Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Arpy on 29 May 2013, 12:11:49

Title: front suspension
Post by: Arpy on 29 May 2013, 12:11:49
Hi
having concerns about handling!!
When driving and I go over lumpy road surface the nearside front sounds like its chattering and sometimes when coming off motorway under hard braking it feels unsteady as if deep grooves in road pulling you into them if you get me
Am I looking at the suspension or the wisbones or both etc
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: tigers_gonads on 29 May 2013, 12:15:36
First thing to check is the droplinks
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: Arpy on 29 May 2013, 12:24:07
ok thanks for that I can have a look now what do I check for
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: albitz on 29 May 2013, 12:27:28
Play in the joints at each end of the link.Also check for excessive play or tearing in the front wishbone bushes.
Also check tyres for uneven wear,and even tyres which have worn evenly will tramline when they get well worn.
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: biggriffin on 29 May 2013, 13:51:25
As above. :y and while wheels off check springs,make sure nither are broken.
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: slowboy on 29 May 2013, 15:05:53
 :y
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: johnny_boy on 29 May 2013, 18:48:31
Pulling to one side is lower arm bush being torn you will need to get the wheels up to see and use a pry bar to flex them. Give the drop links a yank with wheel turned with wheels on ground to check these.
As already stated before  ;)
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: symes on 29 May 2013, 21:11:43
From what you say about wandering steering when braking --Wishbone front bushes are shot-drop links are ok-that would clunk on braking :y :y
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: albitz on 29 May 2013, 21:14:40
Also check steering idler for wear,this would cause similar problems. :y
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 29 May 2013, 21:17:51
Some tyres are more or less prone to wandering/tramlining :-\

Clunking is droplinks most likely, but there's a how-to for checking wishbone bushes :y
Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: CG2 on 30 May 2013, 00:40:03
A tyre that handles well on omega will drive straight without tram-lining for, say, two thirds of the tyres life. Approaching 1,5mm off the wear indicators it will start to pick up wheel tracks in the road, assuming there's no faults on the car.

A bad handling tyre on omega will start off handling like a worn good handling tyre as described above, and degrade to the point it becomes dangerous, and very difficult to keep in lane on poor surfaces.

So, what tyres, and how worn are they? Is the wear even across the tread? Pay special attention to the inner edge on all four tyres.

If the wear is uneven, your most likely looking at bushes and set up. But tbh. Unless the bushes have been replaced, most cars this age will need new bushes and set up by now.

There are guides in maintenance and FAQ re handling issues.

But generally speaking;
Check and rectify suspension and steering faults.
Set the car up for full geometric set up, which includes camber. See wheels in motion web site.
Then fit new tyres once happy.


Title: Re: front suspension
Post by: slowboy on 30 May 2013, 11:31:37
Its all doom and gloom?? :'( :'( :'(