Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: freecall666 on 02 June 2012, 23:07:09
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How long should original gm droplincs last, changed mine about 3 years ago and now the drivers side one sounds like its going again?
i know the roads are bad were i drive round but should last longer that 3 years?
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dependent on driving style & road conditions i would of thought ;)
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dependent on driving style & road conditions i would of thought ;)
only doing town driving 30-40mph but the roads have pot holes etc think the bushes are on way out aswell but dont know until get the wheels off wish they would fix the roads and not just put temp fix's on them, father inlaws car is going the same, got a long trip at the week end so need it fixed, the rattle and thuding is driving me mad.
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Would have thought longer. Luckily very cheap so if they do only last that long its not a big problem. Providing it is the drop links your hearing ;)
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Would have thought longer. Luckily very cheap so if they do only last that long its not a big problem. Providing it is the drop links your hearing ;)
same sounds as last time, but there is a rubber bush but cannot remember where it is that looks about worn out but passed on mot last month with no movement will have to have a look tomorrow if its not raining all the nice weather and has to play up when it starts raining what timing >:(
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What make wishbones and drop links are fitted currently?
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What make wishbones and drop links are fitted currently?
wishbones are one on mig when got it, drop links are from vauxhall parts, got them in a box with GM on box think they were £27.50 each, have had a look and its the drop links gone loads of movment in drivers side and a bit in pass side one. so have to order some new ones.
wishbones are fine just abit of craking on one bush but normal movment.
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not sure on the mig but the saab drop links are the same as used on the vectra, the saab drop links seem to be a lot better quaility than the gm ones :y
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I've always fitted pattern drop links - cheaper than GM and, on your evidence, longer lasting than GM ;)
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i remember why had to change last time hit a big pot hole in the rain and bent pass side drop link, had to get new drop links and anti-roll bar as bent it to, would of thought they would of lasted longer than 3years, found some on bay for saab/vectra/omega for pair at £14.99 so may get them as need mig fixed. so may give them a try. on next day post so see after tuesday.
as in town want £80- £95....
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i remember why had to change last time hit a big pot hole in the rain and bent pass side drop link, had to get new drop links and anti-roll bar as bent it to, would of thought they would of lasted longer than 3years, found some on bay for saab/vectra/omega for pair at £14.99 so may get them as need mig fixed. so may give them a try. on next day post so see after tuesday.
as in town want £80- £95....
Paid about £14 ea for mine - worth a try though
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i remember why had to change last time hit a big pot hole in the rain and bent pass side drop link, had to get new drop links and anti-roll bar as bent it to, would of thought they would of lasted longer than 3years, found some on bay for saab/vectra/omega for pair at £14.99 so may get them as need mig fixed. so may give them a try. on next day post so see after tuesday.
as in town want £80- £95....
Paid about £14 ea for mine - worth a try though
will see if they fit or not they do look the same got the old ones kicking around here some were, never seam to get round to chucking stuff out, think kept them for the rubbers as there are sitll good. at least the roll bar is not bent this time.
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I've always fitted pattern drop links - cheaper than GM and, on your evidence, longer lasting than GM ;)
Same here , no problems 8)
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Hi all. I think my drop-links are on their way out although it was mot't in april, i had one go about 2yrs ago on the o/side and it's making the same noise, can anyone recomend a supplier, i don't deal with e/bay. thanks in advance. mel.
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Easy job,going to do mine on the 3.2 on wednesday :y
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new set come today but with the down poor all day no chance of fitting, they are thicker than original one's but same size as old ones in lenth see how these ones last ;)
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tie rod gone aswell so not happy, and cannot get a spanner on the drop links to undo them was 17mm but no type will fit.... got ne tie rod coming on wednesday.
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Never had a problem getting them off - either 18mm or 19mm socket + breaker bar on nuts (dependant on nut size) with 17mm o/end spanner on end of taper.
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Never had a problem getting them off - either 18mm or 19mm socket + breaker bar on nuts (dependant on nut size) with 17mm o/end spanner on end of taper.
getting some new spanners and do the lot in one go, getting a complet tie rod for drivers side, new drop links are 19mm, if they dont come off with new spanners going to have to use gripper wrench to get them off and a bit of heat.
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Never had a problem getting them off - either 18mm or 19mm socket + breaker bar on nuts (dependant on nut size) with 17mm o/end spanner on end of taper.
getting some new spanners and do the lot in one go, getting a complet tie rod for drivers side, new drop links are 19mm, if they dont come off with new spanners going to have to use gripper wrench to get them off and a bit of heat.
When you say tie rod do you mean ball joint :-\
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Why not get the hacksaw out? The old ones are duff anyway.... :y
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Why not get the hacksaw out? The old ones are duff anyway.... :y
Angle grinder ;)
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
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Never had a problem getting them off - either 18mm or 19mm socket + breaker bar on nuts (dependant on nut size) with 17mm o/end spanner on end of taper.
getting some new spanners and do the lot in one go, getting a complet tie rod for drivers side, new drop links are 19mm, if they dont come off with new spanners going to have to use gripper wrench to get them off and a bit of heat.
When you say tie rod do you mean ball joint :-\
the hole arm. with ball joints. :y
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
got 18mm socket but no room to get it in at top bottom one will,17 will not fit on the center, even with the boot pushed over a bit. no room even to cut it off, orderd new 18mm spanner dont know were ive lost it, new drop link nuts are 19mm with 17mm center,spanner will be here on monday but not driving mig till its all fixed. be driving other car for abit. sure changed them with spanners last time. had shed to bits but not found it must of left it some were.
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
got 18mm socket but no room to get it in at top bottom one will,17 will not fit on the center, even with the boot pushed over a bit. no room even to cut it off, orderd new 18mm spanner dont know were ive lost it, new drop link nuts are 19mm with 17mm center,spanner will be here on monday but not driving mig till its all fixed. be driving other car for abit. sure changed them with spanners last time. had shed to bits but not found it must of left it some were.
I used the angle grinder on the first one but was difficult to get in to it , then realised you could use 2 spanners on the second one ::)
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
got 18mm socket but no room to get it in at top bottom one will,17 will not fit on the center, even with the boot pushed over a bit. no room even to cut it off, orderd new 18mm spanner dont know were ive lost it, new drop link nuts are 19mm with 17mm center,spanner will be here on monday but not driving mig till its all fixed. be driving other car for abit. sure changed them with spanners last time. had shed to bits but not found it must of left it some were.
Never had a problem getting 18mm socket on the drop link nuts, even with a breaker bar - sometimes have to turn them to rotate centre so 17mm open ender will fit. ;)
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
got 18mm socket but no room to get it in at top bottom one will,17 will not fit on the center, even with the boot pushed over a bit. no room even to cut it off, orderd new 18mm spanner dont know were ive lost it, new drop link nuts are 19mm with 17mm center,spanner will be here on monday but not driving mig till its all fixed. be driving other car for abit. sure changed them with spanners last time. had shed to bits but not found it must of left it some were.
Never had a problem getting 18mm socket on the drop link nuts, even with a breaker bar - sometimes have to turn them to rotate centre so 17mm open ender will fit. ;)
getting some new 17mm, and a new 18mm going to have a big sort out and find all my tools, mrs thinks she moved them but she cannot remember were...
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
got 18mm socket but no room to get it in at top bottom one will,17 will not fit on the center, even with the boot pushed over a bit. no room even to cut it off, orderd new 18mm spanner dont know were ive lost it, new drop link nuts are 19mm with 17mm center,spanner will be here on monday but not driving mig till its all fixed. be driving other car for abit. sure changed them with spanners last time. had shed to bits but not found it must of left it some were.
Never had a problem getting 18mm socket on the drop link nuts, even with a breaker bar - sometimes have to turn them to rotate centre so 17mm open ender will fit. ;)
getting some new 17mm, and a new 18mm going to have a big sort out and find all my tools, mrs thinks she moved them but she cannot remember were...
Fortunately swmbo dont go in the shed cos of the cobwebbs and spider's , even the dustpan has webbs all over it ;D ;D
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
got 18mm socket but no room to get it in at top bottom one will,17 will not fit on the center, even with the boot pushed over a bit. no room even to cut it off, orderd new 18mm spanner dont know were ive lost it, new drop link nuts are 19mm with 17mm center,spanner will be here on monday but not driving mig till its all fixed. be driving other car for abit. sure changed them with spanners last time. had shed to bits but not found it must of left it some were.
Never had a problem getting 18mm socket on the drop link nuts, even with a breaker bar - sometimes have to turn them to rotate centre so 17mm open ender will fit. ;)
getting some new 17mm, and a new 18mm going to have a big sort out and find all my tools, mrs thinks she moved them but she cannot remember were...
Fortunately swmbo dont go in the shed cos of the cobwebbs and spider's , even the dustpan has webbs all over it ;D ;D
mine not got an spider's in it yet not been up long, but wish she would keep out of the shed :y
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
got 18mm socket but no room to get it in at top bottom one will,17 will not fit on the center, even with the boot pushed over a bit. no room even to cut it off, orderd new 18mm spanner dont know were ive lost it, new drop link nuts are 19mm with 17mm center,spanner will be here on monday but not driving mig till its all fixed. be driving other car for abit. sure changed them with spanners last time. had shed to bits but not found it must of left it some were.
Never had a problem getting 18mm socket on the drop link nuts, even with a breaker bar - sometimes have to turn them to rotate centre so 17mm open ender will fit. ;)
getting some new 17mm, and a new 18mm going to have a big sort out and find all my tools, mrs thinks she moved them but she cannot remember were...
Fortunately swmbo dont go in the shed cos of the cobwebbs and spider's , even the dustpan has webbs all over it ;D ;D
mine not got an spider's in it yet not been up long, but wish she would keep out of the shed :y
I have a lock on the inside of the shed so any hint shes coming out it gets bolted and light turned off ;D unless she shouts tea up :-X Been working hard today and no tea , how you getting on with the drop links ?
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As said...If the threads are seized, as they sometimes are, a small angle grinder with cutting disc makes an easier job of removal. They can be a real pig to remove. 18mm ring, and 17 open ended spanner normally, iirc.
cannot find a 18mm spanner, and 17mm will not fit at all, got to find all my tools just put new shed up and nothing in place yet. keeping car off road for a few days till other parts come going to change the wish bones aswell as looking abit old. rubbers are well split.
18 ratchet/socket...?
17 only fits in a certain orientation for the open end of the spanner to fit. Turn with the 18.
Undo and remove the bottom nut, to roll bar, first. Otherwise it moves around and makes the job even more awkward.
got 18mm socket but no room to get it in at top bottom one will,17 will not fit on the center, even with the boot pushed over a bit. no room even to cut it off, orderd new 18mm spanner dont know were ive lost it, new drop link nuts are 19mm with 17mm center,spanner will be here on monday but not driving mig till its all fixed. be driving other car for abit. sure changed them with spanners last time. had shed to bits but not found it must of left it some were.
Never had a problem getting 18mm socket on the drop link nuts, even with a breaker bar - sometimes have to turn them to rotate centre so 17mm open ender will fit. ;)
getting some new 17mm, and a new 18mm going to have a big sort out and find all my tools, mrs thinks she moved them but she cannot remember were...
Fortunately swmbo dont go in the shed cos of the cobwebbs and spider's , even the dustpan has webbs all over it ;D ;D
mine not got an spider's in it yet not been up long, but wish she would keep out of the shed :y
I have a lock on the inside of the shed so any hint shes coming out it gets bolted and light turned off ;D unless she shouts tea up :-X Been working hard today and no tea , how you getting on with the drop links ?
just waiting for spanners dont want cheap stuff snap them to easy should be here tomorrow, and tie rod on tuesday morning, want all part before i start, buying wish bones on tuesday when get payed so they should be here wednesday- thursday, so should be all here so can be all fitted on saturday, been looking at some new shocks but dose not say what type they are jus says omega 94-02 bright blue for some reason. thinking whats best way to get wish bones off and put new ones on last wish bones i did was on a Granada must be about 8years ago and they were a pain to get off bent the bar., been driving a vectra for a few days and hand brake keep banging when on and rattling when driving dont think its working on drivers side at all so prob have to have a look at it somtime soon.
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GM front end parts should last 120k+ :y pattern anything from a week to 40k in my humble experience :y
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GM front end parts should last 120k+ :y pattern anything from a week to 40k in my humble experience :y
got message back, says they were damaged boxes and dose not know what make they are just omega 94 etc left on them £60 for set, asked why they are blue, said he painted them blue him self anti rust paint so dont think i will get them. :y
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got one side done, was gone on the anti-rollbar link, tryed to get the steering tie bar off but ends rusted up so getting a new gas can to heat it up so can swap it all over.
then changing the wish bones..
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got one side done, was gone on the anti-rollbar link, tryed to get the steering tie bar off but ends rusted up so getting a new gas can to heat it up so can swap it all over.
then changing the wish bones..
Had hell of a job separating mine ..soaked them overnight in +gas but still solid and even snapped a spanner (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Smilies/pat.gif) got them off eventually but took all my strength hanging onto the spanner full weight like a monkey ::)
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got one side done, was gone on the anti-rollbar link, tryed to get the steering tie bar off but ends rusted up so getting a new gas can to heat it up so can swap it all over.
then changing the wish bones..
Had hell of a job separating mine ..soaked them overnight in +gas but still solid and even snapped a spanner (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Smilies/pat.gif) got them off eventually but took all my strength hanging onto the spanner full weight like a monkey ::)
if it not undo then just going to cut it off and tap it out other side is fine. :y
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Yesterday I did my third wishbone / droplinks change, but first time on the recent car. It was, without question, the most pain in the ar*e job ever, and easily the hardest of the three changes. Don't really know why; the drop links came off easily enough, as did the wishbones, but getting the new ones back in was hell. Fitting the bushes first then trying to force the wishbone down far enough to fit into the steering knuckle just wasn't going to happen. I finally managed it by fitting the ball joint to the steering knuckle, then fitting the rear bush first before the front one. But getting that rear bush to sit vertically enough in the holder to line up the bolt holes .... flippin 'eck! I have bruises all over my arms and pulled a muscle in my chest! However the improvement in the handling is amazing! Both front bushes were shot, meaning that the car would weave all over the place under acceleration. Just need to have the tracking re-set now...
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Yesterday I did my third wishbone / droplinks change, but first time on the recent car. It was, without question, the most pain in the ar*e job ever, and easily the hardest of the three changes. Don't really know why; the drop links came off easily enough, as did the wishbones, but getting the new ones back in was hell. Fitting the bushes first then trying to force the wishbone down far enough to fit into the steering knuckle just wasn't going to happen. I finally managed it by fitting the ball joint to the steering knuckle, then fitting the rear bush first before the front one. But getting that rear bush to sit vertically enough in the holder to line up the bolt holes .... flippin 'eck! I have bruises all over my arms and pulled a muscle in my chest! However the improvement in the handling is amazing! Both front bushes were shot, meaning that the car would weave all over the place under acceleration. Just need to have the tracking re-set now...
:o
Thats the omega fighting back , took the wind out my sails when i last worked on the suspension :(