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[Omega 37]

I have replaced steering idler on passenger side, drop links, wishbones with gm parts. A trip to wim & damm car still wont go in a straight line.
I have been looking for more bits to replace & noticed a steering idler thing on the drivers side with a huge plastic cap on it!!!!!
Could that be worn, the car was banged on that wheel caus the tyre was damaged & steeering wheel was wonky when i bought the car.
cheers
Paul

[RobG]

Pitman arm on driver`s side, very rarely known to fail

[Omega 37]

Thanks, could it fail if the wheel whacked a kerb?

[Kneepad]

I have replaced steering idler on passenger side, drop links, wishbones with gm parts. A trip to wim & damm car still wont go in a straight line.
I have been looking for more bits to replace & noticed a steering idler thing on the drivers side with a huge plastic cap on it!!!!!
Could that be worn, the car was banged on that wheel caus the tyre was damaged & steeering wheel was wonky when i bought the car.
cheers
Paul

Have you tried another wheel (spare) ?    Clarify what you mean by wonky steering wheel.   :-?

[RobG]

Depends on the impact, but unlikely. Checking for play is the same as the check done on the idler arm

[Omega 37]

The steering wheel was about 30 deg clockwise when driving in a straight line and there was a small tear in the drivers side front tyres side wall.

[Kneepad]

The steering wheel was about 30 deg clockwise when driving in a straight line and there was a small tear in the drivers side front tyres side wall.

Was the steering wheel centred after your trip to WIM ?   I hardly think driving against the kerb would'nt damage the Pitman arm unless at speed . It could easily damage the rim that's why I asked if you had tried another wheel.

What did WIM say about the wonky steering wheel ?

[Omega 37]

I had them aligned at a place in northampton the wheel was only about 5 deg out after that.
I then replaced the idler because it was clonking when I drove over speed bumps.
Also done the wishbones etc so had to do the tracking again. Wheel still in the same position after wim visit.
cheers
Paul

[Kneepad]

You can pop the steering wheel off and align again with the wheels straight ahead. Also check that the retaining nut is torqued down properly.

I would also check the condition of the brake discs and pads, if there is any binding this will affect your steering.

[Kevin Wood]

You can pop the steering wheel off and align again with the wheels straight ahead. Also check that the retaining nut is torqued down properly.

I would also check the condition of the brake discs and pads, if there is any binding this will affect your steering.

This is a very bad idea on an Omega. The pitman arm must be straight ahead when the steering wheel is straight ahead otherwise the steering geometry will be all wrong and the internal damping in the steering box will be nonexistant around the straight ahead position.

In fact, it would be worthwhile checking that such a bodge hasn't been carried out in the past.

Kevin

[Omega 37]

yes maybe that could be the prob.
front GM discs & pads were also done at same time as the suspension bits.
steering wheel points slightly to the right but car pulls to the left & follows the camber of the road too much. Felt better after wim visit but getting worse every day. wim visit was only 3 weeks ago. now nearly back to where I was b4 wim visit...... help 

[des.allen]

Have you done all the suspension work since you had the alignment done?

[Kneepad]

You can pop the steering wheel off and align again with the wheels straight ahead. Also check that the retaining nut is torqued down properly.

I would also check the condition of the brake discs and pads, if there is any binding this will affect your steering.

This is a very bad idea on an Omega. The pitman arm must be straight ahead when the steering wheel is straight ahead otherwise the steering geometry will be all wrong and the internal damping in the steering box will be nonexistant around the straight ahead position.

In fact, it would be worthwhile checking that such a bodge hasn't been carried out in the past.

Kevin

Thanks for the correction Kevin,  I am struggling to come up with ideas. I also suspected that something had been done prior to Omega37 getting this car.
I don't understand why WIM did'nt correct  this.

[Omega 37]

suspension work was done after the first alignment. after it was done took the car to wim.
shame love the car but want it to go in a straight line!!!

[Omega 37]

I don't understand why WIM did'nt correct  this.
neither can I!
car cost £1600 spent that again trying to get it to go in a straight line & it still wont