Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 August 2011, 20:14:25

Title: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 August 2011, 20:14:25
Ok,

This is going to take a bit of explaining, so here is a bit of background  :-/

I've had a number of Omegas in the past - firstly as new company cars from '94 upto '01. Then a couple of years of private ownership to '03 and more recently from '09 to date.

All bar one of the company cars were replaced after just a few months use   :o (Vauxhall Fleet). I then took a '99 2.5 Elite from new to 60k and then bought a '98 MV6 which I took from 50k to 95k.

I returned to Omega ownership in '09 with a '98 2.5 CD estate which I chopped in for a '99 3.0 Elite which I still have.

That's the background - now for the problem .....

Without exception, all of the cars with higher miles (say above 50k) have suffered with the same problem. Steering vibration verging on wobble at anything above about 40mph.

Ok, on the basis that this has affected 4 vehicles over a period of perhaps 10 years I can't just be imagining it can I? Its not balancing/tracking as I've had all that on them all. Why didn't the lower mile cars do it?

It's an annoying niggle really.

Does anyone else have the same problem?

Could there be wear somewhere, if so "where"?

So, that's it. Don't know what to do next, can it be fixed, or is it just me? I'd like to get it fixed if possible.

Please discuss ..........

Rob
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: Andy B on 30 August 2011, 20:17:46
Quote
....
Without exception, all of the cars with higher miles (say above 50k) have suffered with the same problem. Steering vibration verging on wobble at anything above about 40mph. .....


Please discuss ..........

Rob

Mine doesn't & there's more than 3 times that mileage on my car.  :-/ :-/

runout on front discs?
wheel balancing?
wishbone bushes?
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: henryd on 30 August 2011, 20:20:59
Wishbone bushes fubar most likely.
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 August 2011, 20:21:42
Quote
Quote
....
Without exception, all of the cars with higher miles (say above 50k) have suffered with the same problem. Steering vibration verging on wobble at anything above about 40mph. .....


Please discuss ..........

Rob

Mine doesn't & there's more than 3 times that mileage on my car.  :-/ :-/

runout on front discs?
wheel balancing?
wishbone bushes?

Either all checked on the older previous cars or recently replaced on current one.  :(

Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: Terbs on 30 August 2011, 20:22:45
98k on mine and never has had a wobble. :y
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 August 2011, 20:23:53
Quote
Wishbone bushes fubar most likely.

Replaced less than 2k ago with Lemforders. Am a bit reluctant to change them on a whim. How much work to Polybush them?
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 30 August 2011, 20:43:29
Quote
Ok,

This is going to take a bit of explaining, so here is a bit of background  :-/

I've had a number of Omegas in the past - firstly as new company cars from '94 upto '01. Then a couple of years of private ownership to '03 and more recently from '09 to date.

All bar one of the company cars were replaced after just a few months use   :o (Vauxhall Fleet). I then took a '99 2.5 Elite from new to 60k and then bought a '98 MV6 which I took from 50k to 95k.

I returned to Omega ownership in '09 with a '98 2.5 CD estate which I chopped in for a '99 3.0 Elite which I still have.

That's the background - now for the problem .....

Without exception, all of the cars with higher miles (say above 50k) have suffered with the same problem. Steering vibration verging on wobble at anything above about 40mph.

Ok, on the basis that this has affected 4 vehicles over a period of perhaps 10 years I can't just be imagining it can I? Its not balancing/tracking as I've had all that on them all. Why didn't the lower mile cars do it?

It's an annoying niggle really.

Does anyone else have the same problem?

Could there be wear somewhere, if so "where"?

So, that's it. Don't know what to do next, can it be fixed, or is it just me? I'd like to get it fixed if possible.

Please discuss ..........

Rob



I've owned three Omega's. A 3.2 plod estate.......a 2.6 CD.......and a 2.6 MV6. I'm pleased to say I've never encountered this particular problem. :y


All have covered well in excess of 50,000 miles. :y
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: VXL V6 on 30 August 2011, 20:43:35
Who did the geometry when the wishbones were replaced?
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: Andy H on 30 August 2011, 20:48:39
I am convinced that front brakedisks are the cause (either caused by poor manufacture or uneven wear in use).

Soggy bushes or wear in the suspension and steering exacerbate the problem.

Each time I fitted new disks to my last Omega the problem disappeared but slowly returned as the miles racked up again. Better quality disks seemed to last longer than cheaper ones.

I fitted new disks to this Omega about 25k ago and the vibration is starting to reappear again :(
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: Lazydocker on 30 August 2011, 20:50:32
Steering idler?

Incidentally, it's not been an issue of either of mine
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: Lazydocker on 30 August 2011, 20:52:05
Tbh, 25k from a set of discs is good if they're used heavily, especially if they are pattern parts ;)
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 August 2011, 20:56:19
Quote
I am convinced that front brakedisks are the cause (either caused by poor manufacture or uneven wear in use).

Soggy bushes or wear in the suspension and steering exacerbate the problem.

Each time I fitted new disks to my last Omega the problem disappeared but slowly returned as the miles racked up again. Better quality disks seemed to last longer than cheaper ones.

I fitted new disks to this Omega about 25k ago and the vibration is starting to reappear again :(

So, you have the same/similar issue?

The discs are Vx trade club ones.
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 August 2011, 20:59:48
Quote
Who did the geometry when the wishbones were replaced?

Only had the tracking done (National Tyres) on the current car, but had a full alignment done by WIM in Chesham on the previous one.

Am getting the front shocks/springs changed at the end of the week so will have everything up front checked over whilst she is up in the air.
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 30 August 2011, 21:37:05
I would still go for wheel balance.

I find that because of how wide the Omega wheels are that most places struggle to do a good balancing job on them.

Given its happening when driving without braking I would so its got to be a rotating item (and hence why wishbone bushes, pads etc is unlikely).
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 30 August 2011, 21:43:38
Only had them done a week ago  :'(
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: TheBoy on 30 August 2011, 21:58:41
I would suggest wheel balancing.Many fast-fit type outfits really struggle to balance Omega wheels properly.  I'm not convinced its just the width, but that the Omega is quite sensitive to poor balancing.

In the case of prefacelift MV6's, the toffee wheels are also problematic ::)


My MV6, 178k on the clock, has no vibrations whatsoever, but goes to WIM for new tyres, and they have the capability for balancing high performance sports cars, so a 17" Omega wheel is easy for them.  I did get a tyre replace on TB2 via Black Circles once, using a garage in Milton Keynes - it went back 3 times to be rebalanced.
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: Andy H on 30 August 2011, 22:14:18
Quote
Quote
I am convinced that front brakedisks are the cause (either caused by poor manufacture or uneven wear in use).

Soggy bushes or wear in the suspension and steering exacerbate the problem.

Each time I fitted new disks to my last Omega the problem disappeared but slowly returned as the miles racked up again. Better quality disks seemed to last longer than cheaper ones.

I fitted new disks to this Omega about 25k ago and the vibration is starting to reappear again :(

So, you have the same/similar issue?

The discs are Vx trade club ones.

My discs are also VX trade club.

My front tyres are about 1/2 worn now so I suppose it could be a wheel/tyre balance issue.
Title: Re: Omega: Annoying characteristic/trait
Post by: MutantCav on 30 August 2011, 22:26:02
Never had this problem and I have had many many Omegas all with high miles...wheel balancing does sound possible...