Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: car-nut on 24 May 2011, 13:26:40

Title: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 24 May 2011, 13:26:40
I have just been to ATS where a trusted friend of mine works as I decided against Kwik Fit which most people know why I didn't go to kwik fit.

I have been told my steering idler has completely had it! Which is causing my car to tram line. I believe this as the idler is listed as the ONLY advisory on my car's last MOT.

Also been told that the underneath is quite corroded, but I looked while it was on the ramps and don't agree as if they had seen the underneath of my Galaxy I think they would have said it was ROT  ;D

Where can I get a good cheap idler for my car? And is there anyone near me who would be able to fit it cheap for me please?

Cheers.
 :)
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: Jimbob on 24 May 2011, 13:32:33
is the part you want, cheaper aint worth buying.

a lot more from Vaux.  many of us use these, lemforder, and spot on for quality
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: alank46 on 24 May 2011, 14:21:01
Hi
The link appears to be missing.  I think it should be:-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170642074659&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Alan
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: Jimbob on 24 May 2011, 14:35:18
Quote
Hi
The link appears to be missing.  I think it should be:-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170642074659&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Alan

yup thats the one cheers  :y
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 24 May 2011, 14:46:04
Thanks for the link.
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 24 May 2011, 14:50:30
I have also found this idler! Or should I stick to higher price to be safe?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-CARLTON-OMEGA-STEERING-IDLER-ARM-NEW-/190468888824?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c58d498f8#ht_1168wt_905
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: Jimbob on 24 May 2011, 14:52:06
Quote
I have also found this idler! Or should I stick to higher price to be safe?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-CARLTON-OMEGA-STEERING-IDLER-ARM-NEW-/190468888824?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c58d498f8#ht_1168wt_905


Its made of plastacine, dont waste your money  :y
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 24 May 2011, 18:12:39
Eurocarparts have also got the idler but they have got a double pack and by that I mean for £45 you get the idler and pitman arm. Is it worth me changing the pitman arm at the same time?
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: RobG on 24 May 2011, 18:13:33
Quote
Eurocarparts have also got the idler but they have got a double pack and by that I mean for £45 you get the idler and pitman arm. Is it worth me changing the pitman arm at the same time?
Nope, very rarely fail
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: lee4206 on 24 May 2011, 19:50:02
Quote
Eurocarparts have also got the idler but they have got a double pack and by that I mean for £45 you get the idler and pitman arm. Is it worth me changing the pitman arm at the same time?

The last steering idler I got from euro carpets was worse than the cheapy one from eBay so be carefull.
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 24 May 2011, 20:04:15
Right, my mind is made up, I am buying the idler from the ebay link in this post and leaving the pitman arm well alone. Thanks for all the advice.  :)
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: Jimbob on 24 May 2011, 20:54:16
Quote
Right, my mind is made up, I am buying the idler from the ebay link in this post and leaving the pitman arm well alone. Thanks for all the advice.  :)
:y
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 12 June 2011, 18:02:46
I am soooooooo annoyed and confused.

I am annoyed cos we could get the idler separated from the steering componants. We tried all the tricks stated on here, so the idler was re connected to the car and am now ordering a ball joint splitter for £9.90 on ebay, and then going at it next Sunday afternoon.

We was going to get the heating thing done today too but it is tipping it down with rain.

I am also confused cos we both pulled poked and prodded all joints under the car including the idler and there wasn't any play in it! So am confused!!

(http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m624/crowej1/Omega/12062011609blankreg.jpg)

Or does anyone know where to buy a good splitter cheaper?
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: bootie on 12 June 2011, 18:36:03
Nice to have a spanner helper! :y
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: Broomies Mate on 12 June 2011, 18:40:24
You wont be able to exert the same forces as a 2tonne car, even if you are built like Geoff Capes.
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: mark.adams on 12 June 2011, 20:13:32
Well there's your problem, it's obvious now, you have a small child wedged under the front of your car. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 12 June 2011, 21:40:17
I have now ordered a joint splutter from Ebay. But am now biting my nails and can't wait for next weekend to come so I can get that part of the car done!
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 12 June 2011, 21:41:15
Quote
Well there's your problem, it's obvious now, you have a small child wedged under the front of your car. ;D ;D ;D

LOL.

That's my mates son and he wants to grow up to be my mechanic  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: dbug on 12 June 2011, 23:15:59
Two hammers mate  ;)
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: Osprey on 12 June 2011, 23:33:18
Hammer and chisel method here:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1268602974

 :y
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: Jimbob on 13 June 2011, 07:07:53
iirc, you may not get a splitter in there, hence the hammer method.
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: 2woody on 13 June 2011, 16:30:53
two hammers is by far the best method. It's the shock that you're after not the weight of the blow, so use lighter hammers than you might think.
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: TheBoy on 13 June 2011, 18:46:00
You won't get a splitter in on the tie rod ball joint. Hence the guide uses hammers ;)
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: car-nut on 15 June 2011, 22:24:42
We tried the hammer method with no joy. But I came across another issue. The ball joint on the middle metal arm thing has a tiny bit of play but play enough to be to just touch it to make it move. It moves less than 1mm either side. Could this be the actual cause of my tramlining?

I am very close to getting rid of this Omega now and am already half heartedly looking at other cars.
Title: Re: Steering Idler Help Needed Please??? I am begging
Post by: Broomies Mate on 15 June 2011, 22:29:13
Quote
We tried the hammer method with no joy. But I came across another issue. The ball joint on the middle metal arm thing has a tiny bit of play but play enough to be to just touch it to make it move. It moves less than 1mm either side. Could this be the actual cause of my tramlining?

I am very close to getting rid of this Omega now and am already half heartedly looking at other cars.

Any joint with 'play' in it through the force caused by a Human Hand means the joint is pretty dead IME.

Think about it this way;

Force you can apply by hand = Reasonable
Force a 1.7Tonne car can apply whilst cornering at speed = Exponentially more!