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[Omega-Galaxy]

Hi All,

Recently my Omega developed some noise and a bit of a judder at speed. I took it to a garage who said that it is the diff and that its okay to drive and put up with the noise. However the next day it swerved unexpectedly and I had to grapple with the steering. This was quite unnerving. It also stated to wheel spin at junctions and up hill. I limped it home.
It almost felt as if one wheel was not working all the time.
I suspect the diff has died.
Wondering if this is the end of the road for the beast.
If I did source a diff second hand how do I know which is compatible. I have a 2.2 DTI Estate. Are there differences between saloon and estate?
Seen a few on ebay but from different engine sizes etc. Some seem expensive even second hand.
Any thoughts or help appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

[zirk]

TBH it takes a lot to kill a diff, well normal every day driving anyway, they normally start to whine and or clonk a long time before giving up the ghost.

lift up the back of the car, or each side in turn if you cant lift the whole rear end, and turn each rear wheel in turn a see whats going on, each wheel should be able to turn by hand even with the other side on the ground.

End of the day, its not the end of the world if it is the diff, not too bad of a job, if going for a second diff from an Omega try and get the correct diff ratio for your car. 

Edit, to answer your other question, theres no difference between saloon and estate, but they do vary across the Engine and Gearbox Range, with diesels normally being unique to diesels.   

[alank46]

I have a diff available in mid-Devon, maybe not too far from you.  Its from a 3L so not the same ratio as original, but if you are trying to fix it cheaply that probably does not matter.
£20 collected.  Was working fine, only took it out to replace with an LSD.

[05omegav6]

Hi All,

Recently my Omega developed some noise and a bit of a judder at speed. I took it to a garage who said that it is the diff and that its okay to drive and put up with the noise. However the next day it swerved unexpectedly and I had to grapple with the steering. This was quite unnerving. It also stated to wheel spin at junctions and up hill. I limped it home.
It almost felt as if one wheel was not working all the time.
I suspect the diff has died.
Wondering if this is the end of the road for the beast.
If I did source a diff second hand how do I know which is compatible. I have a 2.2 DTI Estate. Are there differences between saloon and estate?
Seen a few on ebay but from different engine sizes etc. Some seem expensive even second hand.
Any thoughts or help appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

I'd be looking at tyres first tbh

Does the DTI have traction control? If so, sticky rear caliper/badly worn pads would upset the car as you swerve...

[TheBoy]

Does the DTI have traction control?

Only V6 have TC on Omegas.

[VXL V6]

Does the DTI have traction control?

Only V6 have TC on Omegas.

Actually, you'd be surprised how easy it is to drift the back end when 'on the turbo' on a 2.2 DTi that's running well.... but any other time nah!
 

[05omegav6]

Does the DTI have traction control?

Only V6 have TC on Omegas.

Actually, you'd be surprised how easy it is to drift the back end when 'on the turbo' on a 2.2 DTi that's running well.... but any other time nah!

Tyres and suspension then, including diff mounts...

[Omegatoy]

think i would check the handbrake shoes first!!

thats the exact symptoms of shoes fell off the backing plate and jamming against the drum!!

[Nick W]

think i would check the handbrake shoes first!!

thats the exact symptoms of shoes fell off the backing plate and jamming against the drum!!

Gets my vote. And £20 worth of handbrake shoes is a much better solution than a replacement diff.

[VXL V6]

think i would check the handbrake shoes first!!

thats the exact symptoms of shoes fell off the backing plate and jamming against the drum!!

Gets my vote. And £20 worth of handbrake shoes is a much better solution than a replacement diff.

Just don't go to a dealer for the shoes!!! IIRC Halfords used to stock Ferrodo ones for the Ascona which were identical to the Omega ones and given it's just a handbrake for holding the car when you park it, it's not worth spending a fortune.

[Omega-Galaxy]

Hi Everyone,

Thank for all the help.

I think you might be right with the handbrake shoes.

Jacked up the diff sounds okay and spins fine.

Going to get the handbrake shoes looked at on Friday.

Let you know outcome.

Cheers

Alan

[Omegatoy]

if you had it jacked up you were halfway to checking the shoes!!

[Nick W]

Hi Everyone,

Thank for all the help.

I think you might be right with the handbrake shoes.

Jacked up the diff sounds okay and spins fine.

Going to get the handbrake shoes looked at on Friday.

Drive it around the block a couple of times. If one of the wheels is much hotter than the other then it's a brake problem. You'll be able to feel the difference, but using an infra-red thermometer is safer!

[tommycon]

The diff broke on my 3L years ago .
The symptoms started as a faint clicking/knocking sound abit like a stone stuck it the tyre tread.
The noise got louder and i noticed the car wouldnt move unless driven ( wouldn`t roll up or down slope/hill)
When jacked up none or the wheels would rotate by hand.
Removed the diff and found the CV shaft was stuck in so had to buy a driveshaft aswell.
Replacing the diff wasn`t the hardest job in the world  but the torx bolts holding the CV to the hub were very corroded.