Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: prestigesec on 20 April 2008, 23:25:46

Title: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: prestigesec on 20 April 2008, 23:25:46
Eventually got my omega estate 3.0L elite with all the toys for a very good price, needs a couple of bits doing though. One is when i drive over a speed bump or hit a pot hole there is a knock from the front as if something is loose it also does it when you hit the brake sharply. Car will be going up on the ramp tomorrow so just like to know whats the common thing that this could be so we are not wastin loads of time looking everywhere? Many thanks Steve.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: dbug on 20 April 2008, 23:27:26
Drop links, front suspension.  £9 each off ebay - ½hr each side to fit.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Andy B on 20 April 2008, 23:32:24
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Drop links, front suspension.  £9 each off ebay - ½hr each side to fit.
or ...... (holds coat ready) it might be cheaper in the long run to buy the 'proper' thing from Vx. 'Buy cheap fit twice' ......
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: prestigesec on 20 April 2008, 23:34:56
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Drop links, front suspension.  £9 each off ebay - ½hr each side to fit.
or ...... (holds coat ready) it might be cheaper in the long run to buy the 'proper' thing from Vx. 'Buy cheap fit twice' ......

Hate doing things twice, so how much from vauxhalls?
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Andy B on 20 April 2008, 23:37:23
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.....
Hate doing things twice, so how much from vauxhalls?

 :-[ Can't remember! I think SWMBO's Astra's drop link was about £20

Are you  a member of the Autobahnstormers Club? There's a member who fitted 2 drop links to his Monza, 1 of them was a 'proper' one from GM & the other was A N Other cos the dealer only had one. 'They look the same' he thought 'It'll be OK this once' 2 years down the line the OE GM part was still perfect, A N Other part was fubar'd.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: prestigesec on 20 April 2008, 23:45:08
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Hate doing things twice, so how much from vauxhalls?

 :-[ Can't remember! I think SWMBO's Astra's drop link was about £20

Are you  a member of the Autobahnstormers Club? There's a member who fitted 2 drop links to his Monza, 1 of them was a 'proper' one from GM & the other was A N Other cos the dealer only had one. 'They look the same' he thought 'It'll be OK this once' 2 years down the line the OE GM part was still perfect, A N Other part was fubar'd.

That'll do not bad price really, paid £75 for the ones on the scoob
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: FRE07962128 on 21 April 2008, 05:45:35
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Eventually got my omega estate 3.0L elite with all the toys for a very good price, needs a couple of bits doing though. One is when i drive over a speed bump or hit a pot hole there is a knock from the front as if something is loose it also does it when you hit the brake sharply. Car will be going up on the ramp tomorrow so just like to know whats the common thing that this could be so we are not wastin loads of time looking everywhere? Many thanks Steve.


What does a 'drop link' do please, and where located? :o :o

Lizzie Zoom :D
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: dbug on 21 April 2008, 08:32:23
Other members have recommended the cheapos off ebay & have found them to be ok.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 21 April 2008, 08:35:19
Beware the cheap, cheap ones......thw FAI branded ones seem ok.

Vx ones are about 30 quid each and not much better than the FAI ones.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Mike Collins on 21 April 2008, 08:37:03
Worn wishbone bushes will make a similar noise.

Droplinks you could remove and try without to isolate the source of the noise.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Andy B on 21 April 2008, 08:39:42
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.....
What does a 'drop link' do please, and where located? :o :o

Lizzie Zoom :D

Located at each end of the anti-roll bar.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: FRE07962128 on 21 April 2008, 09:08:35
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What does a 'drop link' do please, and where located? :o :o

Lizzie Zoom :D

Located at each end of the anti-roll bar.

Something else I have learnt!   Cheers.  Lizzie Zoom :y
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: TheBoy on 21 April 2008, 10:21:48
Check for play in front suspension, in particular wishbones. If none found, it will be droplinks.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Padster on 21 April 2008, 11:17:48
I've got the same noise, so do i jack the wheel off the floor and give it a tug on opposite sides like you do to test wheel bearings on m/cycles? I've looked at the wishbone rubbers and they look like they're peeling (similar to that of an onion) so could that be the problem?
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: dbug on 21 April 2008, 20:07:25
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I've got the same noise, so do i jack the wheel off the floor and give it a tug on opposite sides like you do to test wheel bearings on m/cycles? I've looked at the wishbone rubbers and they look like they're peeling (similar to that of an onion) so could that be the problem?

Difficult to check drop links - if really knackered you will feel play on joint if you pull it backwards and forwards.
Difficult to concentrate on reply - do u look like your Avatar?
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: VX1 on 21 April 2008, 20:55:28
If you are getting a knock from the front every time you go over a speed hump and braking then this is caused by the lower front wishbone bushes being worn. When you replace the wishbones also replace the drop links as well due to removing them to give you more movement for attaching the wishbones to the front hub. Best to change wishbones then that way the front end is new and won't need repalcing for another 12 months minimum. Make sure you get the FAI drop links, 1. cause they are cheaper than vx, and 2. last longer than vx.

Paul  :y
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: omegalyn on 21 April 2008, 20:56:49
Had the same nasty noise on my 2.0, if it’s the same setup, changed the wish bone bushes and the steering idler,  been quiet ever since.
 :y
Lyn
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: markey mark on 21 April 2008, 20:57:56
i would go bottom arms bud !!  :y
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: VX1 on 21 April 2008, 20:59:12
Front wishbones are the same on all the omegas from 2.0ltr through to the 3.6 I believe.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Entwood on 21 April 2008, 21:05:45
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Front wishbones are the same on all the omegas from 2.0ltr through to the 3.6 I believe.

Dang .. have I missed something .......   :)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: VX1 on 21 April 2008, 21:07:41
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Front wishbones are the same on all the omegas from 2.0ltr through to the 3.6 I believe.

Dang .. have I missed something .......   :)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

OOOPPPPSSS ment to put 3.2. There are only a few 3.6 omegas but the police force seem to have them.  :(
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: DC on 21 April 2008, 21:36:07
a question for resident experts (only for info - sorted mine out 2 weeks ago). what are actually drop links for? what would happen if you were to remove them and drive without them - long term?
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Andy B on 21 April 2008, 21:47:19
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a question for resident experts (only for info - sorted mine out 2 weeks ago). what are actually drop links for? what would happen if you were to remove them and drive without them - long term?

They connect the ends of the anti-roll bar to the car's suspension. The anti--roll bar helps to transfer the cornering forces from one side of the car to help the wheel on the other side of the car to stay on the road surface.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: hotel21 on 21 April 2008, 21:52:38
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a question for resident experts (only for info - sorted mine out 2 weeks ago). what are actually drop links for? what would happen if you were to remove them and drive without them - long term?

They join the front anti roll bar which is located across the vehicle to the suspension on each side.

As one side of the suspension compresses under cornering the drop link transfers some of that movement through the anti roll bar (theres a clue there  ;) ) to the suspension on the other side of the vehicle to reduce (or attempt to equalise) the roll, thus improving handling as well as passenger comfort.

If its removed from one side but not the other wrong handling characteristics will result, as will complete removal from both sides.  Not recommended, other than for the shortest of short term diagnosis purposes......
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: DC on 21 April 2008, 21:57:01
thank you! i have previously had a fwd car which did have anti-roll bars and i know what they are for, but cant remeber it having any drop links
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Golfbuddy on 21 April 2008, 23:15:47
Out of interest, what was the answer here? Drop links? Or wishbones? Or both?
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: hotel21 on 21 April 2008, 23:19:28
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Out of interest, what was the answer here? Drop links? Or wishbones? Or both?

Initial answer was drop links.  Thats what I would go for, certainly the cheapest/quickest investigation/repair option rather than do the bottom wishbones....   ;)
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Golfbuddy on 21 April 2008, 23:20:52
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Out of interest, what was the answer here? Drop links? Or wishbones? Or both?

Initial answer was drop links.  Thats what I would go for, certainly the cheapest/quickest investigation/repair option rather than do the bottom wishbones....   ;)

Cheers Broocie.  :y
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: Andy B on 21 April 2008, 23:22:49
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Out of interest, what was the answer here? Drop links? Or wishbones? Or both?

My fubar'd drop link was most noticable if you bounced the car by lifting the appropiate corner rather than bouncing it by pushing it down.
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: DJ Pete on 21 April 2008, 23:50:17
So, in a worst case scenario, with bumping from the front end when negotiating speed humps and under hardish braking, what parts should be looking to check/replace?
Title: Re: Knocking over speed bump
Post by: dbug on 21 April 2008, 23:55:14
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So, in a worst case scenario, with bumping from the front end when negotiating speed humps and under hardish braking, what parts should be looking to check/replace?

Change drop links first - the cheapest, easiest option - then do the bottom wishbones if drop links do not fully cure.