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[IanM]

Recently aquired car, 65k miles and MOT advisory of slight play on front wishbone bushes and inner edges of tyres, so seems a good time to replace the wisbones. Got a pair from Vauxparts, what's the expecetd life of their ones?
Also can't see a bracket for the headlamp leveling sensor, does this attach to wishbone?
Lots of talk about getting the camber correct, understand the need for this, but how do you adjust it?
Having done the deed, can anyone recommend a good wheel alignment merchant in Essex?
Any help appreciated as I haven't got a manual as yet, but the 'how to' guides are vey helpful.

[hotel21]

Hi Ian.  Glad you found the site.
Pattern wishbones are thought to last a lot less than original VX, possibly only a year or two, but given the cost differential and the relative ease of fitting, its cheaper and easier to use pattern.  They are much of a muchness between sellers/brands.

wishbone howtoo - http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152986949

The auto headlamp adjuster is a little plastic arm affixed between the lower suspension arm and the chassis leg on, I think, the nearside.  The arm is about 2 inches or so long.

After fitting new suspension arms, it should really get a full geometry check done.  The front struts are adjustable via the two mounting bolts at the bottom.

The following place - wheels in motion - is strongly recommended and you are not too far away from there, unlike me!

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/

Best of luck.    

[DaveL]

Welcome to the forum Ian. As Bruce has already said the wishbones are easy to change, unlike some other cars I could mention. Worth doing yourself and saving a bob or two.

The 'How to guide', imho, are a lot better than the usuall book of lies. Mainly because they are done/carried out by ourselves and you can usually ask 'an expert' direct if you are having problems. Not much good when you are on your own with a book.

The DVD on cam belt change is also a good thing, I am lead to believe, and that will also save you some money when needed.
 8-)
DaveL

[Tafty]

Welcome to the forum Ian. As Bruce has already said the wishbones are easy to change, unlike some other cars I could mention. Worth doing yourself and saving a bob or two.

The 'How to guide', imho, are a lot better than the usuall book of lies. Mainly because they are done/carried out by ourselves and you can usually ask 'an expert' direct if you are having problems. Not much good when you are on your own with a book.

The DVD on cam belt change is also a good thing, I am lead to believe, and that will also save you some money when needed.
 8-)
DaveL

Absolutely and well said that man - DVD is excellent and detroys the myth of how complicated it's made out to be.

Oh welcome to the forum

Lee

[Essex_Andy]

I drove to Watford for Wheels in motion..very impressed and in my opinion worth the drive but I have heard various people recommend Elite on the old A13 at Rainham

[IanM]

Thanks for the advice. I found following on the web thingy; http://www.super-tyres.co.uk/supertyres.html , they seem to have suitable kit to do a full check. Also looked at Elite, but no details on what they use. Might try the Maldon one.

[Weds]

Having done the deed, can anyone recommend a good wheel alignment merchant in Essex?

Not sure where in Essex you are but I use these guys,

http://www.elitedirect.com/

Excellent service on both of my Omega's

[TheBoy]

I know its a few miles for you, but Wheels-In-Motion in Hemel Hempstead (Herts) is highly recommended by me personally. http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk

[Marks DTM Calib]

And as a temporary measure, set the front camber to as vertical as you can so as not to chew the inside edges of the tyres.

[JasonH]

I've replaced my wishbones twice and very carefully left the strut attached to the hub so I didn't muck the camber up.

Both times when the full geometry was done the camber was still spot on - just needed to adjust the toe.

That was with pattern wishbones from two different suppliers.

[Kevin Wood]

I've replaced my wishbones twice and very carefully left the strut attached to the hub so I didn't muck the camber up.

Both times when the full geometry was done the camber was still spot on - just needed to adjust the toe.

I guess you were lucky. A few mm of tolerance between the wishbones would have put it out, and on pattern parts I wouldn't be surprised if there's some variation between them. Also, if the suspension has been adjusted with old, sagging bushes in, and then they have been replaced, it may need re-adjusting.

Kevin

[Dazzler]

I've replaced my wishbones twice and very carefully left the strut attached to the hub so I didn't muck the camber up.

Both times when the full geometry was done the camber was still spot on - just needed to adjust the toe.

I guess you were lucky. A few mm of tolerance between the wishbones would have put it out, and on pattern parts I wouldn't be surprised if there's some variation between them. Also, if the suspension has been adjusted with old, sagging bushes in, and then they have been replaced, it may need re-adjusting.

Kevin

Quite agree

[IanM]

All done now, only real hassle was getting rear nearside bolt in! Other side just vitually fell in. Had full set up done at Supertyres in Maldon Essex, they have links to TVR, Lexus and other owners clubs. Seemed to do a very comprehensive job. Cambers were  -2.10 left and -2.10 right, now set to -1.45 left and 1.35 right. Could get any less on left as it maxed out. Rear toe in, thrust angles also adjusted as well as toe in at front. Car steers a straight line hands off - when you finda a bit of flat road! Steering wheel dead centre, feel improved and tye noise noticably down. Parting comment from the man was if 'bring it back for a check if you feel anythings not right or if it settles'. £89 quid and they stayed on after their closing time to finish the job.

[Dazzler]

How much is Wheels in motions capped rate then??

[wheels-inmotion]

All done now, only real hassle was getting rear nearside bolt in! Other side just vitually fell in. Had full set up done at Supertyres in Maldon Essex, they have links to TVR, Lexus and other owners clubs. Seemed to do a very comprehensive job. Cambers were  -2.10 left and -2.10 right, now set to -1.45 left and 1.35 right. Could get any less on left as it maxed out. Rear toe in, thrust angles also adjusted as well as toe in at front. Car steers a straight line hands off - when you finda a bit of flat road! Steering wheel dead centre, feel improved and tye noise noticably down. Parting comment from the man was if 'bring it back for a check if you feel anythings not right or if it settles'. £89 quid and they stayed on after their closing time to finish the job.

Sorry but i'm not entirely happy. S-T Malden are "top dog" so i'm not attempting to belittle their workmanship but!
The final -1.45 and -1.35 is too deep. I also struggle to accept the adjusters were "maxed out" since the adjustment range on the Omega is so vast.
Can i also ask how much fuel you had at the time of calibration?