Could this be the cause??

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Some of you may have seen in another post that the bumper, bonnet, lights etc on one side of my clio 16v are about 1 or 2 cm further back than they should be - meaning the bonnet doesn't fit properly etc.

Anyway, I was having a look under the bonnet earlier and noticed something. On the passenger side (where it had a crash before) the crossmember doesn't have a wee gape between it and the bit it's connected to. On my other clio there is a gap of about 1cm and on my 16v there is a gap at the drivers side. Here is a pic of the crossmember on the 16v:

[img:338:450:be70d2015f]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/donsrno1/PDR_0012.jpg[/img:be70d2015f]

And here is a pic of the same place on another clio:

[img:450:335:be70d2015f]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/donsrno1/046a374a.jpg[/img:be70d2015f]

In the second one there is a gap, but on mine it's been welded straight onto the other part. Could this explain everything seeming to be about 1 or 2 cm too far back on one side and not fitting properly?

I'm not sure but thought the bonnet, bumper etc were mounted on the crossmember in some way and if so that would make sense as to the problems I've got.

Thanks.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

it might be or it might be as it should be just fille din with weld.

the pics no use to anyone that can;t see it for a diagnosis.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Yeah, it's not as clear in that photo but I just had another look and i's definately further back than the drivers side one is mounted relative to where the crossmember is connected.

Am I right in thinking the bonnet, bumper and bit that the lights are held by etc are all mounted on the crossmember?

I'll try and get another pic in a minute which will show it more clearly as a close up.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

yes they are in a roundabotu way.

tug it out if its a problem.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Would I not have to cut through the weld and have it re-welded though?

Here's another couple of pics I took a minute ago. They show it a bit better but still isn't that clear:

[img:600:450:9ecd24b8b9]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/donsrno1/PDR_0078.jpg[/img:9ecd24b8b9]

[img:600:450:9ecd24b8b9]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/donsrno1/PDR_0077.jpg[/img:9ecd24b8b9]

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

that just looks bent. it'll tug out.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

I'll have a closer look tomorrow - I had thought at first that when being repaired they had maybe just welded it in place like that and hadn't thought it might just be the original join being bent and left like that.

Thanks.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

I took the bumper off today to have a closer look. Heres the link to some pics I took with the bumper off:

Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Pic 4

Is it literally a case of just tugging it out till the bit I was pointing out was pushed back sits as it should?

Thanks.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

oh what a surprise, I told you it was bent then saw the car and told you it was bent and told you it will tug out so it will tug out.

Use a chain if you can. rope gives to much. Also do it on the buggered gearbox.

And use a decent sized lampost to do it.

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:15 am

Big tree is best I found, make sure you pull it out at the correct angle too!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

trees tend to move or you cut into them.

A good old fashioned lamp post is the way to go.

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 10:31 am

I have found the wood with the most girth seems to hold upright!

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

thanks, wasn't really too sure on how best to tug it out.

Is it just a case of giving it slight sharp tugs till it's where you want it?

Not meaning to be a pain with the questions - just don't want to bugger it up more than it is already.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

yep just small tugs.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

cheers chris.

I've just got to find a lampost to use now, lol.