Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: moggy on 04 May 2011, 13:32:32

Title: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 04 May 2011, 13:32:32
Hi guys and girls,started to get some knocks and bumps when going over pot holes and speed humps.From the invaluable info on here i guess its wishbones,hear is what i would like to know.I took the car to the guy who does my mot, but i must add he does not know much about omegas.He said the wishbones look ok, but the drop links could do with replacing.What do you guys think shall i just replace the drop links or both.Also how much do you think it will cost to replace both,and can daz or pete whitch ever one does the job.Set up the geometry as wim is a long way from me.As always your thoughts and advice is much apreciated.Moggy :y :)PS Forgot to add tyre wear inside edge on the front :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: Jimbob on 04 May 2011, 13:39:07
drop links are the primary cause of knocks over bumps

easy enough to replace (worst case may need a hacksaw)

no need for geometry afterwards

Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: amba on 04 May 2011, 15:05:21
Do drop links first as suggested.

They are the cheapest part in the link and are normally the cause of knocking as the rubber seal gets dry of grease and the ball end just clatters around.

Simple enough to replace,although some have had issues with the nuts seizing up and requiring cutting,but never had those issuse myself.

No adjustments needed after to steering set up,so hope that solves your problems.
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 04 May 2011, 18:16:05
Thanks guys do you think it would be a good idea to ask Daz or Pete for there opinion :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: hotel21 on 04 May 2011, 18:24:33
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Thanks guys do you think it would be a good idea to ask Daz or Pete for there opinion :y

In fairness, not really.

As said, droplinks are the main culprit of clunking and knocking on potholes/undulations rather than wishbones.  This is due primarily to the construction of the links.  Its the ball/socket that wears and that is metal to metal.  as its rigidly mounted to metal at either end, the sound is readilly transmitted through the chassis.

The wishbones wear via the rubber bushes which, whilst causing suspension issues, don't generally give knocks and clunks as the parts at fault are still rubber mounted and insulated from the chassis.

Hope that makes sense....   :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 04 May 2011, 22:33:45
Thanks H21,drop links it is.Is there a guide on hear how to replace just them,and not the wishbones.Also what may be causing the inside tyre wear :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: hotel21 on 04 May 2011, 22:47:38
Wishbone and droplink guide is:-
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1285891052

Droplink part is about 9th para down.  Straightforward to do but may need hacksaw of bolts are really rusted.  Have a look at the car after reading the description and you should see whats what reasonably clearly.

Inner tyre wear will be a camber issue which is suspension arms out of alignment, either through wear (probable) or wrong adjustment if replaced recently.  Again, the above guide will show whats required, although that does concentrate on bush replacement, rather than replacement of the entire suspension arm. 

No doubt others will pitch in with ideas or pointers to other guides.   ;)
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: Stallion on 04 May 2011, 22:50:43
Quote
Thanks H21,drop links it is.Is there a guide on hear how to replace just them,and not the wishbones.Also what may be causing the inside tyre wear :y

that can be caused by tracking, if tracking is correct then worn bushes, and suspension can be culprits too  :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 04 May 2011, 23:04:52
Quote
Wishbone and droplink guide is:-
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1285891052

Droplink part is about 9th para down.  Straightforward to do but may need hacksaw of bolts are really rusted.  Have a look at the car after reading the description and you should see whats what reasonably clearly.

Inner tyre wear will be a camber issue which is suspension arms out of alignment, either through wear (probable) or wrong adjustment if replaced recently.  Again, the above guide will show whats required, although that does concentrate on bush replacement, rather than replacement of the entire suspension arm. 

No doubt others will pitch in with ideas or pointers to other guides.   ;)
H21,would you say first things first.Change droplinks and suspension arms,and go from there :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: davethediver on 04 May 2011, 23:14:53
Quote
Quote
Wishbone and droplink guide is:-
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1285891052

Droplink part is about 9th para down.  Straightforward to do but may need hacksaw of bolts are really rusted.  Have a look at the car after reading the description and you should see whats what reasonably clearly.

Inner tyre wear will be a camber issue which is suspension arms out of alignment, either through wear (probable) or wrong adjustment if replaced recently.  Again, the above guide will show whats required, although that does concentrate on bush replacement, rather than replacement of the entire suspension arm. 

No doubt others will pitch in with ideas or pointers to other guides.   ;)
H21,would you say first things first.Change droplinks and suspension arms,and go from there :y

Droplinks first see if that sorts the knocking if doing the wishbones book in for a trip to WIM or a franchise for a full geometry setup soon after (but before the new tyres) :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 04 May 2011, 23:35:05
Quote
Quote
Quote
Wishbone and droplink guide is:-
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1285891052

Droplink part is about 9th para down.  Straightforward to do but may need hacksaw of bolts are really rusted.  Have a look at the car after reading the description and you should see whats what reasonably clearly.

Inner tyre wear will be a camber issue which is suspension arms out of alignment, either through wear (probable) or wrong adjustment if replaced recently.  Again, the above guide will show whats required, although that does concentrate on bush replacement, rather than replacement of the entire suspension arm. 

No doubt others will pitch in with ideas or pointers to other guides.   ;)
H21,would you say first things first.Change droplinks and suspension arms,and go from there :y

Droplinks first see if that sorts the knocking if doing the wishbones book in for a trip to WIM or a franchise for a full geometry setup soon after (but before the new tyres) :y
Dave if i do go down the wishbone route,you say there are franchise.As wim is some distance from me, :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: davethediver on 04 May 2011, 23:40:28
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Wishbone and droplink guide is:-
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1285891052

Droplink part is about 9th para down.  Straightforward to do but may need hacksaw of bolts are really rusted.  Have a look at the car after reading the description and you should see whats what reasonably clearly.

Inner tyre wear will be a camber issue which is suspension arms out of alignment, either through wear (probable) or wrong adjustment if replaced recently.  Again, the above guide will show whats required, although that does concentrate on bush replacement, rather than replacement of the entire suspension arm. 

No doubt others will pitch in with ideas or pointers to other guides.   ;)
H21,would you say first things first.Change droplinks and suspension arms,and go from there :y

Droplinks first see if that sorts the knocking if doing the wishbones book in for a trip to WIM or a franchise for a full geometry setup soon after (but before the new tyres) :y
Dave if i do go down the wishbone route,you say there are franchise.As wim is some distance from me, :y

If you look on there website they have affiliated centres that use the same equipment and settings (and know what there doing). I personally along with several other OOF members have used Nigel Langs in Bolton :y Have a look and see which is closest to you ;)
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 05 May 2011, 00:01:36
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Quote
Quote
Quote
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Wishbone and droplink guide is:-
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1285891052

Droplink part is about 9th para down.  Straightforward to do but may need hacksaw of bolts are really rusted.  Have a look at the car after reading the description and you should see whats what reasonably clearly.

Inner tyre wear will be a camber issue which is suspension arms out of alignment, either through wear (probable) or wrong adjustment if replaced recently.  Again, the above guide will show whats required, although that does concentrate on bush replacement, rather than replacement of the entire suspension arm. 

No doubt others will pitch in with ideas or pointers to other guides.   ;)
H21,would you say first things first.Change droplinks and suspension arms,and go from there :y

Droplinks first see if that sorts the knocking if doing the wishbones book in for a trip to WIM or a franchise for a full geometry setup soon after (but before the new tyres) :y
Dave if i do go down the wishbone route,you say there are franchise.As wim is some distance from me, :y

If you look on there website they have affiliated centres that use the same equipment and settings (and know what there doing). I personally along with several other OOF members have used Nigel Langs in Bolton :y Have a look and see which is closest to you ;)
Thanks Dave does any one have a link to there web site :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: TheBoy on 05 May 2011, 08:36:24
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Quote
Thanks H21,drop links it is.Is there a guide on hear how to replace just them,and not the wishbones.Also what may be causing the inside tyre wear :y

that can be caused by tracking, if tracking is correct then worn bushes, and suspension can be culprits too  :y
If its just inner shoulder (first inch or so), then thats always camber, not tracking.  Tracking is a waste of time and money on the Omega...
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 05 May 2011, 12:45:15
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Quote
Quote
Thanks H21,drop links it is.Is there a guide on hear how to replace just them,and not the wishbones.Also what may be causing the inside tyre wear :y

that can be caused by tracking, if tracking is correct then worn bushes, and suspension can be culprits too  :y
If its just inner shoulder (first inch or so), then thats always camber, not tracking.  Tracking is a waste of time and money on the Omega...
Thanks to everyone for there advice,will get drop links changed first.If that stops the noises, i will then replace the suspension arms to correct the camber causing the tyre wear :) :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 05 May 2011, 16:27:33
Hi all,just checking i am going to order.Drop links(stabiliser links) £18.40 230M/M from micksgarage.co.uk.OE numbers,vauxhall,90334073,90445137,90468930.Is this a good price and do i order just one :-[
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: Osprey on 06 May 2011, 00:25:18
The drop links can be had for under a fver each - google for 90445137 vauxhall for a slection.  There's even somebody selling two for a fiver in the bay.   :-?

I don't think the manufacturer is too critical on these but I would go for BuyPartsBy at £6.33 + vat as a happy medium.  And, at that price, I would do both sides for peace of mind. 

Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 06 May 2011, 14:58:04
Quote
The drop links can be had for under a fver each - google for 90445137 vauxhall for a slection.  There's even somebody selling two for a fiver in the bay.   :-?

I don't think the manufacturer is too critical on these but I would go for BuyPartsBy at £6.33 + vat as a happy medium.  And, at that price, I would do both sides for peace of mind. 

Thanks Osprey,invaluable info,can you confirm there are 2 drop links on the front :-/ :-[.Moggy
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: hotel21 on 06 May 2011, 15:47:07
One either side. The link links the front strut to the end of the anti roll bar at each end, hence 2 required.  :y
Title: Re: Wishbones or drop links
Post by: moggy on 06 May 2011, 16:02:32
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One either side. The link links the front strut to the end of the anti roll bar at each end, hence 2 required.  :y
Cheers H21,is it an easy job to do.Considering i am a knob head brummy ;D ;) :y