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Author Topic: handling problems  (Read 1330 times)

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nigel c

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handling problems
« on: 18 July 2009, 20:09:30 »
Congratulations on an excellent forum, loads of info...didnt know you could get all these probs :'(
SO... I have an 02 turbo Diesel estate and for the last 6 months its been pulling to the left, I've had it checked over by a race/rally prep guy who knows his stuff and he says that the tracking is bang on. 2 degrees tow in? :-/
Then he checked all four, again bang on.
Then he measured wheel base and found the N/S 8mm shorter than the O/S? Car is clean with no impact damage/repair.
I've changed front discs, pads, no uneven wear. :)
So are there any rubber bushes etc that maybe worn and give this discrepancy?
I restore old cars ::) as a hobby :'( so I'm pretty handy but have never got underneath the omega to look/see. never needed to as both the cars I've had have been excellent :y
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Ghost

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #1 on: 18 July 2009, 20:17:29 »
Hello and Welcome.
are your tyre pressures right? might be the wishbone bushes not to sure.
others will no doubt steer you in the right direction ;D

Sorry I'll get my coat
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He who brakes Looses
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nigel c

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #2 on: 18 July 2009, 21:09:17 »
cant believe you wheeled that old one out :-[
yea all tyres A OK :y
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Lee A

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #3 on: 18 July 2009, 21:34:02 »
was the geometry checked on a proper set up or just a basic one? Mine was pulling to the left too, the rear toe was out by a bit and the osf camber was out too, its sorted now and it stopped doing it completely.

The one thing the guy said to me was if your wishbones are out (caster i think) and one is lower than the other that can pull your car to the left or right. Its not something thats adjustable as such so i understand, its from the installation of the wishbones themselves.
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Lizzie_Zoom

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #4 on: 18 July 2009, 22:47:48 »
Nigel have you checked your shocks and springs? :-?

Any flaw there can produce handling problems when braking or during general running  ;) ;)
« Last Edit: 18 July 2009, 22:48:48 by Lizzie_Zoom »
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TheBoy

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #5 on: 18 July 2009, 22:52:33 »
Quote
Congratulations on an excellent forum, loads of info...didnt know you could get all these probs :'(
SO... I have an 02 turbo Diesel estate and for the last 6 months its been pulling to the left, I've had it checked over by a race/rally prep guy who knows his stuff and he says that the tracking is bang on. 2 degrees tow in? :-/
Then he checked all four, again bang on.
Then he measured wheel base and found the N/S 8mm shorter than the O/S? Car is clean with no impact damage/repair.
I've changed front discs, pads, no uneven wear. :)
So are there any rubber bushes etc that maybe worn and give this discrepancy?
I restore old cars ::) as a hobby :'( so I'm pretty handy but have never got underneath the omega to look/see. never needed to as both the cars I've had have been excellent :y
PM user wheels-inmotion - he knows more about Omega geometry than most of us :y
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nigel c

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #6 on: 19 July 2009, 19:01:34 »
Hi Guys & gals, ;)
Well I've chucked the old car out in the thunderstorm and got the estate in the workshop. :y
jacked up and wheel off. there seems (to me anyway) a lot of play in the front rubber bush/doughnut in the bottom wishbone. I can get a lot of movement if use a gemmie (with no great pressure/effort) on the underside of the taution bar/top of the wishbone.
is this acceptable/the norm?? :-/
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wheels-inmotion

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #7 on: 19 July 2009, 20:53:11 »
In view of the wheelbase discrepancy it could be the castor angle.... Contrary to what's said this is adjustable on the Omega.
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nigel c

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #8 on: 19 July 2009, 20:55:53 »
OO Kay...how do i do/know what to do about adjusting?
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wheels-inmotion

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #9 on: 20 July 2009, 21:53:25 »
Quote
OO Kay...how do i do/know what to do about adjusting?

Can the chap you know measure the castor angle?
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Jukeboxnut

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #10 on: 20 July 2009, 22:31:51 »
I had exactly the same problem on my previous 2.0 estate pulling to the left (the n/s wheelbase was 6.0mm shorter than the o/s).

I supprted the front of the car on axle stands and there was no sign of any accident damage but it looked as if the whole subframe could be adjusted slightly.  After marking it's location on the chassis I slackened the front subframe mounting bolts and twisted the frame slightly, the mounting holes allow approximately 3-4 mm of movement each side.

Once everthing was tightened up and the car back on the ground the o/s and n/s measurements were spot on and the car never pulled to the left again.

I know this sounds a brutal bodge but the car handled fine for over 2 years after that until I was hit at a blind junction and the car written off.
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nigel c

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Re: handling problems
« Reply #11 on: 21 July 2009, 18:35:24 »
well I've bitten the bullet and jacked it, stripped the front suspenion down and replaced both bottom wishbones...they were shagged!  >:(
beat a new pair into submission and it handles a lot better. :y:D:y will get the track checked out again...oh and will measure both sides again....when it stops raining :'(
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