Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: davemac on 08 December 2012, 14:13:39

Title: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: davemac on 08 December 2012, 14:13:39
Hi guys.
I have just tried to get the wheel alignment done on my Elite but was told that the adjustment nuts are siezed tight.
It was recommended that I replace the entire assemblies, front and rear then take the car back for alignment.
Can anyone tell me the parts I need to look out for? (I'm new to all this lol!) Also where to source them?
My local garage have told me they will fit the parts but I should source them as it could save a mint  :)
Thanks,
Dave.
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: TheBoy on 08 December 2012, 15:01:04
I have found the pattern ones to be poor, so I always use genuine GM.  PM andyc for Tradeclub price :y
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: davemac on 08 December 2012, 16:17:06
Thanks mate, have sent pm to Andy  :)
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: feeutfo on 08 December 2012, 19:13:23
Was this pro tyre by any chance?  Your not that far from Wheels in motion in Chesham, it's worth the extra miles.


Did they aplly any heat or air hammer? If not they didn't really try.

Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: davemac on 08 December 2012, 20:47:58
Hi,
It was Kwik-Fit in Windsor (recently taken over Central Tyres but same staff there) and yes, they did apply heat after the air hammer failed.
The guy called me out to show me the problem and it sure seemed siezed to me!
He was genuine I reckon, didn't charge me at all for re-alignment despite an hour or so of the car being linked to the computerised camera system on the ramp. He even fixed a dodgy join in the exhaust tailpipe for me free of charge.
I thought of asking my local garage to have a go at freeing them when they are looking at something else for me next weekIf not then replacement would seem the only option.
Dave.
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: gibby on 08 December 2012, 21:06:14
Hello mate, did they try to heat them with gas? Twice my were declared seized but after heating them with gas were easily removed. Also when replacing new ones apply lots of grease to avoid the problem. Thanks
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: feeutfo on 08 December 2012, 21:13:15
Hi,
It was Kwik-Fit in Windsor (recently taken over Central Tyres but same staff there) and yes, they did apply heat after the air hammer failed.
The guy called me out to show me the problem and it sure seemed siezed to me!
He was genuine I reckon, didn't charge me at all for re-alignment despite an hour or so of the car being linked to the computerised camera system on the ramp. He even fixed a dodgy join in the exhaust tailpipe for me free of charge.
I thought of asking my local garage to have a go at freeing them when they are looking at something else for me next weekIf not then replacement would seem the only option.
Dave.
fair do's then. :y we normally run screaming from the room at mention of kwick fitup on here.

I'd still recomend Wim though. Ask your guys what settings they use for the omega. As you may have seen on here, factory settings are hopeless.
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: feeutfo on 08 December 2012, 21:15:13
Ps, as said, andyc can help with dealer prices.

Allgerman web site to check prices to. :)
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: davemac on 08 December 2012, 21:25:20
Hi, yes they had the oxy-acetylene torch on them - the one they use to weld exhaust joints. The air hammer almost spun the guy round not the nut! We kinda figured they had not been adjusted for a long time - if ever. I will ask my local garage as I said just to get confirmation.
I got a print out of the measurements from them - the settings are not wildly out except for the toe at -2.51%.
It pulls under hard braking so I'll take it easy until it is fixed. I don't do many miles so hopefully won't kill my tyres too soon!
Thanks for all the suggestions guys, next project after this?
Sort out the oil leaking into the spark-plug chambers :-(
Dave.
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: symes on 08 December 2012, 21:30:20
I always use Lemforder dearer but top quality :y
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: davemac on 08 December 2012, 21:41:25
Hi,
I was looking at Lemforder parts from Euro Car Parts and they do seem pricey from there.
I'm waiting for a Haines manual to arrive so I can (hopefully) id the correct parts too.
Wish I had somewhere to work and have a go at freeing it myself, just to be really sure they won't shift :-)
Dave
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: feeutfo on 08 December 2012, 21:46:55
Hi,
I was looking at Lemforder parts from Euro Car Parts and they do seem pricey from there.
I'm waiting for a Haines manual to arrive so I can (hopefully) id the correct parts too.
Wish I had somewhere to work and have a go at freeing it myself, just to be really sure they won't shift :-)
Dave
http://www.omegaspareparts.com/resources.html  :-X
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: davemac on 08 December 2012, 21:59:45
Thanks for that Chris, I have bought from these guys and will probably visit them with a shopping list lol!
Didn't know they had downloads on the site though - should have looked  ;)
I saw this on e-Bay 270381821204
Looks to be the right parts but no idea who made them.
Dave.
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: 2woody on 08 December 2012, 23:41:45
In my experience, there's no such thing as a tracking rod which won't adjust. Just keep trying until it moves.

remove locking screws.
Heat extensively.
Hammer all around the end joint
rotate track rod end using a piece of tubing.

repeat until unstuck.
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: davemac on 09 December 2012, 00:09:55
Yes, I agree but I just don't have the place here to try myself. Off to the garage Monday :- )
Title: Re: Track rod assembly replacement
Post by: plym ian on 09 December 2012, 11:36:16
I normally find a pair of stilsons and a 22st lump hang off the end helps ;D ;D


(the 22st lump being me ;D)