Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: JezInBrum on 13 June 2011, 11:41:56

Title: Steering idler arm
Post by: JezInBrum on 13 June 2011, 11:41:56
I am about to have a go at changing mine. I looked at the how to and it seems too easy. Having the new arm i was expecting splines or at least one fixed way of lining it up correctly.
Or is the key not to move things once the joints are undone? I take it the 60nm on the shaft creates enough force/friction to prevent the arm slipping on the shaft its fixed to.
Apologies if this seems a daft question. I just dont want the car in its and me standing there like a lemon bith an even blanker expression on my face than usual.
Cheers, Jez
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: Varche on 13 June 2011, 11:51:33
Worry not, it is very easy. You need it safely up in the air. Ramps?

The only difficulty you may encounter is getting the ball joint off. I used the two hammer method in the end. My splitters seem to have gone awol. Hit each side simultaneously with a hammer. I plus gassed mine first.
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: JezInBrum on 13 June 2011, 11:58:09
Thanks for the advice.  :y
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: TheBoy on 13 June 2011, 13:01:17
Its as easy as the guide makes out. Nothing needs to line up, as it all moves anyway.  As long as replacing with right part, alignment should be fine.


Dont be put off if it takes a few goes using the hammer method to undo that awkward balljoint - it will go eventually.
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: raywilb on 13 June 2011, 13:20:08
i have a long chisel that enables me to give it a good crack ( with wheel removed ) without having to get underneath. tho the first attempt at removing one was in the region of nine hours , spaced over two days. in eight years iv,e only changed mine once. but i always have a spare just in case.
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: JezInBrum on 13 June 2011, 20:33:22
I went and bought a splitter just to be sure, not the screw type, a glorified chisel that should not slip off....hopefully. I got the arm from Euro car parts for £45, the 110mm one. Will have a go Wednesday morning before work
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: Broomies Mate on 13 June 2011, 20:34:58
Quote
I went and bought a splitter just to be sure, not the screw type, a glorified chisel that should not slip off....hopefully. I got the arm from Euro car parts for £45, the 110mm one. Will have a go Wednesday morning before work

Take it back and get the Lemforder.  I put the cheaper one on mine and it lasted 6 months.

Lemforder was £57inc VAT after I lied and told them I can get the genuine Vx one for £59 inc VAT.  :y

EDIT:  Can be found cheaper on eGay, but I needed it desperately as the crappy Idler Arm failed VERY BADLY!
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: TheBoy on 13 June 2011, 20:35:56
Quote
I went and bought a splitter just to be sure, not the screw type, a glorified chisel that should not slip off....hopefully. I got the arm from Euro car parts for £45, the 110mm one. Will have a go Wednesday morning before work
That fork type won't help - at best it will damage the rubber boots on the ball joints :(

Stick to the hammer method :y
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: JezInBrum on 15 June 2011, 19:09:17
I gave the recommended method a go today. Bloody thing would not budge. All I think thats happened is a bit more play in the joint on the tie rod that the idler arm attaches too. Got that desperate I even tried putting some heat through it. Never mind, hopefully not caused any other damage which will affect the tracking.
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: TheBoy on 15 June 2011, 20:04:11
It will go ;)
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: car-nut on 20 June 2011, 16:48:30
I have also bought the new type ball joint splitter, and reckon if it is put in at the right angle it shouldn't damage the ball joint.
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: Olympia5776 on 20 June 2011, 18:33:13
Listen to TB and use two hammers. :y
Title: Re: Steering idler arm
Post by: lee4206 on 20 June 2011, 19:43:56
Quote
]I have also bought the new type ball joint splitter, and reckon if it is put in at the right angle it shouldn't damage the ball joint[/highlight].

Its not the joint its self that gets damaged its the rubber dust boot that gets split and as from 1/1/12 split/missing dust boots will be a mot fail.