Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: DC on 16 November 2008, 22:15:31

Title: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: DC on 16 November 2008, 22:15:31
Hi everyone! Did anyone have a problem of front tyres (225/55R16) rubbing on shocks at some point of driving ? I found that inner edges of my front michelin's have been eaten-up - and I am not talking only nice even tyre wear but actually chunks being taken of the tyres. Also there are marks where the tyres seem to be rubbing on the shocks - at the extension that holds the springs. But when the car is parked - there is enough space between the tyres and the shocks (my offset is 36, so OK). Does anyone have a clue what is going on, before my car eats up another set of not too cheap tyres
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: markey mark on 16 November 2008, 22:17:29
camber camber !! need to have full geometry checked
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: ngrainqey on 16 November 2008, 22:18:16
camber and general suspension setup should cure this!
unless somethings broken....
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: DC on 16 November 2008, 22:29:55
Thanks guys! That was quick! Now just to find a place that can do it (and more importantly, that will do it right)
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: Albatross on 16 November 2008, 22:35:17
www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk

Have a look on the OOF map. Many alignment centres are marked on there with their own coloured markers.

Click on the other markers on the legend below to switch those "off" leaving only the alignment centres.

All those on the map have been recommended by OOF members in the past.
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: DC on 16 November 2008, 22:37:32
yep, heard of them. it would be quite an expensive geometry check if i was to drive there, dont you think
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: DC on 16 November 2008, 22:39:11
any near Basle, Switzerland? Zurich, Freiburg (Germany), Strasburg (France) also acceptable
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: Albatross on 16 November 2008, 22:40:45
Might be, but it depends on how "hungry" your car is for front rubber.  ;D

Sorry I should have looked at your location.

Seriously though. Find somewhere more local that does proper 4 wheel and camber alignment, don't think that getting 2 or even 4 wheel tracking will sort it.
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: Bandit127 on 16 November 2008, 22:41:43
Quote
www.wheels-in-motion.co.uk
Hmm, bit of a drive from Switzerland.

I would ask around locally. Scoobies demand a good 4 wheel setup. If you can find a place for them, they will probably do a good job on your Omega.

Follow the link to WIM. Tony there has done extensive research on Omega setup. If you ask him, perhaps he will let you know what the recommended settings are. I do know that they are not the factory settings,
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: DC on 16 November 2008, 22:43:44
Quote
Scoobies demand a good 4 wheel setup. If you can find a place for them, they will probably do a good job on your Omega.

Follow the link to WIM. Tony there has done extensive research on Omega setup. If you ask him, perhaps he will let you know what the recommended settings are.

great advices! thanks!
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: serek on 16 November 2008, 22:43:47
if you go to local opel service they do full camber and general suspension setup  :y plobely cheaper then come to uk ;D
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: DC on 16 November 2008, 22:49:33
Quote
if you go to local opel service they do full camber and general suspension setup

agree about the price. am not sure if they will do good job - here everything is done by book >:(
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: serek on 16 November 2008, 22:57:10
Quote
Quote
if you go to local opel service they do full camber and general suspension setup

agree about the price. am not sure if they will do good job - here everything is done by book >:(
some dealer service they dont do good job but allways if they do job not right you can come back , dont need to really go to opel garage but to place where they know what they do
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: feeutfo on 17 November 2008, 00:06:45
Quote
if you go to local opel service they do full camber and general suspension setup  :y plobely cheaper then come to uk ;D
I dont know how good dealers are in your area, but here they have become a bit of a joke. Maybe part of the problem is that the omega is no longer in production and the mechanics trained on them have left, retired, forgotten, or just dont care about the omega generally. Whatever the reason, probably extreme financial pressure, nobody on this forum has anything good to say about dealers as a general rule, and is partly why this forum is so popular.

 I can only advise with this in mind, and that is,
check all your suspension parts for general wear and tear before you get the car geometry set up, any later replacement parts can easily change the set up you have just paid for, making it a waist of time and money.
Specifically check,
1. all 4 wishbone bushes for play, controlled movement of the rubber bush is ok, but slop and tears within the rubber means replacement.
2 stearing idler for play.
3 broken springs, usually an inch or 2 broken off either end and very hard to find.
Any leaking or worn shocks or track rod ends should be replaced. Then as said, find a geometry set up company using lazer alignment for total accuracy and an operator who is equaly fussy.

 The standard factory settings are so wide as to be practically useless, even "in spec." settings can rip tires up. Personally i have spoken to dealers claiming full set up, trust me, in the uk, they have no idea. Avoid!
Hope helps.
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: DC on 17 November 2008, 20:15:03
crisgixer, I think dealers are everywhere the same. i dont think the issue is  that omega is no longer in production, it is more that they do it by the book - as opel/vauxhall suggests. they are not ineterested in experience accumulated over the years these cars have been on the road. this is exactly why i am on this forum and this is also the reason i am unsure i can find a place that will do my geometry right. btw, suspension tested - no play anywhere.
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: razzo on 17 November 2008, 21:54:57
might be worth an e mail to tony at wheels in motion, perhaps he could e mail you his recomendations for the omega geometry set up & you could get the locals to set it up as per his recomendations worth a shot
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: Kaycee on 17 November 2008, 22:02:37
Get the car on level ground at the front most inportant drop a plum line on yr front wheels measure the difference of the top of rim and bottom it should be around 9 mm  difference at the top thats yr starting point i suspect its mor than this  if its around 15mm yu got trouble bear i mind this is only a preliminary check
Title: Re: the car eating front tyres up
Post by: DC on 17 November 2008, 22:51:45
Thanks to all suggestions. Someone from the forum was kind to supply me with camber values. Now, all I need is to find a reputable place to sort it out.