Topic: Steering wobble and pull to left. (Read 3644 times)

zoltron · « **on:** 23 November 2006, 23:52:29 »

Up until recently I've had many months of trouble free motoring, I had the geometry adjusted last month without problems, however since then I have noticed a wobble from the steering wheel when hitting potholes or when driving on uneven roads, the car also wants to pull to the left under braking, anyone have any idea if this is normal behaviour as now the steering wheel since the geometry alterations does seem alot lighter, and if not where is the best place to look for a problem. I'm thinking the pull to the left may be a problem with the brake pads which I'm getting changed when I get time

Cheers....

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 November 2006, 09:15:43 »

Sounds more likely that the geometry might not be correct, who did it and do you have the printed results?

I might be able to make something of it but, Tony from WIM sometimes pops over and I am sure he can advise.

zoltron · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 November 2006, 19:17:56 »

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1155844632/17#17

these are the before and after results I had previously posted here, I do remember tony replying later on in the thread but he didn't see anything wrong.

TheBoy · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 November 2006, 19:38:22 »

need to check for wear in steering components and suspension then. Favourites are steering idler, wishbone bushes.

zoltron · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 November 2006, 19:56:36 »

wishbones were changed earlier this year, but not the steering idler, where is this steering idler located and what should I look for?

TheBoy · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 November 2006, 19:58:29 »

passenger side, where track rod attaches to centre rod, there is a steering idler arm that attaches to chassis and allows it to pivot

Pride and Joy · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 November 2006, 08:07:38 »

hi guys - back on after pc problems!! I'm haveing the same sort of problems car seems to have a mind of its own on roads with odd cambers etc - car seems to sort of crab. Can the geometry be done at local Kwik Fit, or that sort of place or has it got to go to the dreaded VXH dealership?

JasonH · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 November 2006, 11:21:43 »

Geometry on an Omega really shouldn't be done at any Kwik Fit type place - they don't have the knowledge or equipment. Vx dealer's often don't have the right equipment either. You need a specialist or a crash repair centre.

Before you get it adjusted I'd get your wishbones checked. They fail and give the symptoms you describe.

Hillper · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 November 2006, 11:27:34 »

I think everyone goes through this at some time during the ownership of an Omega!

The odd feeling on uneven roads is common. It's called 'tramlining'. Feels like the wheels are stuck in a tram line.

Affected by steering and wheel geometry, worn wheel/steering/suspension components, tyre type and condition!

Geometry has to be set up by someone who knows what they're doing. The Omega's suspension has multiple adjustments (despite what Kwikfit or a dealer may tell you) and present multiple opportunities for mis-adjustment.

I had mine done twice at two different, so called 4 wheel geometry specialists and twice, they got it wrong.

Tony in Watford is you best bet.

TheBoy · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 November 2006, 18:39:32 »

Quote

Tony in Watford is you best bet.

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk - he has a good forum, and site is a mine of useful info

wheels-inmotion · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 November 2006, 19:56:19 »

I am quite worried! Initial question is why if you had trouble fee motoring did you have the Geometry measured and adjusted? That answer aside i can assure you the complaint is not Geometrical, more likely mechanical component wear.

The wobble on a bump (depending on duration) reads like under-active dampers unable to suppress the coils release or re-coil.
More worrying is the pull... Logic suggests if a reaction is born from the action then that is the area to addressed. By braking all wear will be realised from the vehicles inertia, this is normal assuming the bushings are evenly worn and compliant to design limitations.

A simple test for you.... (Please ensure the test area is safe) .... Cruse at 20mph and (DAB) the brake? If the car snaps to one side or you feel a thump at the steering wheel/ brake pedal then the rear wishbone bushings are worn violating the castor angle permitting the wheel to steer.

That test did not address possible brake issues though? So... First look at the front discs... What color are they?.. If one is bluish then you have a binding brake.... Next, Is the brake peddle harder than previously? The pedal pressure is another sign of a binding caliper....

Lastly.. If the brakes are an issue then there is a (cold) period when the brakes work as designed, as the bind captures the disc unwanted friction will deliver all manor of complaints.... How does your car drive in the initial (cold) period?

STMO123 · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 November 2006, 20:40:00 »

WIM. You have this uncanny knack of killing threads stone dead.

I'm sure there must be people out there who can keep up with you, but not many

TheBoy · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 November 2006, 21:07:47 »

Quote

WIM. You have this uncanny knack of killing threads stone dead.

I'm sure there must be people out there who can keep up with you, but not many

WIM has confirmed its a wear type issue, rather than a geometry issue. Personally, I'd look for play in all components, but I like WIM's idea of pinpointing by how car reacts to different forces. If only I could grasp how 'non adjustables' on Omega (castor, KPI etc) are adjusted...

wheels-inmotion · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 November 2006, 21:45:53 »

Quote

WIM. You have this uncanny knack of killing threads stone dead.

I'm sure there must be people out there who can keep up with you, but not many

Sorry! but the post is quite serious and i need to cover as much testing ground as possible for the poster...... And indeed the observer if the information is deemed valuable..

Please don't think of me as the 'Executioner'.... Expansion of knowledge is why we are all here, wim is not finite to say the least.

STMO123 · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 November 2006, 21:48:39 »

Quote

Quote
WIM. You have this uncanny knack of killing threads stone dead.

I'm sure there must be people out there who can keep up with you, but not many

Sorry! but the post is quite serious and i need to cover as much testing ground as possible for the poster...... And indeed the observer if the information is deemed valuable..

Please don't think of me as the 'Executioner'.... Expansion of knowledge is why we are all here, wim is not finite to say the least.

There you go again

TheBoy · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 November 2006, 21:51:25 »

Quote

wim is not finite to say the least.

Maybe not, but you'll know more on the subject than I ever will

STMO123 · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 November 2006, 21:53:59 »

Seriously, I had no idea before joining this forum that geometry was such an involving subject (why would I?) I find it rather disconcerting that if my geometry ever needs attention, I will HAVE to drive a long way to have it done correctly. Omega owners are like that

TheBoy · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 November 2006, 21:57:39 »

Quote

Seriously, I had no idea before joining this forum that geometry was such an involving subject (why would I?) I find it rather disconcerting that if my geometry ever needs attention, I will HAVE to drive a long way to have it done correctly. Omega owners are like that

I too was a bit naive on geometry, and kept taking car to local tyre place to overcome wandering/pulling/uneven wear.

Then I found WIM's website. Its a complex read (well I thought it was), but its a complex subject, far more complex than I ever imagined... ...there are still parts I do not fully understand, which is in itself frustrating.

wheels-inmotion · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 November 2006, 22:14:49 »

There is no need to understand it in it's entirety... The wim site is divided between basic and theoretical allowing the adventurous to delve as deep as necessary.....

In truth Geometry is a mere scratch in the overall package of chassis dynamics. Expanding on theoretical dynamics would serve little value to this club so please understand the overall picture is much wider than the wim frame. although it is interesting

zoltron · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 November 2006, 23:25:25 »

Sorry I haven't posted for a few day been away at work..

I had the wishbones changed in july this year after failing the MOT due to worn bushes, I then changed the rear shocks in september and at this point I decided that because I had work carried out on the suspension it would be best it I got the geometry adjusted. Its only been since the geometry was adjusted the problems have become more noticable, being a logical guy I put it down to the steering being much lighter as it used to be very heavy before. Although the geometry is now true, I suspect some sort of failure in a suspension component but the question is which part? I can't find and problem with the wishbones (both bushes both sides and balljoint look fine) and steering idler looks okay, my suspicion is the springs as the car has now done almost 104000 miles and 100000 miles seems to be about the correct time for failure. i'm going to do the tests that tony suggested weather permitting. When I describe the pull to the left it seems to be more noticable when braking its not so much of a pull but its as if its easier to steer to the left, not sure if this is a fault but it could be related to the camber on the road. It just doesn't seem right.

STMO123 · « **Reply #20 on:** 28 November 2006, 12:41:49 »

Quote

Sorry I haven't posted for a few day been away at work..

I had the wishbones changed in july this year after failing the MOT due to worn bushes, I then changed the rear shocks in september and at this point I decided that because I had work carried out on the suspension it would be best it I got the geometry adjusted. Its only been since the geometry was adjusted the problems have become more noticable, being a logical guy I put it down to the steering being much lighter as it used to be very heavy before. Although the geometry is now true, I suspect some sort of failure in a suspension component but the question is which part? I can't find and problem with the wishbones (both bushes both sides and balljoint look fine) and steering idler looks okay, my suspicion is the springs as the car has now done almost 104000 miles and 100000 miles seems to be about the correct time for failure. i'm going to do the tests that tony suggested weather permitting. When I describe the pull to the left it seems to be more noticable when braking its not so much of a pull but its as if its easier to steer to the left, not sure if this is a fault but it could be related to the camber on the road. It just doesn't seem right.

If it doesn't FEEL right, then it probably isn't.

EddieX · « **Reply #21 on:** 28 November 2006, 20:06:46 »

My experience - The front tyres were a missmatched pair with the offside one worn on inside and outside edges.
Before fitting new tyres, I had a full alignment done by a friend who works at a Subaru dealer. With their 4 wheel drive, they must be even more sensitive to mis-alignment than an Omega.
It felt better to start with but slowly got more ' Bumpsteery ' on country lanes over the following weeks. Then I had a new pair of tyres fitted (Falken) and the car is fine now.

JasonH · « **Reply #22 on:** 30 November 2006, 20:59:40 »

That's interesting. I've just swapped my front and rear tyres and have picked up a wobble and vibration.

I think I'll start with a wheel balance. I can't see any play in any suspension or steering parts.

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Author Topic: Steering wobble and pull to left. (Read 3644 times)

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