Lowering Mk1 Clio

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

On a Mk1 1.4RT Clio what size is the nut on the strut top. I believe it's 21mm but could someone confirm that? (it's a bugger trying to find a 21mm deep spanner!)

When undoing the strut top do you hold the nut and undo the alan key or vice versa?

How the f**k can I get the torsion bar covers off? I've tried everything. It was suggested that mole grips were the best way but even they aren't working (just got some today). Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Level 6 User Joined: 16 Dec 2005 Posts: 145

I had to undo the top strut last night. I think we ended up using a "13/16" spanner, (the guy had like 300 spanners but that was the only one that would fit Crying or Very sad

).

When undoing it, hold the allen key in one position, and undo the big nut.

Dont know about torsion bar covers Razz

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

its 22mm. A hollow spark plug socket allows the allen key to pass through the centre.

as for the torsion ba covers a screwdriver and hammer to knock them off.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Are the strut tops usually difficult to undo?
A few people have suggested in the past to get a garage to undo them first with an airgun as they can be a right bugger to get undone.

Is it deffinately 22mm then chris? If so then I can get a spanner to fit more easily but I have been told before by someoone that he had to use a 22mm spanner and then put but of cocke can in there to make up a bit of space as it was the wrong size.

As for the covers I'll just give that another go - I tried another time but the fuckers wouldn't budge.

Thanks.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

I use a 22mm one on it.

yes the gay clio is a shite deign, so they are normally buggers to undo.

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

Another use for an air gun lol!

Level 6 User Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 162

As i said....airgun Wink

Defo 22mm, i invested in a 22mm swan neck spanner

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

'kin hell - I've been looking for a 21mm spanner for ages.

I'll try and see if I can get it off myself and if I can't then I'll get a garage to loosen them off then redo them so that I can drive home - do you think that's the best idea?

Level 6 User Joined: 16 Dec 2005 Posts: 145

Took 2 big people about 5 minutes of trying to undo it, it was a right bitch to undo.

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 192

donsrno1 wrote:

'kin hell - I've been looking for a 21mm spanner for ages.

I'll try and see if I can get it off myself and if I can't then I'll get a garage to loosen them off then redo them so that I can drive home - do you think that's the best idea?

tis a good idea, just take an easy drive home Wink

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

No, as with loose struts the handling will be crap, just go and buy a spanner.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

danlp6 wrote:

No, as with loose struts the handling will be crap, just go and buy a spanner.

What I mean is to get them to loosen them off and then re-tighten them so that I can then go home and undo the nut myself. I wasn't planning on driving it with the nuts half off it's just that I would have thought it would be easier to get them off if the garage had undone and then re-done them if you know what I mean. I'm going to buy a spanner as I will need one to do the job all I was meaning was if the nuts were too tight to get off by hand I would then take it to a garage.

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

soak them in WD40 for a couple of days.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

go get them cracked off then tighten them but not fully as you won;t get them undone again.

Newbie Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 6

the ones on my clio were 21mm, i couldnt get them undone for shit, took it to the local a.t.s and got them to crack them off me, tightened them up and drove it home.

Level 6 User Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 162

After saying it was 22mm i'm not sure one oend of my spanner si 21mm and other is 22mm, i just use which ever end fits lol.

One mine we bent a allen key, and so then got allen sockets, we then cracked the top of the strut where the allen key goes, then resorted to an impact gun, just as well the struts were buggered lol

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Chris H";p="73174 wrote:

its 22mm. A hollow spark plug socket allows the allen key to pass through the centre.

as for the torsion ba covers a screwdriver and hammer to knock them off.

How can you turn the socket though as you need to use the hole at the top to put the alan key through? Do you just uset a spanner on the socket?

Level 2 User Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 55

Im pretty sure its a 21mm spanner. I had to go and buy one when i did the suspension on my clio!

Like lunner i also bent an allen key taking the mounts off!

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

I know it's definately 21mm now but just wondered how you could use a socket as I have a 21mm deep socket in the garage at the moment.

Retroholic Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 3315

you cant use a socket a 21m spanner is what you need

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

You can use a socket. But it has to be a spark plug one like chris said, or a gear ratchet kit like mine.