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[James Morgan]

Hi all,
I've just bought a 2001 2.2 CD and am very happy with it, however... I'd noticed that the steering wheel was pointing slightly over to the right when travelling in a straight line on the motorway, and the right front tyre was slightly worn on the inside edge. So I took it to a geometry setting specialist to have the tracking looked at, I went to Discount Tyres in Cwmbran - South Wales (as recommended by Wheels-in-motion through your site) who did a very thorough check.

They told me that the problem is the camber of the front left wheel was completely out, and it is none adjustable and was caused by hitting a pothole. Is this correct? Should i take it to vauxhall for another opinion? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated as I'm really enjoying the car and would hate to have to get rid of it. I would post the report but I can't see how to show images in the post.

[feeutfo]

No, and no! Camber is adjustable, vauxhall don't know thier arse from thier elbow.

They talking rubbish, unless something is bent after hitting a pot hole and theirs no adjustment left.

You say wim recomended this place?

[TheBoy]

Omega has quite a wide front camber adjustment, but no direct rear camber adjustment (its a compromise with toe at rear).

It would have to massively bent for the front not to be adjustable in spec.

Send a PM to wheels-inmotion here or to Tony on www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/forum - I'm sure he'll want to know if places he is recommending are talking rubbish. Although there may be reasons why yours cannot be adjusted...

[feeutfo]

Oh, and welcome btw.

[James Morgan]

Thank you, I'll send him a mail now, I've got the report in front of me now and it's actually the 'caster' that seems to be out but they definitely told me it was the camber. Can anyone recommend a specialist in the South Wales area for any adjustments that might be necessary?

Yes I got the place for the WIM website, they were great but very rushed as it was 4pm on a saturday and they clearly wanted t oshut up shop and go home!

[TheBoy]

Thank you, I'll send him a mail now, I've got the report in front of me now and it's actually the 'caster' that seems to be out but they definitely told me it was the camber. Can anyone recommend a specialist in the South Wales area for any adjustments that might be necessary?

Yes I got the place for the WIM website, they were great but very rushed as it was 4pm on a saturday and they clearly wanted t oshut up shop and go home!

As implied, WIM pride themselves on service. If one of the outlets they recommend/franchise out to are damaging that brand, I'm sure wheels-inmotion would want to know...  ...even if its just to give that place extra advice/training/knowledge

[feeutfo]

Caster is adjustable, but not officially, by moving the subframe. There is huge tolerance in the sub frame holes, which vx pay no attention to at the factory. They just fire the bolts in on the production line and send it.
 It does lengthen set up time to adjust, which might enplane it. Nout to do with hitting pot holes though.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Caster is adjustable, but not officially, by moving the subframe. There is huge tolerance in the sub frame holes, which vx pay no attention to at the factory. They just fire the bolts in on the production line and send it. It does lengthen set up time to adjust, which might enplane it. Nout to do with hitting pot holes though.

Interestingly, thats true of the first six months of production and did they have issues!. I remember well every new Omega going off for full geo and haveing the subframes moved to correct it.

I do know that the setup was then tightened at the factory with a specific jig being used to get it 'better'. 

[James Morgan]

Well I spoke to Tony at WIM this morning, emailed over the geometry report and he reckons he can adjust it all to his own spec, so i'll drive it over there on Friday. I'm just going to get my mechanic to check over it first and make sure that the wishbone bushes, steering idler and rear coils are ok (common problems according to Tony) first. Then hopefully he can sort it from there!

Thanks for all your help everyone! I'll let you know if it fixes it!

[HockeyDave55]

Has anybody used Eibach camber bolts? I got a set because my car was eating tyres inner edges, tracking good but the camber was so far over that when I got the MV6 wheels, the tyres were just touching the struts! Should be fitting them this week....

[feeutfo]

Get him to understand these first. Bushes are hard to spot visually. They should be very firm.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90492.0

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90658.0

[tgm147]

Has anybody used Eibach camber bolts? I got a set because my car was eating tyres inner edges, tracking good but the camber was so far over that when I got the MV6 wheels, the tyres were just touching the struts! Should be fitting them this week....

Let me know how you get on with these. I've got some but not fitted them yet.

[feeutfo]

Has anybody used Eibach camber bolts? I got a set because my car was eating tyres inner edges, tracking good but the camber was so far over that when I got the MV6 wheels, the tyres were just touching the struts! Should be fitting them this week....

camber bolts are only needed where there is not enough camber adjustment. You have the exact opposite problem of too much camber. Probably not been set at all and happens to be set to maximum. Lowering increases the camber range making the problem worse re tyre wear, and highlights the need for "full geometric set up" for castor, camber and toe at the front, and camber which affects toe at the back.
Only use wheels in motion or thier affiliates. They know better than the factory settings which are hopeless.

Sell your camber bolts and put the cash towards set up costs at Wim.

[feeutfo]

Has anybody used Eibach camber bolts? I got a set because my car was eating tyres inner edges, tracking good but the camber was so far over that when I got the MV6 wheels, the tyres were just touching the struts! Should be fitting them this week....

Let me know how you get on with these. I've got some but not fitted them yet.

not needed on the omega, as above.