Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: megaomega123 on 15 January 2007, 10:41:12
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Hi all
My omega feels very twitchy at the rear. I live in Scotland, where the roads are often wet and winding. A few times in wet conditions the back end has tried to get away from the rest of the car. There is no excessive speed or steering involved. Tyre pressure and tread are all ok all round. It just feels vunerable on bends and roundabouts, mainly in the wet.
I remember about a year ago i was behind an omega that rounded a corner and I watched it fishtail in the same manner. Admittely this person did seem to be taking it a bit quick.
Just wondered if this is a common symptom or if there could be something mechanical causing this.
Would appreciate any comments.
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Howdoo matey, just 30 miles south of you.
First check for me would be tyre pressures then make of tyres, before getting into the world of bushes, suspension, alignment etc. And a lot is on the way that a car is driven.
A lot of bigger cars can be fussy as to tyre make, and not always dearest is best. I had 4 Dunlops on my MV6 and there were not worth a button in the wet. Fitted F1's (costly.... ) but its like driving a different car.
I had a budget brand, cant remember the make, on a Carlton GSi and they were really quite good in both the dry and the wet.
Theres a meet of the Jockular Omegas (see thread in meetings on the home page http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1166112170 ) at Callander next weekend. Might be worth dropping along for a chat and a swap of experiences?
HtH
B
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I also live in the wet country, and have no issues with the backend twichting.
I have only managed to get the back end sliding a couple of times but the TC manages to bring it back under control before I can enjoy it, even in the snow.
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I had this happening too often for my liking when I first got my MV6. Largely due to the slick tyres, I think :o - it hasn't happened since I replaced them (budget brand - but not cheap!), and I'm starting to gain a bit more confidence in cornering again. But I also think it has a lot to do with the automatic transmission (which I wasn't used to). It seems to change gear when I wouldn't normally choose to do so in a manual - such as half-way through a corner! I'm now a bit more careful about when I put on the power - try to make sure the wheels are in a straight line first!
Baz.
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@BazMV6 - welcome to the fun of driving a powerfull rear drive atobox through bends... ;)
The other way to reduce the likelyhood (or increase it, if thats what you want) is to use the autobox like a manual via the 1st/2nd/3rd gear hold. That way you are basically driving the car like a manual but without the clutch and reducing or removing the involuntary gearchange timings.
HtH
B
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What is the mileage and have the rear shocks ever been changed (could be some lost motion causing a bit of axle tramp...)
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Hi
Mileage is 88000 rear shocks not changed to my knowledge. The car is manual also. I think it is probably down to tyre brand. It has Bfgoodrich profilers. Not my choice, came with the car. Think I may just change them all before MOT in March.
Thanks to all for your replies and to Hotel21 for the invite to the Jockular Omegas meet. I shall try to make that, but depends on kids' weekend activities :P
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/phate123/02120027.jpg) MY REAR TYRES
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/phate123/02120002.jpg)
Thanks again everyone :y
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Could be make of rear tyre?
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Just a thought: tyres are directional so it may be worth double checking this. I can't really tell from the picture but the top picture seems to be showing the directional arrow the wrong way round, but I can't be sure
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Rear shocks were my first thought. Do a bounce test and also check for weeping...
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Bounce test was ok and the tyre directions are correct. Ill change to another brand and let you all know if it makes a difference.
Thanks for all your comments :D
As a new user today, I think the timings and responses are excellent. Im sure to be a regular user.
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Good luck with the tyre change I had the same problem with my meega when I bought It it was very tail happy even with brand new tyres :o a few months later changed the rear tyres and grip especially in the wet on corners was much improved :y Oh and by the way welcome to the forum. Let us know how you go on
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As with all cars, keep the best tyres on the back...
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As with all cars, keep the best tyres on the back...
What you describe sounds like some poor tyres, low grip. My under powered 2.2 has to be pushed hard before the back end begins to step out.
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As with all cars, keep the best tyres on the back...
Agreed....unless its FWD.....then the backs only go around for the fun of it....imo
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Even with FWD I'd be wary of having crap tyres on the back, you can get some nasty snap lift-off oversteer on some of em :O
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As with all cars, keep the best tyres on the back...
Agreed....unless its FWD.....then the backs only go around for the fun of it....imo
Even with FWD - best tyres on rear is the standard advice.
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Probably tyres... BUT don't overlook geometry - wrong suspension settings can cause strange behaviour. Check www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk for more info - some of us southerners (myself included) had out cars done at Tony's and the difference is huge...