Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Craig_R on 21 July 2006, 12:54:56

Title: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: Craig_R on 21 July 2006, 12:54:56
I dont know how i missed this but if the car is not moving and the engine is running and i turn the steering wheel back and forth quickly i can hear and feel a knock or clunk

if i turn the steering wheel full lock both directions on and then off it does not seam to do it.

it does not do it when driving, i only noticed it in a petrol station waiting in line and i was bored so turned the steering wheel back and forth and the knock or cluck was there,

guess this is causing my vibration when driving.

any clues to what it may be ?


Thanks
Craig
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: Big Rod on 21 July 2006, 13:00:12
Off the cuff answer..................Trackrod ends.

Although I don't know of any that've needed done.

the other possibility, and these do wear out frequently, is the sway bar drop links, but I'd've expected you to hear them when driving over bumps.
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: nixoro on 21 July 2006, 13:01:44
Possibly play in the steering arms causing the knocking.

Someone may think different, and be able to give further diagnosis.

Hear is a link to help identify the part http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Steering-Arm-110mm-Omega-Carlton_W0QQitemZ4635440124QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10404QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

HTH
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: Craig_R on 23 July 2006, 17:49:22
Well got time to get under the car today and get someone to move the steering wheel whist i was under the car and found the knock to becoming from the drivers side wheel.

it is coming from the ball joint in the photo with the arrow poining at it

(http://www.firedragon.com/~swamp/wheel.jpg)

What is thispart called that needs replacing ? and how much do they cost ?

Thanks
Craig
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: RonaldMcBurger on 23 July 2006, 17:52:10
Tie rod
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: summat on 23 July 2006, 18:11:36
Also known as Track Rods, right? (thought the two terms were used interchangebly)

Anyway, to replace - had once replaced during MoT, cost something like £15 for part, £15 for labour and £10 for tracking (yeah, right!)

Same symptoms as yours, BTW
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: Craig_R on 23 July 2006, 18:24:51
Thanks Ill have to get one ordered and replace it looks like an easy job the only part ill not beable to do i the tracking,

It does feel Loose would this be the reason its pulling left and is alittle jugdery under breaking and cause vibration when driving increasing with speed ?

Will I have to replace both sides or can i get away with just doing the knacked one ?

Thanks

Craig
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: TheBoy on 23 July 2006, 18:26:38
I did all my track rods ends and centre tie rod a couple of months back. Not a hard job, but ball joint splitter reqd. Tracking will be required afterwards of course - though I managed to get mine within Vauxhall's spec by eye (by measuring old ones)...
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 23 July 2006, 18:41:57
Its worth getting the full rod as you can bet the track rod end will be seized solid....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/vauxhall-omega-B-1994-2003-track-tie-rod-new_W0QQitemZ4630866447QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10404QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And before fitting it, undo the screw threads and grease them to buggery......
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: TheBoy on 23 July 2006, 18:46:17
Wise words by Mark - the reason I changed mine was one side had seized solid, and had been deformed by a tracking place trying to undo...
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: STMO123 on 23 July 2006, 19:01:01
Is there anything you can do to prevent them seizing in the first place? Can you grease them or are they sealed once in place?
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: JasonH on 23 July 2006, 19:16:13
Unscrew them and fill with grease. I'll certainly do mine when I replace them. The ones on there are well seized. Had them glowing red and even then they only creaked round.

You might be able to get a bit of grease in them in-situ, but really they need to come off to be disassembled greased and reassembled.
Title: Re: steering knock/Clunck
Post by: Craig_R on 23 July 2006, 22:36:50
I am going to have a look tomorrow to see if it is seized i hope is is not i do know the tracking was done about 5 months ago.

if it is seized looks like the whole lot will have to be replaced.

Craig