Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: ViaraiX on 22 August 2009, 23:12:27

Title: Heavy Steering
Post by: ViaraiX on 22 August 2009, 23:12:27
Got a 1998 2.5 V6 yesterday and the steering is very heavy, its my 2nd omega and definatly not right.

There is at least some power steering so its not totally gone.

Only thing I have found so far about heavy steering is if speed sensor is gone but speedo is fine and no lights on dash.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: Ziad on 22 August 2009, 23:14:49
Quote
Got a 1998 2.5 V6 yesterday and the steering is very heavy, its my 2nd omega and definatly not right.

There is at least some power steering so its not totally gone.

Only thing I have found so far about heavy steering is if speed sensor is gone but speedo is fine and no lights on dash.

Any ideas?

Try doing the paperclip test to see if any codes are stored mate  :y

See link below to know how it's done:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: Andy B on 23 August 2009, 00:59:41
Quote
Quote
Got a 1998 2.5 V6 yesterday and the steering is very heavy, its my 2nd omega and definatly not right.

There is at least some power steering so its not totally gone.

Only thing I have found so far about heavy steering is if speed sensor is gone but speedo is fine and no lights on dash.

Any ideas?

Try doing the paperclip test to see if any codes are stored mate  :y

See link below to know how it's done:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687

Paper clip just does engine codes  ;)
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: SJKOO01 on 23 August 2009, 14:35:12
Becides the obvious fluid level check, when the cars stationary, can you hear the power stearing pump working when you steer from side to side ?.
As sounds like the power pump isn't working as it should ?.
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: LFF64 on 23 August 2009, 14:45:48
Check your fuses I cant remember which one but there is a fuse that effects the steerrng   :y
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: raywilb on 24 August 2009, 08:16:54
i once had a prob with mine turned out to be the fuse. does your cig lighter work, same fuse i think
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: NiallyV6CDX on 24 August 2009, 11:22:58
Quote
Check your fuses I cant remember which one but there is a fuse that effects the steerrng   :y

There is a fuse and a relay that controls the servotronic valve which varies the wieght of the steering. If it has gone it maybe stuck in its low assistance setting. Cant remember exactly where it is, maybe behind the glovebox? :-?
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: ViaraiX on 24 August 2009, 12:03:42
Thanks for all the replies, heres some more info...

No engine codes (except 31)

Cigarette lighter works

Checked most of fuses under steering wheel (skipped obvious ones e.g. lights, wipers, etc..) and couldnt see any blown ones.
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 August 2009, 12:13:17
Does the steering lighten up again at higher engine revs? Just wondering if the pump's on its' way out.

Kevin
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: ViaraiX on 24 August 2009, 12:38:22
it feels the same at all speeds

i found the fuse (good ol' autodata) (for anyone else who ever needs to find it 2nd row down, 6th from left - F14) and its not blown, steering feels the same though weither fuse is in or not.

cant find any relay to do with steering though.
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: ffcgary1 on 25 August 2009, 00:48:01
The Servotonic relay is located behind the glovebox and is red in colour, this relay controls the amount of power assistance at various speeds so change that before spending big money on a pump. Has the car had the geometry done recently as incorrect steering angles will also stop the steering from centering and give a feel of Heavy or no assistance.
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: hotel21 on 25 August 2009, 00:54:43
T2 steering response/assistance can be varied by tech2.  Check the obvious - fluid level, fuses, tyre pressures - then work from there and adjust accordingly.

Check T2 locations/prices to see whats available 
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: yatesDELTA on 25 August 2009, 09:46:35
My last Omega had very heavy steering in comparison to my current one, always thought there was something wrong with it but was always like that so i never really knew.
Power steering did work (i know becuase it got worse when fanbelt decided to break) and it didnt seem to get worse over the time i owned it, i put a good 30k miles on the car...
just wondering if some are just less good than others or something?

Oh when i had the track rod ends done it felt it bit heavier so maybe it could be to do with that?
Title: Re: Heavy Steering
Post by: ViaraiX on 25 August 2009, 23:38:18
had tracking done (is that enough?) was 5mm out but made no difference, tyre pressures all correct now, was way out (r/ns 44psi, f/os 14 psi) all made a slight improvement but still heavy.

will try relay next then see if I can get a tech2 hookup