that I had used the Febi mounts that people often give the web link to.

The current and last set are not from RPD or a Renault dealership. Around one or two years ago I did install the kit that they supply but the revised nut spacer was incorrectly sized, as some had also experienced here so I reverted to the original configuration and design. On replacing the front struts I purchased the Febi kit that people link to and installed that with the rubbers. As I was experiencing this issue I then replaced the top mounts and rubbers with another set sourced from GSF.

I no longer have the rubber set from the RPD kit but do have the Febi rubbers in the garage.

Do you think it is possible both the Febi kit and GSF Kit have substandard or defective rubbers?

I think I should now swap the rubbers between the two struts and see what happens. Agreed?

Thanks!

 

[Krarl]

Febi should be completely fine. Never had any issues with any of my Febi top mounts on 3 different Clio’s, the bearings just fail a bit quicker

 

[STEVE.M]

I think I should now swap the rubbers between the two struts and see what happens. Agreed?

Thanks!

Swapping just the rubbers would certainly pinpoint the problem if the height difference swaps sides at the same time.

Take a thorough look at what you are actually fitting.

 

[Chris_Beer]

I have the same crop up on my dCi a couple weeks ago, strut looks higher in the arch and top mount has a gap. Guessed a snapped spring but who the f**k knows after all this chat.

 

[Chris_Beer]

@DickP

Any news on this?

 

[DickP]

Hi,

Changing the rubbers did not alter which strut was pushing the rubber up higher than the other. This points to the strut - I can only guess why it would do this.

Thanks,

 

[Chris_Beer]

Hi,

Changing the rubbers did not alter which strut was pushing the rubber up higher than the other. This points to the strut - I can only guess why it would do this.

Thanks,

Did you check the spring hasn't snapped?

 

[DickP]

Hi Chris,

Springs on both struts are intact. Off the car the struts measure the same height. When on the car, the strut which is giving the issue appears to not compress like the other.

Thanks,

 

[DickP]

Hi all,

I appreciate it's been a while but i thought it could be beneficial to other readers in that I found the cause.

Because the problem swapped sides with the strut even with new top mounts and rubbers, I eventually resorted to another new pair of front struts. I can say that the top mounts are now no longer vastly different, suggesting either one strut was excessively strong or one had failed prematurely (but neither fault could be felt by hand when compressing etc).

Thanks,