Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: ORDERLY on 21 August 2010, 17:28:39
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Hi Gang! I have just purchased my omega and bar a few issues it is a fine and fast car to drive however i have a issue that is more worrying, that is when i have the engine running at idle the steering is amazingly stiff however when i rev the engine the steering becomes light - the tyres are worn on the edges could anybody help me with this - could it be a issue with the lower wishbones and bushe?
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V6 has servotronic speed sensitive power steering, heavy at idle & lightening with engine rev increase
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hi there,
change the engine oil and filter - thats what cured the ''stiffness'' in mine :y
What`s that got to do with the power steering :-? :-?
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V6 has servotronic speed sensitive power steering, heavy at idle & lightening with engine rev increase
speed sensitive steering is just that, ie dependant on actual speed of the car and not engine speed related (obviously as long as the engine is running to power the pump ;)).
This problem was cured on mine with another pump, but as Mark commented when he opened his old pump up, there wasn't any obvious wear inside as with mine. Perhaps a couple of power steering fluid changes might help. :y
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V6 has servotronic speed sensitive power steering, heavy at idle & lightening with engine rev increase
Shouldn't it be the other way around? Lighter when stopped/going slow and stiffening up when you're up to speed?
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Start with checking the tyre pressures.
Obviously the more wear there is on the front tyres that will add to heavy steering at idle.
Check for worn suspension joints as allready mentioned.
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the steering is really stiff at idle though im 19 stone and i have trouble steering at idle is that as it should be then? and soz for being thisk how does changing the engine oil and filter solve this problem? also the car wanders to the kerb if i let the steering wheel go.
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the steering is really stiff at idle though im 19 stone and i have trouble steering at idle is that as it should be then? and soz for being thisk how does changing the engine oil and filter solve this problem? also the car wanders to the kerb if i let the steering wheel go.
Sounds like there is something seriously worn there matey.
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Have a lool at the guides to check for play in your wishbones and steering etc, replace whats required and then book your self in for the wheel and geomtery alighnment.
Are you near any of these locations
http://www.blackboots.co.uk/order.php?step=5
* Banbury
* Bradford
* Doncaster
* Durham
* Grantham
* Grimsby
* Hartlepool
* Hinckley
* Hull
* Ilkeston
* Keighley
* Leeds
* Lincoln
* Mansfield
* Nottingham
* Redditch
* Scarborough
* SLady bitshorpe
* Sheffield 1
* Sheffield 2
* Stourbridge
* Swindon
* Wakefield
* York
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There are obviously other steering issues to cause it to wander but the stiffness sounds like a faulty steering pump if fluid level is ok. A lazy pump or slipping aux belt would just cause kick-back through the steering wheel. If the pump is failing it becomes a three man job just to park it.
Obviously the revs are helping the pump but it should be lighter at idle. :-/ :-/
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could it be the wishbones and related bushes?
what else does any one suggest?
i did think maybe pump but with increased use it very slowly starting to get better to i am thinking more on bushes
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how muc roghly would it cost me to get the pump changed at a garage?
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how muc roghly would it cost me to get the pump changed at a garage?
it shouldn't take much more than an hour to do, so depends really on labour rates. But ....... if you are at all reasonably competant with sppanners you could easily do it yourself, it's really not difficult.
Post you location and I'm sure someone local would be happy to help do it for you.
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im near luton (houghton regis to be exact) i will however investigate and replace the wishbones before condeming the pump! i dont think it is the steering gear itself as it steers positive and well
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im near luton (houghton regis to be exact) ......
fill in your profile and your location will appear to the left
<----- :y
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Hello,
I have the same problem, the power steering is heavy at idle and can stall the car if I am not too careful. I've changed the oil and filter on my car myself, with the correct grade of oil on a car with FSH and while the engine sounds alot smoother, it made no difference to the power steering. I think changing the fluid first is the right thing to do, then the pump itself, which looks scary!
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Hello,
I have the same problem, the power steering is heavy at idle and can stall the car if I am not too careful. I've changed the oil and filter on my car myself, with the correct grade of oil on a car with FSH and while the engine sounds alot smoother, it made no difference to the power steering. I think changing the fluid first is the right thing to do, then the pump itself, which looks scary!
Thre's no connection what-so-ever between an engine oil change & power steering assistance.
Changing a power steering pump really isn't difficult, there are only 3 bolts holding in place ..... fair enough, you do need to remove other stuff to get to the pump's bolts. ;)
as above, fill in your profile & someone willing to help will live nearby-ish :y :y
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I used to take my cars to Autocraft in Cemetery Lane in Houghton Regis.
I don't think they had any special insights into the Omega but they do know how to use Tech2 :y
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hi there,
change the engine oil and filter - thats what cured the ''stiffness'' in mine :y
What`s that got to do with the power steering :-? :-?
Return of Rusty? :o :o
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who or what is rusty?
ill check all the wishbones etc anyways due to the wandering and tyre wear then start to look at other possibilities if it is the pump then that doesnt exactly sound scary dudes!
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the condition of the PAS fluid may give an indication of the problem. It should be clear. If its cloudy its either very old and needs replacing or the pump is knackered - this can make the fluid cloudy (for reasons I dont know).
On my TVR I recently had a pump failure diagnosed, but the fluid was very cloudy. Changed it for fresh, things improved. Ran it for a few weeks then changed again. Problem solved. PAS now works, fluid is clear. Might be worth a try before resorting to new parts ?
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who or what is rusty?
ill check all the wishbones etc anyways due to the wandering and tyre wear then start to look at other possibilities if it is the pump then that doesnt exactly sound scary dudes!
Sorry mate an x-member who returned and was always giving crap/incorrect advice ;)
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When in the process of replacing my power steering pump I undid the top screw (the one going to the power steering reservoir and pulled the pipe off), it released a massive amount of air.
Possibly it was air locked causing the power steering to be heavy at idle, I went ahead and replaced the pump anyway but it might be worth you trying that to see if that does anything.
My power steering became heavy after doing a doughnut on a car park, obviously the revs where high and I probably burn't out the pump if that's possible.
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Just to let you all know that i have checked my wishbones and the front and rear bushes are well donald ducked! there is noticable slop in the lower ball joint! so i am presuming this is the cause! i will let you know when i have changed these to let you know the result! - bye the by the pas fluid is all nice and red and clear so it looks fresh.
thanks guys