Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: wedge on 10 April 2013, 11:26:41
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hi all
i replaced all 4 tyres 8 months ago and have found that the inside of the front passenger side tyre is nearly down to the cord, but the outside of the tread and the other 3 tyres are fine
a garage told me that it was because of the steering linkage having 8 joints a side, which if each is out by 0.5mm, then that's possible 8mm out, which is what causes the problem and there's nothing i can do about it
i've looked through the forum pages but not found similar
can anyone verify this, or advise me what i should be doing
thanks Martin :)
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Waste of money buying tyres and only having tracking/balancing done. :-X
Omegas require accurate setting up by proper 4 Wheel Geometry by somebody who knows what they are doing. :y
Garage is correct that an Omega has a lot of steering/suspension parts which will all widely effect tyre life depending on their condition and accuracy.
Best bet is to get the entire car..all 4 wheels correctly checked along with balljoints/wishbones/track rods/suspension etc and see what the results show.
Dont go buying tyres until its corrected :y
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What he said :D
Full alignment needed - check out WIM :y
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As above :y
Get the car checked over by someone you trust to identify any weak or failing joints, including the front wishbone bushes.
If any significant play is found, then replace the parts identified.
Then, and only then, go to www.blackboots.co.uk (http://www.blackboots.co.uk) and book your car in for a full alignment at one of their franchises near you. Someone else here may well be able to recommend one locally :y
Finally replace the tyre.
If the tyre is about to become illegal, then dare I say it, fit part worn as a very short term measure. Generally NOT recommended, but entirely your choice.
Omegas, when set up properly, will wear the edges of the front tyres and the centre of the rears, but the wear should be consistent side to side.
HTH, Al :y
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a garage told me that it was because of the steering linkage having 8 joints a side, which if each is out by 0.5mm, then that's possible 8mm out, which is what causes the problem and there's nothing i can do about it
I'm sorry, but this is rubbish. Joints in good condition have NO play, so there is no more likelihood of inaccuracy than any other setup. Clearly they should be inspected for play along with all other suspension components and any issues rectified, but to say that nothing can be done about it is nonsense!
Inner edge tyre wear is generally caused by excessive camber, and your garage have failed to understand this. The Omega has a rather wide tolerance for this on most alignment machines, and since most will simply check that the measurements are "in the green" most wheel alignment centres will be no use whatsoever.
I would take it to wheels-in-motion if you're anywhere near Chesham, Bucks, or at least take to to a decent place that will do 4 wheel alignment and specify that you want around -1o10' or camber on the fronts, and ensure that you get what you asked for when you get the "before and after" report. :y
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have come across some stories over the years but never one quite as good/bad as this. suggest as others have said to get the tracking set front and rear and get the camber checked. !
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As been said by all. :)
but due to some alleged cyber bullying the resident expert might not be along shortly :'(
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Aye, garage talks 'dangle berries', they clearly do not understand the problem.
Camber is too aggressive on that side.
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Wedge, i noticed that your location is north yorkshire, what a lovely area of this land you live in, i can reccomend WIM AT CHESHAM, but i know that will be a trek for you but in my opinion it would be money well spent making the trip, if not you can try nigel lang in bolton, they are highly thought of when it comes to understanding the omega geometry.
As said before most wheel alignment centres will adjust it to be in the green but these figures were only good whilst the car and suspension where new and no good after a fair few miles. pls check that all your suspension bushes are in good order and that you dont have any broken springs on the car as these will cause more problems and any good shop will not be able to adjust geo untill these issues are sorted
Gary.
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Im having a similar problem with my Omega.. :(
When I bought the car both front tyres were bald on the inside, and the steering was a nightmare when driving. The car lurched all over the road, and i had to fight toe steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line.
Put 2 new tyres on the car. My dad has some 'old' wheel alignment tools (they borderline on being antique), and according to them the alignment was perfect.
Took the car out for the first time last night and the steering was just as bad. When breaking the car darts across the road and when you go over a bump the car skittles about.
I've had all the wheel components checked and can see nothing wrong with them. Would having the wheels professionally realigned solve the problem or is there something ive missed in my checks? :-\
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Chances are if it is darting around all over the place, that the rear bushes on the lower arms are shot :-\ Classic symptoms tbh :y
Either replace the arms with new or refit the rear bushes with genuine vx ones, £20 each. If the front bushes are split, cut them out and replace with poly ones from Powerflex :y
All in the Maintenance Guides :y
Save the alignment until the problem is sorted :y
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Chances are if it is darting around all over the place, that the rear bushes on the lower arms are shot :-\ Classic symptoms tbh :y
Either replace the arms with new or refit the rear bushes with genuine vx ones, £20 each. If the front bushes are split, cut them out and replace with poly ones from Powerflex :y
All in the Maintenance Guides :y
Save the alignment until the problem is sorted :y
Super Advice! Thanks :y ;D
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IMO, the entire system needs to be looked at.
On mine, it turned out to be the steering idler arm....
If this is the part, DO NOT get a cheep one! I got one from the Bay of Fleas and it lasted 3 months!!!! Real easy to fit and all I needed was a Geo' check....