Mark Fish Solid Top Mounts

[teun]

Hi
to share my findings:
because I was not satisfied with the handling i.e. the vague steering and turn in - I've decided to overhaul and upgrade my suspension. Replacing all the rubbers and on the front suspension I've now replaced the standard top mounts with Mark Fish's solid top mounts.
Reason for choosing the Mark Fish ones, they have a far bigger design: the bearing is bigger and more solid and will last much longer, rather than have to replace every year or so. Key for me as my car is a daily driver doing around 15.000 miles a year.
According to Mark the way his top mounts are designed and engineered they are much more durable and although no guarantee is given he is quite confident the top mounts will last for a couple of years in my car, he never received complaints so far and selling for a good number of years.

My findings: a massive improvement, much sharper, much better on the road, and tested at Spa-Francorchamps.
And the biggest surprise, hardly no extra noise, and no additional vibration at all! Beyond my expectations! Hardly no discomfort I can spot and so a very good upgrade!
Some pics
[album]6100[/album][album]6099[/album]

Besides the solid top mounts also the lower suspension / wishone is replaced by RS Clio Cup ones, which have a bearing rather than a rubber bush - mentioned as an upgrade by Harry a while ago. On the picture below, the left side is the cup, right hand the standard wishbone. Note the enlarged steel tube for the bearing.
[album]6101[/album]

 

[davilamb]

nice, do you have any pricing on those parts?
any bad vibration on real rough roads?

 

[Brett]

Excellent work fella. Good simple upgrades that make all the difference.

 

[pturner3]

Interesting....

when you say Clio Cup wishbones, you referring to the Clio Cup, not the Clio 200 Cup right?

 

[teun]

nice, do you have any pricing on those parts?
any bad vibration on real rough roads?

Pricing....a bit steep, double a K-Tec or AST, the bearing only costs the same as an entire top mount from K-Tec. The expectation is this one will last (twice?) longer - i.e. diameter of the bearing much larger, needs four nuts to fit, and so forth.

The vibration and road/tyre noise - the lack off - was the biggest surprise for me (besides the much better turn in & response). I had read some previous post here and so had some concerns to be honest, but also had read posts on ClioSport.net with much more positive feedback regarding ride comfort (no impact). So decided to take the risk.
Anyway it turns out I can hardly notice a difference, so that is good news. Only on sharp holes and some speed bumps, you will hear a 'cloink' or a 'thump'. Having said this, most of my mileage are on tarmac. But the few miles on brick roads, again I noticed no difference either. Hope this helps.

when you say Clio Cup wishbones, you referring to the Clio Cup, not the Clio 200 Cup right?

Indeed the Clio Cup 2 (182)

 

[pturner3]

Oh so the road going 182 version, not the race prepped clio cup (based on current 200 clio model). Thats interesting, i never realised the cup version was on bearings?

 

[Missing Link]

Me either....... Interesting

 

[teun]

for sure the previous model, like our V6 - and not the current model.

But also this 182 had a race track version (in Europe there was a Clio Cup) and I believe that one had the strengthed wishbones plus bearings instead

 

[Williams]

So the non road going, Clio Cup race car. With the sadev sequential gear box.. that 182/172

 

[Ali]

I'm looking at replacing the bushes on mine. Have you got a list of the part numbers? Not particularly interested in the top mounts though...OEM will suffice for me.

 

[teun]

see section 31.02
http://www.renault-sport.de/fileadmin/Startseite/Uploads_Teileservice/Teilekatalog_Clio_II_Cup_2005.pdf
around 300 € / each
Don't blame me if doesn't fit
you can also look for a second hand first - i.e. (former) race team who did run Clio Cups

 

[Missing Link]

Cheers Teun, That's a cracking link........ :approve:

 

[Ali]

Interesting!