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[Steveplumb]

2003 Omega estate 2.2
Hi all. I initially had problems with the car pulling slightly left on braking , garage diagnosed a sticking caliper. ...L&R calipers and pads replaced. discs are quite new, swinging arms replaced a year ago . New tyres just fitted. pulling to the left is better but its still weird feeling when braking gently, and sometimes a slight pull ; could be either way. it been in to garage and all joints tested on shaker plates . Nothing suspect found.
Any ideas what check I ought to do next ....

[dave the builder]

Have you replaced the inner and outer track rod ends and centre tie bar and pitman arm    or are they all original ?
a combination of slight wear on these components together adds up
have you had a full wheel alignment check 

 

[Steveplumb]

Pretty sure still original.   I have had tracking done, they said it was 'out' and corrected it.

[johnnydog]

Although replacement wishbones were fitted only a year ago, if they were cheapies, such as ATP, then the rubber bushes can fail prematurely and give those symptoms when braking i.e. steering pulling to the left or right depending on which side is failing.

[TheBoy]

You need to go around the bushes and balljoints with a pry to find the play...

[TheBoy]

Also, dont discount broken springs etc

[Steveplumb]

Thanks all ..... I have had a look at arm bushes and trailing left seems rather soft and a bit bulging at the bottom . Also a significant groan noise when braking has stopped now I have sprayed it with silicone spray ( which I did to identify if it was the culprit)
Are single bushes normally replaced or is a new complete arm the best option?
This is a surprise if correct diagnosis as mileage is only a few k a year.

[TheBoy]

If they were crap wishbones such as those supplied by ATP, its to be expected.

Given that a significant part of the expenditure of replacing the wishbones is in the geometry checks afterwards, crap wishbones are a bit of a false economy, particularly when the GM ones can be refurbed so easily with a poly front bush and genuine GM rear bush (and the ball joints rarely fail unless the boot splits).

[polilara]

I remember something like this, after having installed cheap wishbones pretty soon when braking, the car was moving to one direction and steering wheel was turnining to opposite direction, rear bush of one wishbone was really loose or broken.

[Doctor Gollum]

Also, poor geometry will cause all sorts of randomness. Especially if new arms were fitted and the front wishbone bolts were tightened without the car on the ground.