Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: amba on 18 July 2013, 20:07:16

Title: Knock from steering
Post by: amba on 18 July 2013, 20:07:16
On hard r/h lock at low speed I get a metal/metal knocking noise and am having difficulty locating the problem.

Both wishbone/drop links replaced last year with Lemforder..both entitre T/R,s replaced again with Lemforder early this year.

No noticable play in steering,tyres wearing even ,ps fluid new and to level.

Any pointers guys..only seems to do it on hard r/h lock   
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: chrisgixer on 18 July 2013, 20:13:33
How many nm on the steering knuckle pinch bolt?
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: amba on 18 July 2013, 20:26:15
Havent checked but torqued up to 100nm when did the w/bones if you mean the lower ball joint ? and new bolt/nut fitted
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: chrisgixer on 18 July 2013, 20:54:19
Havent checked but torqued up to 100nm when did the w/bones if you mean the lower ball joint ? and new bolt/nut fitted
Should be fine.


So turning right, full lock, which side is the knock?

And the knock is in time with bumps not wheel speed? Presumably.
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: amba on 18 July 2013, 22:54:24
Right full lock at slow speed gives a definite metal/metal knock from drivers side..felt only at very slow speeds.

Noise replicated either travelling forward or backwards,but only on turning hard right.
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: chrisgixer on 18 July 2013, 23:04:54

And the knock is in time with bumps not wheel speed? Presumably.

?
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: amba on 19 July 2013, 07:44:17
Not road speed or condition of road related.

Notice when pulling away from a tight space such as parked and need to turn steering tight to r/h lock.No noise from power steering pump juts a metal/metal knocking which then goes as soon as tight lock is reduced
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: terry paget on 19 July 2013, 07:55:50
Have you recently changed front wheels or had new tyres fitted? I had such a fault caused by a balance weight hitting the brake caliper on full lock.
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: amba on 19 July 2013, 08:06:55
Good thought although wheels tyres are 12 months old now ,so cant see that being the issue.

As today looks like being cooler 8) I will get the car up on stands with both front wheels off and have a good pock around.Just hoped somebody may have had a similar fault and could point me in the right area.
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: chrisgixer on 19 July 2013, 10:53:29
Terry was on my train of thought there. But if its not in time with wheel speed it can't be that. Not bump related. So that leaves the noise being movent of the mechanism related.

Try tightening the steering box bolts to chassis. This gives a very very slow frequency creak that actually sounds like a series of knocks.

"If" the noise can be replicated while stationary try standing outside the car, turn the wheel through the open window, then you can listen by the wing and feel components as they move. Or an assistant of course , will help.

If it doesn't do it stationary, that implies the suspension and steering needs to be loaded. So there may not be any point jacking the car on stands and moving the steering from underneath. But it may be worth a try.
Be careful of the pas pump but squeezing right full lock on and off can stress the system enough to give clues as well.
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: chrisgixer on 19 July 2013, 10:54:53
Although, if tightening bolts on the steering box, you'll need it jacked up anyway. :-[ ;D
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: amba on 19 July 2013, 16:57:57
Thanks for help and input guys which is much appreciated.

I will start by getting it up and having a good look underneath for anything loose or evidence of wear and go from there..just odd it is only ever on hard r/h lock and at slow speed..well might be higher speed too but doudt car would ever be on hard lock then ;D
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: Nick W on 19 July 2013, 19:41:54
You might want to examine the strut top and bearing.
Only snag is that requires removing the strut, which due to the overly complicated design means an alignment session
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: SteveAvfc. on 12 August 2013, 20:08:33
Terry was on my train of thought there. But if its not in time with wheel speed it can't be that. Not bump related. So that leaves the noise being movent of the mechanism related.

Try tightening the steering box bolts to chassis. This gives a very very slow frequency creak that actually sounds like a series of knocks.

"If" the noise can be replicated while stationary try standing outside the car, turn the wheel through the open window, then you can listen by the wing and feel components as they move. Or an assistant of course , will help.

If it doesn't do it stationary, that implies the suspension and steering needs to be loaded. So there may not be any point jacking the car on stands and moving the steering from underneath. But it may be worth a try.
Be careful of the pas pump but squeezing right full lock on and off can stress the system enough to give clues as well.

Have had the same problem for a while now and could not locate it, followed Chrisgixers advice problem solved. Steering box bolts were not tight.  :y :y
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: chrisgixer on 12 August 2013, 22:20:57
Good to know Steve. Thanks for posting. :y
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: andrew38 on 13 August 2013, 10:15:38
I have the same issue, low speeds right lock after turning the wheel more than 50% will check the steering box bolts, thanks for the heads up all.
Title: Re: Knock from steering
Post by: F1 9LFG on 14 August 2013, 18:13:08
Just in case it wasn't you're steering box bolts try the top mounts, I had the same knocking for ages, replaced all sorts of bits, but the cause was the top mounts. Just a thought
Rob :y