Spare Wheel on mk3 Clio

Horizon81

Have any of you guys ever had the misfortune of having to change a wheel on a Clio mk3/mk3 facelift? Sad to say that I have, in this morning’s pitch black pouring rain. Not my car I have to add but I thought it would be the usual 15 minute job, as the spare wheel was mounted under the car, so I was expecting a release nut or similar. No chance!


Upon lifting the boot carpet you’re faced with a strange looking plastic contraption with a detachable handle, but with a line of cord attached. Seen nothing like it in my life, it’s like something off the Krypton Factor. Unscrewing the big screw was easy enough but the challenge comes with the pig piece of plastic with ‘Push’ written on it. Push down on it as hard as you like and nothing happens!I took a look underneath the car for inspiration but still no joy. By trial and error it transpires you have to push the ‘push’ handle thingy on a certain angle (not intuitive at all) then boosh, the spare wheel drops out, attached to the line of cord. Mind your toes! You then unhook the wheel and away you go with changing it. Haven’t put it all back together yet but by all accounts it’s not exactly any easier and practically impossible to do on your own.

Moral of the story…. If you or someone you care about own one of these cars and haven’t familiarised yourself with the mechanism then I recommend you do, on a bright, dry day! On the plus side, it was nice to see a full size spare rather than a can of tyre weld.

OddballJamie

It's most likely an anti-theft measure. Alot of 107 and Saxo drivers used to find an empty wheel cage under their cars when they had a flat.

I had a Xsara with a similar contraption, however the big metal bolt that opened the cage rusted shut when I needed it. Had to be cut off in the end.

Horizon81

Indeed the cord will be an anti theft feature and I understand all that as I used to have a fiesta with a nut, bolt and hook style combination but that all made perfect sense (although it did get rusty and need some persuasion at times).

This Renault idea is nothing more than an abomination. Until you've had your hands on one it's difficult to explain just how bizarre it really is.

OddballJamie

It does look odd.
http://www.renaulteurodrive.com.au/resources/handbooks/Clio3_2013.pdf
Section 5.

Building_Surveyor

Yep had the same problem with my Clio, had no idea it was under there til I needed it. The spare wheel is still lying in the boot due to the hassle I had getting it from under the car. Dreading putting it back in its correct place.

bigjl

A very weird set up but once you have dropped the wheel out once it becomes easier.

As far as putting it back up i luckily was at home and was swapping the tyre on the drive. But i ended up using a trolley jack to lift the wheel and holder at the same time as trying to get the screw bit to catch the first thread.

I think perhaps it might also be a safety feature of sorts as if the wheel becomes dislodged it is stopped from flying down the road by the cable?

I have seen a spare wheel become dislodged from underneath a car during an accident