Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[berserkerboy]

Hi folks

Have noticed the steering is getting a bit wobbly at times. It doesn't seem to be a speed related issue. I'm thinking it's probably the wishbones from what I have read on the forum. Is there any way to test or view whether this is the problem?
Also if this is the case and I attempt the change myself is there other parts I should renew whilst I'm there?

Thanks

[chrisgixer]

Random steering wheel wobble kicked off by bumps or a touch in the brakes? Front wishbone bushes. Although the rearward bush likely buggered as well.

Other parts, could check the drop links and change those while your there but I wouldn't change them unless they where knocking personally. They don't affect handling or set up so up to you.

Obviously check steering idler for vertical play, steering ball joints and shocks and springs for leaks and breakages too. Good time to check wheel bearings, although less critical for set up after.

If fitting oe type wishbones with rubber bushes, be sure to torque up the front bolts with the wheels at the normal ride height/wheels loaded. Not wheels hanging, car jacked up in the air.

[Tony H]

Random steering wheel wobble kicked off by bumps or a touch in the brakes? Front wishbone bushes. Although the rearward bush likely buggered as well.

Other parts, could check the drop links and change those while your there but I wouldn't change them unless they where knocking personally. They don't affect handling or set up so up to you.

Obviously check steering idler for vertical play, steering ball joints and shocks and springs for leaks and breakages too. Good time to check wheel bearings, although less critical for set up after.

If fitting oe type wishbones with rubber bushes, be sure to torque up the front bolts with the wheels at the normal ride height/wheels loaded. Not wheels hanging, car jacked up in the air.

Sorry slight thread hi jack are the can the ball joints be replaced without renewing the wishbones?

[05omegav6]

In theory yes Tony, but they're a bugger to drill if attached to the car that said, I use a grinder now to lop the heads off the rivets... sooo much more gratifying than breaking forty drill bits

[chrisgixer]

Shit of a job.

 Either remove the steering knuckle to get access from above, in which case toy may as well remove the wishbones anyway, I guess.

Or get the car high enough to get at the rivets from underneath.


They are rock hard those rivets, and exceptionally tight in the holes. Even ones the heads of the rivets are removed by either drilling or grinding, they are still a shit to knock out.

Its hard enough with the bones removed.


I guess you might have more luck with the car on a two post lift, purely for access.

[Tony H]

I intend to poly bush the "bones" so they will have to come off  anyway so am I best to get new ones and if so which are the best ones to get bearing in mind budget is a major consideration?

[chrisgixer]

I intend to poly bush the "bones" so they will have to come off  anyway so am I best to get new ones and if so which are the best ones to get bearing in mind budget is a major consideration?

If removing, refurbing is cheapest long term IMO.

Polys of ebay. Or where ever is cheapest. £?
Rearward bush from gm £14 iirc
Ball joints Allgerman. £?

[05omegav6]

I intend to poly bush the "bones" so they will have to come off  anyway so am I best to get new ones and if so which are the best ones to get bearing in mind budget is a major consideration?

Here you go...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WISHBONE-SUSPENSION-ARMS-SET-KIT-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-B-NEW-/380944560518?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AVauxhall&hash=item58b210b186

[steve6367]

Are they good to use as is? Or just to put poly in?

[05omegav6]

If your budget is very tight, fit as is, and collect bits as you go to refurbish the old ones

Basic cost...
Those ones I linked to... £80-100
Alignment at WIM... circa £80-90

Plus...
Polybushes, including antiroll bar ones £78
Rear vertical bushes from VX £30 ish
Ball joints, any pattern, as once changed they're a doddle to replace when they fail, £30-35.

So you're looking at £180 ish to change them, plus a further £140 to refurbish them.

I would expect those cheapy ones to last 20k, and once refurbished, somewhere between 40-60k

[steve6367]

Thank you, that's really useful - I think I need to tackle this on the 2.2.

Best supplier of the poly?

Steve

[05omegav6]

Thank you, that's really useful - I think I need to tackle this on the 2.2.

Best supplier of the poly?

Steve

Powerflex shop around, but expect to pay £47 for the front bushes and £26 is for the ARB ones