Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: WINDOWMAN on 04 July 2011, 21:06:05

Title: steering gone very light
Post by: WINDOWMAN on 04 July 2011, 21:06:05

had my 2.5 v6 cd for almost a year.love it, had all the normal problems rocker gaskets coil pack , cam sensor, but this is a new one on me, steering has been a bit heavy for power steerin but not sure how light it should be on an omega, but today it suddenly went really light, as if this is how it should be,, why and is this normal... please help...also havin new wishbones fitted soon, is there anyother stuff i should have changed at same time to save time and money... hope some one can advise... paul

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Broomies Mate on 04 July 2011, 21:09:05

The Omega has Speed Sensitive PAS controlled by a Servotronic Relay.  Thats probably at fault.  Obviously check the PAS fluid level and quality as well.

While you are having the Wishbones replaced (only replace with Genuine or Lemforder, not Cheapy eBay ones) get the mechanic to check the Steering Idler, Drop Links etc.

 :y

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: WINDOWMAN on 04 July 2011, 21:16:01

thanks for quick reply.. genuine wishbones i have. should i just get the steerin idler and drop links changed anyways..can the servo relay just be replaced easily... can i do it.. etc

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: RobG on 04 July 2011, 21:21:47

Quote

thanks for quick reply.. genuine wishbones i have. should i just get the steerin idler and drop links changed anyways..can the servo relay just be replaced easily... can i do it.. etc

Yes & yes............but they`re bloody expensive from VX :o
If you wanna go down that route, got a few here ;)
Here`s the location
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1307121462

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Broomies Mate on 04 July 2011, 21:24:38

Quote

thanks for quick reply.. genuine wishbones i have. should i just get the steerin idler and drop links changed anyways..can the servo relay just be replaced easily... can i do it.. etc

I guess that all depends on how worn they are.  The droplinks are very inexpensive, and a decent Idler arm is £50 odd quid.

The relay is easy to change, and seeing as you dont mention any problems with the speedometer, I'd suggest all your ABS rings are working as they should.

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Broomies Mate on 04 July 2011, 21:27:13

Dont forget to have a full Geometry set-up done (not tracking) after the work has been done.

Also, ask the mechanic if he is aware of the specialist methods when changing the Wishbones on an Omega.  There is a very detailed guide in the Maintenance section here on how to do it properly.  :y

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1285891052

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: RobG on 04 July 2011, 21:28:23

Quote

Quote

thanks for quick reply.. genuine wishbones i have. should i just get the steerin idler and drop links changed anyways..can the servo relay just be replaced easily... can i do it.. etc

I guess that all depends on how worn they are.  The droplinks are very inexpensive, and a decent Idler arm is £50 odd quid.
The relay is easy to change, and seeing as you dont mention any problems with the speedometer, I'd suggest all your ABS rings are working as they should.

Just over £34, and genuine Lemforder. :y
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190544522578

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Broomies Mate on 04 July 2011, 21:28:57

Quote

Quote

Quote

thanks for quick reply.. genuine wishbones i have. should i just get the steerin idler and drop links changed anyways..can the servo relay just be replaced easily... can i do it.. etc

I guess that all depends on how worn they are.  The droplinks are very inexpensive, and a decent Idler arm is £50 odd quid.
The relay is easy to change, and seeing as you dont mention any problems with the speedometer, I'd suggest all your ABS rings are working as they should.

Just over £34, and genuine Lemforder. :y
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190544522578

Good call Rob!  :y

EDIT: Also, very good service from Vauxhall Parts Whorehouse.  :y

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: WINDOWMAN on 04 July 2011, 21:40:23

thanks for all the quick advise.. is it normal for the  Servotronic Relay to just start working like this.. if it is workin should i just leave it alone... everything else workin ok.. do paperclip test from time to time to check... etc

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Broomies Mate on 04 July 2011, 21:44:10

Quote

thanks for all the quick advise.. is it normal for the  Servotronic Relay to just start working like this.. if it is workin should i just leave it alone... everything else workin ok.. do paperclip test from time to time to check... etc

The relay tends to be relatively bullet-proof, hence second hand purchases are usually a safe-bet.

PM RobG, he has some and will flog you one for a lot less than Vx.  It's only a 15 minute job to replace.
 :y

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Lazydocker on 04 July 2011, 21:44:49

Only comment I would make is that Lemforder wishbones are expensive for the service they provide... Recently there have been 2 honest members who have only had about a year and sub 10k from them ;)

I would suggest fitting poly bushes to your current ones if the ball joint and rear bushes are OK. If they aren't then get some cheap ones and fit poly bushes to the front before fitting (which will cost about the same as a pair of Lemforder ones ;)) :y

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: WINDOWMAN on 04 July 2011, 21:52:22

got genuine vx wishbones already to be fitted... thanks for all the good advice as always

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Lazydocker on 04 July 2011, 22:12:14

Quote

got genuine vx wishbones already to be fitted... thanks for all the good advice as always

You must have taken out a new mortgage! :o :o

But that's the best option :y :y

I'd suggest refurbing the old ones (if genuine VX) with polybushes for the next change :y :y

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: WINDOWMAN on 15 July 2011, 17:36:30

just had new wishbones (genuine ones) drop links and steering idler fitted, i supplied the parts garaged fitted for £80.. drives like a new car now... can anyone use the old wishbones...no longer pulls to the left.. not sure if i need traching done etc.. thanks for all the advice ..

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Entwood on 15 July 2011, 18:54:13

Quote

just had new wishbones (genuine ones) drop links and steering idler fitted, i supplied the parts garaged fitted for £80.. drives like a new car now... can anyone use the old wishbones...no longer pulls to the left.. not sure if i need traching done etc.. thanks for all the advice ..

As you have changed wishbones you need a good deal more than "tracking" .. you need a FULL geometry setup done ... especially a camber check or your tyres will be useless in a few thousand miles.

Wheels in Motion - Chesham - are easily the best .. but they have franchises around the country .. mention OOF and you might get a discount .. you certainly will at Chesham .. but not all franchises give it.

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: N61AOP on 19 July 2011, 13:23:27

Entwood - living in North Wiltshire have you ever used the franchise in Melksham? If so are they good?

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: WINDOWMAN on 19 July 2011, 19:13:35

geometry setup now done... £48 ..what a bargain.. car drives like a dream..its like a different car...think might need new exhaust next... where should i get this from ...

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: Entwood on 19 July 2011, 20:15:23

Quote

Entwood - living in North Wiltshire have you ever used the franchise in Melksham? If so are they good?

Sorry no .. I've always taken the day out to drive to Chesham.  :)

Title: Re: steering gone very light
Post by: WINDOWMAN on 20 July 2011, 16:46:47

how much do they charge then