Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Terry_Seyforth on 04 January 2008, 16:41:43

Title: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 04 January 2008, 16:41:43
Hi any ideas.
I have had the car a few weeks now, but never took it on a long journey, untill a coulpe of days ago, it drove ok, but found that when driving at speed and then slowing down to a round about or turn off, i get a shaking in the stearing wheel.
I checked the break pads and they seem ok front and back.
I did notice a service sheet that come with the car that mentioned, n/s and o/s steering bushes split, something like that anyway, dont know if they were replaced ?
mot in may so will see then if picked up.
But any ideas what would cause that shake.
Someone said worped tyre,balancing ? just dont know where to start.
There isnt any shake noticable when driving.
and on occasions when breaking not always shaking, but usually shaking when slowing down after speed.
Thanks  :-?
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 04 January 2008, 17:07:06
Could be warped brake disks if it's only under braking - common on auto's, because people hold the brakes on tight at traffic lights, which can cause the disks to warp when hot...
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: dbug on 04 January 2008, 17:13:04
Agreed warped brake discs if only shakes under braking.  Usually more noticable above 50mph.
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 04 January 2008, 17:22:41
Hi
also the pressurized water when washing is the main reason for the

hot disks..
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 04 January 2008, 17:50:00
last comment I dont understand ?
Are you saying after driving car the disc is hot, then you put cold water onto the disc ?

Is there anyway of confirming the disc is warped, before changing them /
Thanks ::)
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: markey mark on 04 January 2008, 17:54:19
how many miles have current discs done bud ? are they genuine discs ? if it only shakes when you brake would put money on warped discs bud !! or sticking caliper  ;)
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: markey mark on 04 January 2008, 17:55:07
Quote
Hi
also the pressurized water when washing is the main reason for the

hot disks..
:-? :-? :exclamation
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 04 January 2008, 18:58:15
sorry for bad-short explanation..

mostly cars are washed after some driving ..This become worst in

summer..And if you are not carefull enough when washing the rims +

spray cold water to a hot disc surface it may distort.
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: JasonH on 04 January 2008, 19:56:51
I had your exact symptoms and the problem was a wishbone bush.

Replaced both wishbones (£15 each from buypartsby.co.uk) and problem solved.
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: JasonH on 04 January 2008, 19:57:55
Oh and if the bushes are shot then your tyres will wear very badly very quickly....
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: shyboy on 04 January 2008, 20:08:35
If the shaking occurs when slowing down without braking it is probably more likely related to worn steering gear (bushes etc) and wheel imbalance, and you should be able to identify a speed range when it is at its worst. To the best of my knowledge, warped discs would cause the brake pedal to move up and down noticeably under your foot when braking, and you could of course have something of both problems.
Disc warping or runout can be measured (or at least identified)  fairly easily. IIRC the book of lies covers this.
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: lee4206 on 04 January 2008, 20:27:51
I had the same problem but mine was from 65 down to about 50.
Changed pads and discs for gen vx ones and problem gone so id put it down to discs warped.
lee
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Markjay on 05 January 2008, 00:48:36
Had same probelm when braking hard from 70-80 down to around 50, vibration in streering wheel but not in brake pedal.

Changed front discs and pad (Vx original) in April and problem went away.

Sadly the problem came back around October, I am not convinced that the new discs are now warped as well, will need to investigate...


 

Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: JasonH on 05 January 2008, 01:01:39
I had quite a good shake which got worse over a couple of weeks. It only happened when slowing down from motorway speeds on slip roads.

It was a torn vertical bush on one wishbone.
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 08 January 2008, 11:24:51
Do you think a mot will find any torn bushes etc.
I have niticed this car has discs on back and front, can we be sure it would be the front ?
How dear are the discs and how easy to fit, I have replaced the on other cars, but not a omega.   ::)
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: MikeDundee on 08 January 2008, 11:32:28
I had the same problem, not long after changing the discs (used non GM discs), mainly under braking, changed the discs, problem solved :y
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: TheBoy on 08 January 2008, 12:22:41
Worth checking the wishbones for play...
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Markjay on 08 January 2008, 12:42:40
Quote
Worth checking the wishbones for play...

Just got the wishbones, once replaced I'll let you know if it resolved my braking vibration problem...

Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: ians on 08 January 2008, 12:52:28
Quote
Do you think a mot will find any torn bushes etc.
I have niticed this car has discs on back and front, can we be sure it would be the front ?
How dear are the discs and how easy to fit, I have replaced the on other cars, but not a omega.   ::)

MOT should spot it but I wouldn't leave it that long if only because if the wishbones are gone (common problem) your tyres will rapidly get worn out on the edges.

A good (cheap!) first test would be too swicth front and rear wheels - that will eliminate anything to do with tyre imbalance.

The bushes referred to are most likely the wishbone bushes.

Changing disks/pads is straightforward but best to use genuine GM parts - they sell a kit which is about 70 quid all in with a trade card.  But I wouldn't do this until you have confirmed the cause.
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Neil_MV6 on 08 January 2008, 13:41:49
I have exactly the same problem.  I've just had new front tyres and it's still the same.  I know my disks need replacing but I'm also getting some knocking from the front suspension so wishbones are on my to-do list also.
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: dbug on 08 January 2008, 21:10:48
Disks easy to change - you will need an 18mm socket though to undo caliper bolts + male torx to undo disk locking bolt.
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 06 February 2008, 14:26:39
I havent had chance to investigate this problem, but have noticed I have been getting a shake even when driving along without breaking, sometimes it doesnt appear but more often than lately it is more noticable.
I have noticed the drivers side wheel seems to have found a leak, about 5 to 6  psi every week, would the loss of this amountof air in one tyre cause a wheel to shake ?
Thanks
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: DaveyDavey on 06 February 2008, 16:01:46
Now I'm no expert, but I would hazard a guess at suspension bush failure being the culprit. When you are braking then you are loading the front end and the bushes etc with additional weight , so if they are knackered then you will notice a problem that isn't apparent when you are driving along.

Since your shake has appeared whilst you are not using the brakes, then I would guess that you can rule out warped discs for the time being and should concentrate on the bushes.

Personally I wouldn't be driving the car either: I had an old Astra Estate that wobbled under braking and had weird noises/wobbles when driving - when the MOT came the garage said it was dangerous and shouldn't be on the road due to a number of issues.

I'd get it looked at asap!
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Richard A on 06 February 2008, 17:46:56
Yes it maybe worn bushes, however if it happens over 50 mph it is the disc's, worse with auto's', people don't use the hand brake only the foot brake, ie exit motorway, slow from 70 mph to zero in 70 metres on slip road, sit while lights change with foot on brake, area between disc & pad is VERY bloody hot, keep doing this and the disc WILL be damaged.  ;)
regards
richard
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: old cruiser on 06 February 2008, 20:01:59
My money is on wishbones (common problem on these cars), especially as I  noticed you mention turning off the roundabout, what you could try doing is when at say 60mph on motorway move steering wheel from left to right slowly and by a small, say an inch either side and see if the steering shakes by any amount, if so it's going to be most likely a shot bush/bushes in wishbones and at the very least steering linkage  :y
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Big_Roger on 06 February 2008, 21:42:41
Hi All,
I had this precise problem on a Renault Safrane I used to have, ie when slowing down from motorway speeds. Quite severe at times. Changed discs & pads & eventually calipers. (If you think Vx parts expensive, just be glad you don't have a Renault)

None of these were the problem, it was finally found to be the lower suspension bushes, equiv to Omega wishbone bushes. All looked OK, but nearside gone soft through oil leak on drive shaft joint.

HTH

Roger
Title: Re: Shaking steering when breaking
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 07 February 2008, 18:19:13
Thanks for all the info, I have got some good tips, I will have to jack it up and see If I can notice anything.
If not get a professional to have a look.
I will post my results when I have found the problem, maybe help someone else that has got similar problems.
Thanks :-/