Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: 3.0V6Elite on 08 June 2009, 22:00:46

Title: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: 3.0V6Elite on 08 June 2009, 22:00:46
Have a bit of a problem with my front end, she seems to shake a bit when light braking, but is fine under hard braking. Also, when at motorway speed the steering wheel vibrates a bit, and when going over bumps/minor pot-holes there seems to be a knocking coming from the front.

Now I think that I know the answer to this in that it is probably the wishbones but could it be anything else?
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: James Q on 08 June 2009, 22:02:53
could well be the wishbones, cant think of anything else at the mo though.
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: Turk on 08 June 2009, 22:17:59
If the knocking is most prominent at low speeds over smaller bumps and ripples, then it's probably the Drop Links. Easy to change and cheap enough.
Worn drop links won't really give handling/steering issues tho'. Just the annoying Clunk.
If the vibration on the steering wheel starts around 55mph and disappears after 65-70mph then it's probably a wheel balance issue. 
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: Ghost on 09 June 2009, 08:53:55
Also have a look at the steering idler arm
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: feeutfo on 09 June 2009, 09:29:14
sounds like wishbones to me. In my experience wishbones can give an intermitent osolation at the wheel. Feels like brake Judder i suppose and could easily be mistaken for brakes, but its different. Brake Judder is quite sharp and makes the car shake. The wishbone wobble is slower and makes the steering wheel turn left right in more of a flap, or wobble as you say, than a judder. A bit like a tank slapper on a bike, if you've ever seen or experienced that youll know what i mean.

Does that make sense?
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: feeutfo on 09 June 2009, 09:32:21
but also as said its always worth checking other components including the steering idler. Never had that issue personally.
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: NaughtyNigel on 09 June 2009, 10:49:20
Front brake disks may be on their way out too.  :(

NN
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: 3.0V6Elite on 09 June 2009, 13:06:44
Quote
Front brake disks may be on their way out too.  :(

NN
Discs and pads are relatively new with only IIRC around 3K miles on them so I think that I can rule them out.
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: Jimbob on 09 June 2009, 13:08:09
Quote
Quote
Front brake disks may be on their way out too.  :(

NN
Discs and pads are relatively new with only IIRC around 3K miles on them so I think that I can rule them out.


Dont count on it, were they genuine or cheapies?
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: PxMetro on 09 June 2009, 13:20:49
All the above are worthy of consideration. If Disks are warped, then this can be Exacerbated by worn out wishbone bushes.

I changed my disks and pads two weeks ago to address similar symptoms using genuine parts, and the problem has gone away. Drop links could also be the route cause of the knocking, but then again so could worn out wishbone bushes.  :)
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: Kumamoto on 09 June 2009, 13:33:44
Had the same on my car and it was the track rod...
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: tigers_gonads on 09 June 2009, 13:35:01
had the exactly the same on my td last year mate, turned out to be the wishbones  :y

one of the lads on here did theirs a few months back so should be able to tell you more  :y (can't remember who)

im sure he will be along later  :y
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: 3.0V6Elite on 09 June 2009, 17:20:51
Thanks for all the replies, it all helps!

Keep em coming...
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: Pitchfork on 09 June 2009, 18:31:12
My wife has a wobbly back end but I'd prefer it is she had a wobbly front end instead!! :-X
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: AndyVXR300 on 09 June 2009, 19:00:01
I had the same problem and have just had my wishbones done for my MOT and it has cured the problem :y
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: 3.0V6Elite on 09 June 2009, 19:37:57
Quote
I had the same problem and have just had my wishbones done for my MOT and it has cured the problem :y
It has just been through the MOT at Easter and nothing was picked up. I think that I might start with the easy bit and get some new drop links to see if that cures it.  :-/

If not then I will probably move on to the wishbones.
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: 3.0V6Elite on 13 June 2009, 16:00:23
Got some new drop links this week from my local motor factors and just managed to fit them today. The wobbly front end is no more!

Thanks once again for the helpful advice.  :y
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: feeutfo on 13 June 2009, 16:18:23
would be suprised mate tbh. Unless your wobble is actually a knock. Drop links dont affect the stability of the wheels as i understand it. They are there to control body role. Which they still do when worn, they just rattle over bumps when buggered.
Title: Re: Wobbly Front End?
Post by: 3.0V6Elite on 13 June 2009, 16:56:40
Quote
would be suprised mate tbh. Unless your wobble is actually a knock. Drop links dont affect the stability of the wheels as i understand it. They are there to control body role. Which they still do when worn, they just rattle over bumps when buggered.
Well on a short run around the block it seemed to be OK. I'll have to take it out for a longer run later and see how she goes.