Clio 172 Project

Tools needed:
T30 Torx bit
T50 Torx bit
13mm socket
10mm socket
Ratchet

1: Disconnect the battery by firstly disconnecting the negative terminal using the 10mm socket, then disconnect the positive terminal using the 13mm socket.  Leave the car for 30 minutes to allow any charge to dissipate (I also put the key in the ignition and turn it to position three/M “Ignition on”).

30 minutes later

2: If you’ve not already done so put the key in the ignition and turn to it postion three/M “Ignition on” to disengage the steering lock.  Now turn the wheel so that “3 o’clock” is facing straight up.

3: Place light pressure on the face of the airbag and use the T30 Torx bit to undo the two grub screws on the rear of the steering wheel at “quarter to nine”, don’t worry they don’t come out so just unscrew them until you can’t go any further.

4: Gently pull the airbag out of the steering wheel.

5: Disconnect the grey plug for the horn and remove the orange plug from the back of the airbag itself (it literally just pops off).

6: Using the T50 Torx bit loosen the central bolt until it’s most of the way out.  Now using the palm of your hand hit the top, bottom and both sides of the steering wheel to loosen it and then fully remove the bolt.  Pull the wheel towards the rear of the car to remove it from the splined column, be careful here though as you don’t want to pull with too much force as you could rip the cables out or smack yourself in the face with the wheel if you’re sat in the drivers seat at the time.

7: Thread the horn and airbag cables and plugs through the gap they are already fed through, you will find it easier to start with the horn cable and plug.

Done.

To refit just do the above in reverse.

I accept no responsibility for any damage or harm caused by following this guide.

Well I’ve finally got the cash saved up and so I’m scoring the land, ok mostly Auto Trader and PistonHeads, looking for a 172 that I want to spend my hard earned cash on.

Found three that were local so decided to go have a look and test drive yesterday.

The closest I wasn’t all that arsed about to be honest, the previous owner had put some shit Rage backbox on it also making a cut out in the rear bumper and some Lexarse lights.   I could live with this if the car was in good condition and the price was right, as I’d just go straight out and get the parts replaced, but it was meant to be as the trader told me, through laughter, that some mug was driving up from London to buy it and they had already agreed on a price.

The next was in Leicester, Scraptoft to be exact.  The car was completely standard and only had 78.5k on the clocks.  Advertised for £2650 in the trader.  When someone from the garage finally answered the phone, from his bed, we set off to go have a look.  When we got there the sales office was wide open, as was the lock box with every key for every car on the forwcourt, but no sales staff to be seen.  There was however a previous couple, I assume, that explained that they had bought a Corsa from the garage a month ago and the companies cheque to the DVLA for £66 to pay for six months tax on their car, as agreed, had bounced lol.  They had also had a few problems with their car.  So things weren’t off to a great start for this garage with me was an understatement.  Never the less I decided to give them to benefit of the doubt as the 172 looked clean enough, although priced at £2995 in the window.

When a “sales” person finally turned up, after I’d rang the mobile number again to tell him to get someone out (morons) informed me that she didn’t actually work there but had helped out in the past.  She was friendly enough and got me the keys.  I had a good look all over the car and apart from a parking dink, blowing exhaust, one missing centre cap and mixed match tyres it seemed like a nice solid car.  The sales “man” (about 24 at a push) had finally dragged himself out of bed and graced us with his presence.  To find that he knew NOTHING about the car, so I sent him to get the service history.  He returned back with it and promptly pissed off, which suits me fine as I hate pushy sales men anyway.  After going through the service book and all the receipts twice he re-appeared and I asked about the cam and aux belts as there was no receipt for either or anything in the book.  He said he thought they had been done around 60k but would do them for me, I asked if they had the specific £200+ tool to do the job properly and his reply was “Yeah mate we’ve got all the tools to do the job” filling me with lots of hope…honest.

I took it out for a spin and my god did it shift.  Felt really planted and just “right”.  Noticed the odd few bits such as it pulling hard to the left under braking, the exhaust was blowing and a concerning noise which I’d assume was a follower for either the cam or aux belt.  Took it back and told him things that I thought the car required and asked him if he was prepared to negotiate on the price.  His reply “Well you want me to do the cambelt, get it MOT’d, tax it and service it.  So the price is what it is.” (bearing in mind I’d not asked nor would I of wanted him to do any of those things as I wouldn’t trust him to change a wheel TBQFH).  So I laughed in his chav face and told him I’d have to leave it then he then proceeded to sulk and ragged the car into it’s space on the forecourt lol.

It’s no wonder their cheques for small amounts are bouncing with an attitude like that, I mean FFS it’s a buyers market.  But he obviously wasn’t aware of the recession or car sales 101.  So he lost my £2k+ sale.  Ah well.

The third was in Sheffield, but by the time I’d got back and had my lunch it was getting dark.  So I decided to leave it.

Today however is another day.  There is one with a private seller up in Colne, Lancashire.  I emailed him earlier in the week and it seems ok but does have a powerflow cat back exhaust and bumper cut out.  More annoyingly its now due it’s second aux belt change and the cam belt will become due next year so there would be no point waiting, as the aux belt has to come off to do the cam anyway so would just mean more expense.  If he still has it, I’ll ring about 10ish seeing as it’s Sunday lol, then I’ll take a trip up and check it out today.

And if it’s not what I’m after I may try that one in Sheffield on the way back.