Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: JohnM on 05 December 2006, 21:15:15
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Okay here goes, it'll be a slow and steady one this.
Mini-facelieft 2˝L (R reg) many miles (c.167k)
Symptons. A slight pull to the n/s, about the same under a rolling stop and a sharp brake. Appears to be more noticable at slower speeds.
Tony has seen the car a few times now and is happy it is not geometery related - the figures do not show why it might be a 'lefty'. Also proven not to be pneumatic.
Last year had replacement track rod ends for MOT. Droplink changed to stop 'clunking' over minor pot-holes (so much quieter). New wishbone bushes forward and rearward both sides as front worn (a lot). New shocks as one was weaping a bit (and mileage). Coils look unbroken.
Steering idler appeared 'worn' but now "tightened" by otherwise reliable garage.
Measured ride height okay - although clearance at front arches seem tight.
So this is foxing us all. Tony can't see why it pulls. My garage man can't either (thinks it can only be setup). I've run out of bits (and money) to change. The only other things I can add is that it appears to have occured after the front 'bone bushes were changed (or I've only be able to notice it since). Yesterday I found an empty, even area to play and there are no knocks on full left or right lock but there was the odd cluck/groan and at one point I thought it was all square again until it hit the real road/s and was back to the slight left pull. Someone else drove it and thought it was easier to pull onto full lock to the left than the right (can't be much in it as I hadn't noticed); but despite being set up centred the wheel is rh down about 5 degrees.
Minor after-thought. Whilst otherwise slight, this car has, previous to my ownership (I hasten to add), been in a somewhat minor (cw others) frontal argument. That said, Tony thinks the car is straight and would spot if the chassis was not quite how Vauxhall made it.
Has anyone;
a) experienced of this, and preferably the solution
b) got any really good suggestions
c) want an otherwise nice motor - now with expertly fitted parking sensors (although the buzzer is temporary sited). It is *not* gold, it is platinum!
d) want to sell me an nice clean v6 (with all the statuary done) motor for not too much - PX?
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If idler worn, these cannot be 'tightened' and must be replaced.
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Thanks. What I'd thought but didn't say.
Could this be the cause of my ills though?
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Has anyone;
a) experienced of this, and preferably the solution
b) got any really good suggestions
c) want an otherwise nice motor - now with expertly fitted parking sensors (although the buzzer is temporary sited). It is *not* gold, it is platinum!
d) want to sell me an nice clean v6 (with all the statuary done) motor for not too much - PX?
a) Yep, both my Omegas over the past 8 years were pulling to the left... :)
b) None whatsoever :(
c&d) Non and no
Tony had a go at mine as well and couldn't figure it out, he finally suggested swapping-over the two front wheels and believe it or not it did the trick... well it still pulls ever-so-slightly to the left, but if I wasn't looking for it because of past experience I wouldn't have noticed.
My view is that all Omegas pull to the left, don't know why and don't care what everyone else says, they just do!
Welcome to the club mate….
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yp mines is getting this too - narrowed it down to happening after i changed two rear tyres and had rear brakes done.
Dont think they are related but its MOT time later this month and i will investigate it soon, i do know its needing some geometry work.
No one got an Omega that pulls to the right?
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I have the same problem, was perfect until I changed the front wishbones and didn't re-track until the next day, one trip to work with tracking out scuffed the inside edge of the RH tyre, has pulled slightly to the left ever since but is getting better as the tyres wear more evenly.
There's a lesson in there, I've learned it now !
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Every omega I have ever owned has had a small left pull. As long as it's not severe, and does not occur specifically just under braking, I wouldn't be too concerned if it's all been checked out.
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Every omega I have ever owned has had a small left pull...
Finally.... I am not mad after all ;D
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Finally.... I am not mad after all ;D
It is driving me mad. If the car appears 'straight', nothing else is worn (the steering idler was tightend at its bolt/s and now has no or little play in it), has been setup geometery wise, had the tyres swapped to eliminate, what else is left (apart from the pull).
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Mine's a lefty. Noticed mainly 20/30 mph after going over rise in the road - I put it down to the camber but other cars I've driven on same stretch are fine. Tyres wear evenly and no issues on motorways so apart from 4 way tracking I just live with it.
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This (newly added) poll is biased !
- bit cheeky that.
- and I want added in:-
"... and is driving me nuts (and I want my money back anyway)"
then I'll partake; well just stick me in 'as pulls too much to the left far more than it ought too and is driving me nuts (and ...)' :)
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Hi John
Had the same problem i cured it by just tweeking up the freeplay on the steering box. there is a adjusting bolt on the top of the box but make sure it is in the straight ahead position and the engine NOT RUNNING and just slack of and nip it up that will take up the slack and just for an afterthought i run the the camber setting at -1.20 nearside and -1 .10 and the car is as straight as a die incidently this info came from a gentleman who is the tech manager from avon tyres who said one of the problems with omegas is the genourus steering tolerances
Robert
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Robert,
Thanks. Just looking at my prints and they are not making too much sense at the moment (too late). I've noted your figures and I'll ask Tony if mine can be set similar. I bet your camber figures took out any drift. I can't place the box adjustment right now - did you have much play at the steering wheel before the tweak?
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As most roads have a camber to the left, are we being paranoid?
I haven't voted.
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As most roads have a camber to the left, are we being paranoid?
I haven't voted.
;D
They can still get you even if your not ...
This is too much of a pull, unless the car is right over the crown it climbs back!
Still, some bits to go on.
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As most roads have a camber to the left, are we being paranoid?
I haven't voted.
Boffins here, remember?... ;D
I tested this while driving back-and-forth diagonally in a near-empty lorry car park at a service station off the M1. Nothing to do with road camber...
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Mark
the play wasnt too bad but just nipping it up made stteering wheel come central and stop pulling but my steering wheel was nearly 10 to 4 position but as the Boy said if idler worn yu will need to replace it that could be yr problem i was told by avon thats the problem with omegas too many joints in the steering set up the slightest wear in any one of them will cause a problem i suspect that one of yr joints somewhere in the steering train is worn i replaced all mine as it was driving me mad the pulling and even after changing them all i still had the problem but narrowed it down to play in the steering box i tightened it up and voilla problem solved hope its as simple for you good look matey
Robert
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Yeah, I did my steering box too, stopped the car wondering on uneven roads and made the whole thing feel much more confident, it's a must do but don't go too tight !
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Anyone considered brands of tyres mixed etc
Or tyre bulging on lower end/cheapy tyres.
Just a thought.
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Anyone considered brands of tyres mixed etc
Or tyre bulging on lower end/cheapy tyres.
Just a thought.
OK... but why always to the LEFT? :o
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probably tell me to shut it but could the l/h brake be slightly binding? or the caliper piston not returning correctly? tone