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[Mondialmike]

Just taken delivery of my Omega MV6 2002 and rather disturbed with the very soft suspension. The car has only done 42K and full Vaux history. I'm having to make constant small steering adjustments to compensate from the pitch/yaw as the car repsonds to differing road surfaces. My local garage says the suspension may have 'gone soft' and I should replace the struts, thats OK but amongst the cars history/receipts I found a comment 'secured steering box' crikey :-/.

Q. Has anyone else experienced this? Can't find any previous posts.
Q. Is there someone in the club who is a suspension/steering guru who can advice?

Any advice greatfully received..

Call if you prefer: 07977 071610 (I live in eastcote, Nr A40M)

[hotel21]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Sounds like your alignment may be a bit off.  How do the tyres wear?  Inner or outer edges, front or rear?  Your symptoms are kinda like bump steer or tramlining.  Former is having to correct steering after lifting or landing over a bump, latter is where the front wheels take direction from white lines on the road, tar banding or lorry wear grooves and again, you have to correct the steering.

You may well benefit from a full geometry check, not just front wheel alignment.  Have a look at the tyre wear and post back, then someone will no doubt advise further.    

[Mondialmike]

I've checked the tyres and apart form there being 3 diffierent makes of tyre  :-[there is no evidence of anything untowards, however, according to the receipts I have they've all been replaced in the last year having done no more than 4K miles.
The symptoms are as you say so I'll take my car to wheels-in-motion and see what they can find. I'm used to a very tight and firm suspension setup on my old 2L vectra and i was hoping an Omega would be the same or better.

Another thing I noticed this evening, if you press down on the bonnet the suspension compresses very easily & you can literally sway the car by hand :-? My vectra was a stiff as a board.

Mike.

[hotel21]

Vectra - v - Omega.  Bear in mind that FWD and RWD have inherantly different suspension characteristics.  FWD needs to be stiffer to reduce wheel tramp as a result of weight transfer whilst RWD, especially in a car weighing nearly 2 tonnes, needs to be slightly sofetr in comparison.

I have regularly driven assorted heavy RWD saloons and estates over the years (original Senator, later Senator, various Beemers, Ford Granadas, 4x4 Sierras etc as well as Range Rovers, Explorers and other Tonka Trucks ) through work and all need a degree of setting up to get the best out of them prior to negotiating a corner at speed, particularly the Rangeys.

Tyre wear - WIM is a good option after confirming bushings etc are all good.  

[iggy21uk]

Wise move going to WIM. Best to make an appointment - tell him your a member of this forum I think you will get a capped price [ not 100% sure on that]

PS.  Please update your profile with more info.

[JamesV6CDX]

Vectra - v - Omega.  Bear in mind that FWD and RWD have inherantly different suspension characteristics.  FWD needs to be stiffer to reduce wheel tramp as a result of weight transfer whilst RWD, especially in a car weighing nearly 2 tonnes, needs to be slightly sofetr in comparison.

I have regularly driven assorted heavy RWD saloons and estates over the years (original Senator, later Senator, various Beemers, Ford Granadas, 4x4 Sierras etc as well as Range Rovers, Explorers and other Tonka Trucks ) through work and all need a degree of setting up to get the best out of them prior to negotiating a corner at speed, particularly the Rangeys.

Tyre wear - WIM is a good option after confirming bushings etc are all good.  

Rangey - corner - speed.... I wouldn't associate all these words in the same sentance

My old Range Rover V8 LSE.. while a lovely machine, you did not want to negotiate a corner quickly!

I agree with what said, first check all bushes, shocks, springs etc, and then off for full alignment.

[Mondialmike]

Ok thanks guys. I've updated my profile and booked a session with Wim for 2pm today. Point taken wrt FWD Vs RWD but in terms of steering feedback this car feels like my old 1970 Jag Sovereign used too... a bit loose.

I'll keep you all posted with progress later.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Tony will spot anything out of the norm.....when everything is set right the steering feedback is good and it will out handle your old Vectra.

[Mondialmike]

Well what can I say.. Thanks.. Tony, at WIM, spent over an hour setting the steering geometry as it was out Toe & camber both front & back, not much but all needed adjustment. The car feels much better. I still can't stop smiling at getting this car for £3300 on an 02 plate with its low miles & history.. Lucky for me the guy was emmigrating to Crete on 1st Oct so he had to sell.

Mike

[Dazzler]

Glad its sorted and you like it

[Nickbat]

Glad you got it sorted, Mike. Sounds like you got yourself a bargain there. Post some pics in the gallery when you get time.

BTW Welcome to the forum.  

[TheBoy]

Glad its sorted

As others have said, if you come from a FWD to a RWD, it will initially feel too soft and wallowy - FWD need to be rock hard to get any form of traction and in corner control.

I think you will find the MV6, now properly aligned, to handle incredibly well once you get used to setting the car up for corners