big overhaul weekend pics and problems ins

[doug2.0]

right this weekend i set out to do the following
new rear shocks
new front shocks and topmounts
new powerlex arb bushes
new wishbones and balljoints
new trackrod ends
and weld steering column.

i got all of them done in this scorching heat, apart from the TR ends as they were snarling at me to even attempt to wind them out, i pussied out and left them cos ive gotta get to work tomoz (one for the garage i think)

all went well considering the pinion bolt at the bottom of the steering column was a pig and i ended up with rotten orange rubber in my mouth a few times lol, i even tried welding it in the car to start with and the first bits of spaks melted straight through my floor protection and into the carpet damaging it it one place.
best way to get the bolt out is from inside the footwell with a 10mm ratchet spanner through the hole.



welded

next was the shocker tops i was using this set up to get them off spark plug socket with an allen key and adjustable spanner



one wouldnt come off at all, so out came mr angle grinder



got new on fitted and checked.

next was wishbones
after getting the buypartsby ones (by reccomendation off everyone ) i realized they weren't the same (no arb bolt hole and loop for bracket0 and after 4 coats of hammerite are impossible to send back
fitted the balljoints tho.



the arb itself was a pig to get back on id suggest to anyone fitting the powerflex ones is to have some thin long nuts and bolts handy, along with a couple of trolley jacks. i had to go along clamp a couple of the brackets with the long bolts then insert the small ones in the free brackets with help of the trolley jacks, if that makes sense lol



all is nice and tight and feels well but the car is loads lower than before on the soon to be changed -40mm springs, its now scraping badly on the inner lip of the bumper on full lock.
why would this be? surely it should be higher if anything?
everything is tight and fitted right and i think the camber is slightly out as a result too.

before


after


please help lol

[doug2.0]

oh and is this gap normal? it wont close up anymore

[number1]

Gap looks normal mate, they have sent you clio 16v wishbones by the looks of things, i ordered ones for a 19 16v to make sure i got the correct ones,
Most part suppliers dont realise that the 16v and williams have different suspension

[Matty86]

I find the easiest way by far to get the pinch bolt off is to stick the front on axle stands and use a couple of extension tubes with the 13mm socket on the end. you can poke this through the gap between the subframe and the bulkhead from underneath the drivers foot well. you can grip the extension tubes to stop the pinch bolt from spinning when you're undoing it. also when it comes to re-tightening it, you can get much more force on it!

[Allan]

ratchet spanner ;)


Done so many of those bloody columns now :S
every clio i get seems to need it doing lol