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[Andy89]

Hi all
I feel that I've got a bit much play in the steering wheel on my omega
What should i be looking at?

Also got much tracking which is scary combined with the steering play, but that comes down to alignment and tires, right?

[Kevin Wood]

With the engine stopped, or with the steering even slightly off centre, it will feel like there's an awful lot of play in the steering box, and that's normal. Even in perfect condition, wheel centred and engine running, there's more play with a steering box setup than you may be used to with a rack and pinion.

Worth having a look if any of the suspension joints or the idler are to blame, though.

[TheBoy]

I think the MOT limit is 75mm, for when the engine is off.

[Kevin Wood]

I think the MOT limit is 75mm, for when the engine is off.

Agreed on the 75mm but I believe the tester's manual states that the engine must be running if there is a PAS system.

[05omegav6]

I think the MOT limit is 75mm, for when the engine is off.

75mm is alot... so yes quite sloppy, whether that is an issue for the Norwegian equivalent, who knows

[Entwood]

I think the MOT limit is 75mm, for when the engine is off.

Power steering .... engine must be running ...

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s02000201.htm

This inspection applies to all types of steering mechanism. If power steering is fitted, the engine must be running for all checks requiring steering movement. If ATL or OPTL approved, references to the assistant’s role in this section do not apply, although an NT may use an assistant to aid with the inspection of components if the NT considers it necessary. For tricycles and quadricycles with motorcycle derived steering/suspension systems, refer to Section 9.2. A. Free Play 1. With the road wheels on the ground pointing straight ahead, lightly turn the steering wheel left and right as far as possible without moving the road wheel. Check the amount of free play at the circumference of the steering wheel. Note: Play due to wear or maladjustment must not be confused with apparent play due to the construction of the mechanism, such as caused by the deflection of flexible joints or spring compression in external power steering systems. Note: The steering wheel free play limit is a general rule for standard diameter steering wheels, (380mm).  Lower or higher limits should be set with larger or smaller diameter steering wheels. 1. A point on the rim of the steering wheel moves, without the road wheels moving, for more than: a. 75mm for non rack and pinion b. 13mm for rack and pinion steering. Note: Where there are several joints between the steering wheel and the rack, movement up to 48mm on a 380mm diameter wheel may be accepted.

[TheBoy]

Ah, so 75mm with engine running, gotcha. I'd been shitting my pants if it was that bad, but I guess some don't maintain their cars.

OP is in Scandanavia, I would imagine their rules aren't going to be massively different.

[05omegav6]

Ah, so 75mm with engine running, gotcha. I'd been shitting my pants if it was that bad, but I guess some don't maintain their cars.

OP is in Scandanavia, I would imagine their rules aren't going to be massively different.

Could go either way as Norway not in the EU

[Andy89]

We might not be in the EU but our MOT is called EU-approval so we are following EU regulations

But the rules does not matter here, now.
Because of the tracking and play, the car is scary to drive, which it should not be.

When its tracking to one side, i'm having to move the steeringwheel quite a bit for me to regain control of the car (i'm changing tires before the car goes on the road again, i use low profile tyres, and i just use the car in summer)

so i'm just wondering of what to check, and how do i know if it's worn?

[Kevin Wood]

Well, firstly, worn tyres can make an Omega tramline quite badly.

Secondly, check all steering links that you can see - track rods both ends and steering idler.

Thirdly, I'd check the wishbone bushes are OK. They have a pretty short life so if they haven't been touched in a few years they are almost certainly past their best. They have to be very bad to fail an MOT here, but can cause the car to tramline badly long before that. Bottom ball joint is also a potential issue as is the top strut mounting, but they cause problems far less frequently.

Fourth, once everything above has been covered, get a proper geometry setup done and see how it drives then.

Fifth, if it's still not good, set the steering straight ahead, and, with the engine running, see how much "lost motion" there is between turning the steering wheel and the road wheel starting to move. If it's anywhere near the 75mm figure, you might be able to remove some of the play by adjusting the damper on the top of the steering box by moving it in tiny increments and re-checking play and self-centring  to ensure it's not too tight. Over-do this and you can kill the steering box  (then again, if you've proved it has unacceptable play, you might be happy with that risk).