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[ORDERLY]

Hi Gang! I have just purchased my omega and bar a few issues it is a fine and fast car to drive however i have a issue that is more worrying,  that is when i have the engine running at idle the steering is amazingly stiff however when i rev the engine the steering becomes light - the tyres are worn on the edges could anybody help me with this - could it be a issue with the lower wishbones and bushe?

[RobG]

V6 has servotronic speed sensitive power steering, heavy at idle & lightening with engine rev increase

[RobG]

hi there,

change the engine oil and filter - thats what cured the ''stiffness'' in mine 

What`s that got to do with the power steering :-? :-?

[Andy B]

V6 has servotronic speed sensitive power steering, heavy at idle & lightening with engine rev increase

speed sensitive steering is just that, ie dependant on actual speed of the car and not engine speed related (obviously as long as the engine is running to power the pump  ).

This problem was cured on mine with another pump, but as Mark commented when he opened his old pump up, there wasn't any obvious wear inside as with mine. Perhaps a couple of power steering fluid changes might help. 

[Omegafantasy]

V6 has servotronic speed sensitive power steering, heavy at idle & lightening with engine rev increase

Shouldn't it be the other way around? Lighter when stopped/going slow and stiffening up when you're up to speed?

[Mr Skrunts]

Start with checking the tyre pressures.

Obviously the more wear there is on the front tyres that will add to heavy steering at idle.

Check for worn suspension joints as allready mentioned.

[ORDERLY]

the steering is really stiff at idle though im 19 stone and i have trouble steering at idle is that as it should be then? and soz for being thisk how does changing the engine oil and filter solve this problem? also the car wanders to the kerb if i let the steering wheel go.

[Mr Skrunts]

the steering is really stiff at idle though im 19 stone and i have trouble steering at idle is that as it should be then? and soz for being thisk how does changing the engine oil and filter solve this problem? also the car wanders to the kerb if i let the steering wheel go.

Sounds like there is something seriously worn there matey.

[Mr Skrunts]

Have a lool at the guides to check for play in your wishbones and steering etc, replace whats required and then book your self in for the wheel and geomtery alighnment.

Are you near any of these locations

http://www.blackboots.co.uk/order.php?step=5

* Banbury
* Bradford
* Doncaster
* Durham
* Grantham
* Grimsby
* Hartlepool
* Hinckley
* Hull
* Ilkeston
* Keighley
* Leeds
* Lincoln
* Mansfield
* Nottingham
* Redditch
* Scarborough
* SLady bitshorpe
* Sheffield 1
* Sheffield 2
* Stourbridge
* Swindon
* Wakefield
* York

[YZ250]

There are obviously other steering issues to cause it to wander but the stiffness sounds like a faulty steering pump if fluid level is ok. A lazy pump or slipping aux belt would just cause kick-back through the steering wheel. If the pump is failing it becomes a three man job just to park it.
Obviously the revs are helping the pump but it should be lighter at idle. :-/ :-/

[ORDERLY]

could it be the wishbones and related bushes?
what else does any one suggest?
i did think maybe pump but with increased use it very slowly starting to  get better to i am thinking more on bushes

[ORDERLY]

how muc roghly would it cost me to get the pump changed at a garage?

[Andy B]

how muc roghly would it cost me to get the pump changed at a garage?

it shouldn't take much more than an hour to do, so depends really on labour rates. But ....... if you are at all reasonably competant with sppanners you could easily do it yourself, it's really not difficult.
Post you location and I'm sure someone local would be happy to help do it for you.

[ORDERLY]

im near luton (houghton regis to be exact) i will however investigate and replace the wishbones before condeming the pump! i dont think it is the steering gear itself as it steers positive and well

[Andy B]

im near luton (houghton regis to be exact)  ......

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