1
Omega General Help / Omega Elite
« on: 04 March 2020, 13:19:35 »
Hi Omega owners anyone bidding or been to check out the Omega Elite on Ebay seems to be creating quite a bit of interest and is up to 2k+ so far.
- 19 April 2024, 08:45:54
- Welcome, Guest
News:
Welcome to OOF
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
2
Omega General Help / Re: Strange sreering behaviour
« on: 20 January 2020, 10:15:26 »Wasnt didsel or spillage ...
Its happened in various corner various speed over last few weeks .. but only slightly
This time was scary. As if car steering did something completely different to what i was doing.
The back end did not move. Was front ..
Throttle wasnt changed neither was steering input.
Smooth corner steady speed all of a sudden frotn of car pull in tight to corner very quickly so i had to steer other way ..
Felt like wheel camber chamged or soemthing.
Going to check ball joint. And wishbone bushes but cant see it as all new in past 12months.
If was dangerous
Hi Laney seems you might have the twin sister of my car, so far I have replaced front wisbones, changed tyres, replaced ball joints, replaced idler arm, had tracking checked, and still has a mind of its own. At first it feels like it is pulling to nearside but I have noticed it depends on the road and will drive straight on a flat surface it seems that any imperfection in the road will make it dive into nearside or offside needing instant correction it is as you say not very reassuring. The big difference is yours is while cornering whereas my is more when trying to keep in a straight line, my evil twin seems ok in the corners. Hope you find the problem as at the moment it is baffling me.
3
Omega General Help / Re: Front tie rod
« on: 20 January 2020, 10:07:57 »Yes it's the bush I was meaning anyway. I think he has 3 listed and at good price .
Not able to find a genuine one on ebay. Lemforder but not GM I am probably not using the best search terms? if you can stick the link up please
4
Omega General Help / Re: Front tie rod
« on: 17 January 2020, 19:50:27 »
Having had a good look at the Idler arm I am wondering why oem ones are so bad is it just crap materials or badly fitting ie not made to the right measurements.
5
Omega General Help / Re: Front tie rod
« on: 17 January 2020, 19:46:19 »just to clarify.
the ball joints on the centre drag link are not the same as the other 4 balljoints in that they do not have any (if not minor) angular deviation only rotation.i assume this is what you mean ?
therefore not actually faulty
Bad news that Cam.in.head I was hoping I had found the culprit (centre link balljoints) i do not think it is the idler arm either because it is just the same with the new one and their is no play in it. Mot coming up so I might get some clues from that it is a shame as it is running really well but driving any distance is hard work as it requires concentration to keep it in a straight line.
One good thing is it is economical as I dont like to go above 50mph getting 35 mpg according to the inst consumption gauge not bad for an auto.
6
Omega General Help / Re: Front tie rod
« on: 15 January 2020, 20:48:42 »
Its a Borg and Beck idler arm. I am hoping that it is the centre tie rod that has been the problem all along just about replaced everything else now so must be getting near to the problem. Makes sense as I could not find any slack anywhere in the front end yet the beast just would not steer in a straight line if the centre tie rod ball-joints are supposed to move freely (which again makes sense) mine is knackered. What problems do you get with non GM idler arms? would have thought they are a fairly simple part to manufacture and Borg and Beck have been around for donkeys years (although they may be owned by sport direct along with every other 'branded name' these days).
Anyways thanks for the info will get a new centre tie rod and keep my fingers crossed that I have finally found the culprit.
Anyways thanks for the info will get a new centre tie rod and keep my fingers crossed that I have finally found the culprit.
7
Omega General Help / Front tie rod
« on: 15 January 2020, 19:08:16 »
Anyone removed one of these recently : https://www.vauxhall-car-parts.co.uk/acatalog/VAUXHALL_OMEGA_CENTRE_STEERING_TIE_ROD_-_90510648N.html
Still having steering issues and noticed when I replaced my idler arm the ball joint in the centre tie rod had very little (if any) movement. With the nut on and a spanner it would move a tad but only a tad couple of mm maybe just wondered if it is normal for them to be pretty tight b*****ds.
Still having steering issues and noticed when I replaced my idler arm the ball joint in the centre tie rod had very little (if any) movement. With the nut on and a spanner it would move a tad but only a tad couple of mm maybe just wondered if it is normal for them to be pretty tight b*****ds.
8
Omega General Help / Re: Wandering Omega
« on: 22 October 2019, 17:32:53 »
Update for members looking to diy the suspension.
All track rods were seized despite several days soaking with penetrating spray, so removal of all, then lay them on the vise and give them a good but careful whacking with the hammer to free them off works as good as heat imho (experience of early Japanese motorbikes taught me how to free of most items) then clean grease and reassemble no point replacing them as they are all in good order.
Couple of ball joint boots got damaged so replaced them. Those clips are fun if you ever take a ball joint cover off to replace try and save the original clips if possible as the ones in the kit are brutal
little one fits ok but getting the big one over is a ******** and I surrendered and used the original ones which were still good.
I suspect my car has had replacements fairly recently or the liberal undersealing has kept them in good order.
Then using Terry's method and some you-tube videos and a lot of jacking up down and careful adjustment it is now driving straight as an arrow and has stopped tram-lining which was the worst problem anyway.
It will not be doing any hard or even moderate cornering although it feels fairly good on the bends for a big lump, I get my kicks when needed in the Ford Puma which you can drive like you stole it, out corner most things on four wheels, and still get 40mpg. Or if I really want some adrenaline I will take the rf900 out for a blast (dont get 40 mpg out of that though
) This year it has not even got out of the garage. (to many toys to little time) Getting old and starting to have far to many sensible moments, time to buy a c90 
Thanks to all for the input many great opinions.
All track rods were seized despite several days soaking with penetrating spray, so removal of all, then lay them on the vise and give them a good but careful whacking with the hammer to free them off works as good as heat imho (experience of early Japanese motorbikes taught me how to free of most items) then clean grease and reassemble no point replacing them as they are all in good order.
Couple of ball joint boots got damaged so replaced them. Those clips are fun if you ever take a ball joint cover off to replace try and save the original clips if possible as the ones in the kit are brutal
little one fits ok but getting the big one over is a ******** and I surrendered and used the original ones which were still good.I suspect my car has had replacements fairly recently or the liberal undersealing has kept them in good order.
Then using Terry's method and some you-tube videos and a lot of jacking up down and careful adjustment it is now driving straight as an arrow and has stopped tram-lining which was the worst problem anyway.
It will not be doing any hard or even moderate cornering although it feels fairly good on the bends for a big lump, I get my kicks when needed in the Ford Puma which you can drive like you stole it, out corner most things on four wheels, and still get 40mpg. Or if I really want some adrenaline I will take the rf900 out for a blast (dont get 40 mpg out of that though
) This year it has not even got out of the garage. (to many toys to little time) Getting old and starting to have far to many sensible moments, time to buy a c90 Thanks to all for the input many great opinions.
9
Omega General Help / Re: Recommendation for geometry set-up Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire/Norfolk Border
« on: 04 October 2019, 21:19:43 »Give EMG at Spalding a call , I'm pretty certain they did the set up on my Hyundai & I never had any problems with them.01775 715875
10
Omega General Help / Re: 2,0 stumbles
« on: 03 October 2019, 13:32:22 »i have the same issue on my car. It,s a 2.2l 16v year 2000. whre is that sensor loacated and where on this site could i buy it ? . I will hook up odb2 of cousre. tha car also has a clutch issue and cambelt replacement is overdue. which could cause the same problem i understand. there is also an iducation of mechanicla issues with the clutch as well audible signs that i could find a real mess when i remove the gearbox to swap out he clutch. But exactly where are these parts sold by Omega Owners members. I recently voughht the car and has to limp it home 280km running like a pice of crap and crunching through the gears. It was a only 250 gpb though...I checked the ebay one quoted and it does not fit the 2.2 16v according to the ebay filter. Like me MCU you probably thought you were buying a bargain although I paid a bit more for mine.
I hope you can get it sorted it is for me a case of how much I can or want to spend on a vehicle, good thing about my purchase is it is in stunning condition bodywise and engine and gearbox seem excellent so far too just steering issues to get on top off.
11
Omega General Help / Rear tie rod ball joint removal recommended tool.
« on: 03 October 2019, 10:54:23 »
Hello and good morning Omegians.
Had a go at moving the rear tie rod adjusters with no luck so thought best to remove and throw in a tank of diesel for a day or two and use the vice to free them up.
Ball joints all look good so dont want to wreck the rubbers removing them with the pickle fork, which I hardly ever use anyway as a good whack with a lump hammer mostly pops them out.
However this one is hard to get a swing at, so I was thinking of purchasing one of the myriad of ball joint removal tools available has anyone found one particularly suitable for the rear tie rods that does not damage the boots. Or maybe another method.
Had a go at moving the rear tie rod adjusters with no luck so thought best to remove and throw in a tank of diesel for a day or two and use the vice to free them up.
Ball joints all look good so dont want to wreck the rubbers removing them with the pickle fork, which I hardly ever use anyway as a good whack with a lump hammer mostly pops them out.
However this one is hard to get a swing at, so I was thinking of purchasing one of the myriad of ball joint removal tools available has anyone found one particularly suitable for the rear tie rods that does not damage the boots. Or maybe another method.
12
Omega General Help / Re: Recommendation for geometry set-up Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire/Norfolk Border
« on: 03 October 2019, 10:41:12 »Witham Essex too far ?
Bit to far but thanks for the thought anyway comrade.
13
Omega General Help / Re: Recommendation for geometry set-up Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire/Norfolk Border
« on: 03 October 2019, 10:40:09 »Orbit tyres RushdenThanks Big Griffin 100 mile round trip though for me hoping to find someone closer if I do take the plunge, never had much faith in the local mob of kwik fitters and the like.
https://www.orbittyres.com/
Tell them what settings you need, make sure you un-seize all the rear adjusters, and fit new track-rods to the front, if you want to go all out, new rear do-nuts and front top mounts.
A 100 mile trip in an omega is just a stroll, take the wife and drop her at the shopping centre.
That is true Big G, but after a lifetime of motorway work I try my hardest to keep miles to a minimum these days. If I feel like having a drive (which is rare these days, a bit like lots of things at my age
) I take other more sporty options out of the garage
14
Omega General Help / Re: Wandering Omega
« on: 03 October 2019, 10:34:20 »Castor, camber, and rear end settings are all relevant, but the important setting is toe-in. I have run 6 Omegas/Senators for 15 years with none of your problems, and never been to a wheel alignment shop. Here is how I set my toe-in. Members here do not approve, but I have never had a structural failure. Ensure that the car is safe to go beneath to adjust the track rods.
1. Fit new track rods, or at least ensure yours are easily adjusted.
2. Jack up each front wheel in turn, and support the wheel end of the wishbone on an axle stand, with the wheel just off the ground.
3. Set the steering wheel central, with the long spoke horizontal.
4. Support a plank or other straight edge against and about half way up front and rear wheels on one side. Adjust the track rod that side so that the plank touches both wheels in 2 places .Clamp adjuster securely.
5. Repeat on other side.
6. Jack up again, remove axle stands, Job done. Test drive.
You have given me a glimmer of hope terry.
15
Omega General Help / Re: Access to Wishbone bolt drivers side.
« on: 02 October 2019, 15:02:25 »Thanks for that. I take it that the pinch bolt is a Vauxhall Dealer only. Did a search online but couldn't find any.Looked at new ball joints and the majority don't come with the bolt? Found that lemforder supply a M12 bolt, so I assume that is the pinchbolt? Could I just buy two M12 part threaded high tensile 8.8 bolts with lock nuts, if so how long is the bolt?It is an important part so I would replace with new if in any doubt but if it has no wear, meaning bolt is same diameter all the way along then it should be ok to use it does stop the ball joint from popping out so not any fun for anyone if that happens
Thanks again
Addy
the wishbone pinch bolt engages in a groove on the balljoint pin. That is true of most of this design, and fitting a standard bolt doesn't do it. Which often results in the weight of the car pushing the joint apart. The bolt will be a Vx only part, so it needs a critical inspection before you reuse it. On older Fords, I always bought a new pinch bolt with the wishbone as a matter of course; Omega ones don't seem to be as prone to damage