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[downhuman]

Hi there

I'm posting this on behalf of my Father in-law.

He has a V6 Auto Omega and is complaining about the steering. He says the car feels disconcertingly 'disconnected' from the steering wheel, and is extremely sensitive to movements of the wheel (in an OTT way)

He's had new tyres, alignment and bushes done but is now considering selling the car as it feels so off. He only has one arm so uses a knob on the wheel so needs to feel otherwise in control

Thanks

[joshwyatt]

Where abouts is your fathers car located?
There may be some members near by who can take a look and give an accurate diagnosis. I've never really had any issues with suspension components on any of my Omega's, so I'm not in a good position to advise, but someone else will be along shortly.

[Abiton]

I'm no expert on suspension stuff, but if one or both track rod ends were in poor condition, wouldn't that explain these symptoms?  Unless those were included in your statement of bushes having been done.

[MickAP]

If it changed for the worse since having the work done then check, tyres and steering idler.

Mine had two Avons on the front that caused tramlining.
After these were replaced with a different make the car runs straight again.
Also I replaced the steering idler which again further improved the feel of the steering.

Mick

[downhuman]

Thanks guys - what does the steering idler do?

[RobG]

Thanks guys - what does the steering idler do?

Idler arm is connected to the centre tie rod on passenger side and the Pitman arm is on the driver`s side.  As your pitman arm moves, your idler arm will copy the movement like a mirror. The pitman arm is directly connected to your vehicle’s steering gear so whenever you turn your vehicle in any direction, the pitman arm will be turned by the steering gear, and the idler arm will follow.

The result from these movements is the steering linkage all turning together, and ultimately the wheels will turn as well. With both the idler arm and pitman arm producing a mirror of each other, it makes the wheels capable of moving in the same direction.

[downhuman]

Thanks guys - if this was broken then in theory the steering could be iffy, vague at one moment then hyper sensitive ?

[feeutfo]

Thanks guys - if this was broken then in theory the steering could be iffy, vague at one moment then hyper sensitive ?

yep, can do, although i've not has si fail. However i do also wonder if the work done is correct?

Who did the alignment? What was the camber set to? if merely set to factory settings then it could still be far from ideal and still be causing significant tyre wear. All these can make the car react massively to road inperfections.
 
So, questions are
What tyres?
What pressures?
What camber angle? base setting should be 1°.10
Any wheel baring play? up to .5  of a mill is ok
Any track rod end play?
Any steering idler play?
Where wishbones fitted correctly wheels loaded?
What make wishbones fitted?


And where is the car, roughly?

[alank46]

Hi
You say it had new tyres fitted and then the problem started.  Could well be the tyres, what make, size and model are they.  I had some new 225/55x16 Hancook K105's fitted and got bad tramlining until I changed them.
Alan

Hi there

I'm posting this on behalf of my Father in-law.

He has a V6 Auto Omega and is complaining about the steering. He says the car feels disconcertingly 'disconnected' from the steering wheel, and is extremely sensitive to movements of the wheel (in an OTT way)

He's had new tyres, alignment and bushes done but is now considering selling the car as it feels so off. He only has one arm so uses a knob on the wheel so needs to feel otherwise in control

Thanks

[Martin_1962]

Book it into Wheels in Motion for a proper alignment

[downhuman]

Thanks guys - if this was broken then in theory the steering could be iffy, vague at one moment then hyper sensitive ?

yep, can do, although i've not has si fail. However i do also wonder if the work done is correct?

Who did the alignment? What was the camber set to? if merely set to factory settings then it could still be far from ideal and still be causing significant tyre wear. All these can make the car react massively to road inperfections.
 
So, questions are
What tyres?
What pressures?
What camber angle? base setting should be 1°.10
Any wheel baring play? up to .5  of a mill is ok
Any track rod end play?
Any steering idler play?
Where wishbones fitted correctly wheels loaded?
What make wishbones fitted?


And where is the car, roughly?

I'll find out these bits tomorrow.

Of top of my head:

Michelin Primacy tyres
Factory pressure settings
Car is in Horsham, West Sussex

Other stuff I'll check tomorrow.

Thanks!!