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[Migalot]

Nothing too alarming, but I've noticed that when braking from speed, the steering feels slightly wayward. In addition, I noticed recently (when stuck in traffic) that even at slow rolling speed when I lift off the brake, the steering wheel moves a degree or two to the left. If I apply the brakes again (when hardly moving at all) and lift off, it's creates a further degree or two move to the left.

Putting my thinking cap on, I wonder if it's worn-out wishbone bushes?

Anyone have any better ideas? 

[STEMO]

🔥 🔥

[dave the builder]

[TheBoy]

Jack it up and check for play in the suspension and steering components.

Or roll some of DtB's guessing dice

[Doctor Gollum]

Front wishbone horizontal bushes failed.

Classic symptoms and why you should fit poly bushes...

https://powerflexstore.co.uk/vauxhall/omega-b-1994-2003/powerflex-front-wishbone-front-bush-omega-b-1994-2003-pff80-902/

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Agreed. Polybushes are a no brainer. Which reminds me, mine are overdue a regreasing. Can wait until the weather warms up though.

[TheBoy]

Front wishbone horizontal bushes failed.

Classic symptoms and why you should fit poly bushes...

https://powerflexstore.co.uk/vauxhall/omega-b-1994-2003/powerflex-front-wishbone-front-bush-omega-b-1994-2003-pff80-902/

No, it needs a bit of diagnosis first!  It can be a million and one things, none of which can be diagnosed remotely.  Remember, we never encourage random changing of parts

I agree that front wishbone bushes are a likely candidate (but then if the fronts are shagged, the rears very likely are as well).  But it could be a lot of other times as well.  Hence it needs a poke around with a screwdriver and pry bar

[Doctor Gollum]

The symptoms are exactly the same as mine after fitting a set of defective Delphi wishbones the wheels would move over an inch within the wheel arch totally destroying the geometry and tyres in the process.

The rear bushes don't cause the same movement, and yes it makes sense to replace them at the same time (bear in mind that genuine rear bushes are significantly different in design to aftermarket ones), and there's no mention of clocking when steering which suggests the tie rods etc are serviceable.

[Migalot]

Going to show my ignorance here (as per usual).

IF it is the wishbone bushes that are gone (agree with TB's post, but my money is on this) are you saying that the existing bushes should be replaced with poly bushes, i.e. keep the old wishbones? Do they just hammer in, or is a special tool required? Is it worth getting the anti-roll bar bushes done too at the same time?

TIA 

[Doctor Gollum]

There's a guide, burn out the old ones and press what's left out and the poly bushes simply push in.

Don't undo anything else and you won't require an alignment.

If you're going to the trouble of replacing things whilst you're in there, then I would strongly recommend the ball joint, tie rods and shocks. Followed by an alignment.

But front/horizontal bushes can be done with just the wheel removed. Obviously jacked and well supported.

[Migalot]

There's a guide, burn out the old ones and press what's left out and the poly bushes simply push in.

Don't undo anything else and you won't require an alignment.

If you're going to the trouble of replacing things whilst you're in there, then I would strongly recommend the ball joint, tie rods and shocks. Followed by an alignment.

But front/horizontal bushes can be done with just the wheel removed.

Just checked. The offside wishbone was replaced in November 22. I have a new nearside wishbone in stock in my shed!

My mechanic is happy to replace all with polybushes. At the same time, one of the tie rods was seized solid last time the tracking was done two weeks ago, so worth getting them done at the same time as you suggest.

Finally, they did say that the camber is out a bit, but that involves something with fitting new bolts (??). The have a proper Hunter alignment setup, so may as well get it all done at once.

So for January:
Fit new NSF wishbone
Fit polybushes to both sides
Fit new tie rods
Camber bolts??
Tracking

[Migalot]

What size camber bolts would I need? They seem to range between 11mm and 15mm.

Would order from DG's polybush site:

https://powerflexstore.co.uk/search-results-page?q=camber%20bolts

[Doctor Gollum]

What size camber bolts would I need? They seem to range between 11mm and 15mm.

Would order from DG's polybush site:

https://powerflexstore.co.uk/search-results-page?q=camber%20bolts

Basically you don't need new camber bolts unless they're dissolved. In which case buy genuine as they're not a standard bolt iirc.

And for the love of God, don't buy wobble bolts.

Although the question should be asked as to why you would think it's a good idea to replace suspension parts individually 

Especially on an Omega where the alignment costs the thick end of £80 to do properly.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

And get them to set the geometry to WIM settings rather than standard Vauxhall settings.

[Migalot]

What size camber bolts would I need? They seem to range between 11mm and 15mm.

Would order from DG's polybush site:

https://powerflexstore.co.uk/search-results-page?q=camber%20bolts

Basically you don't need new camber bolts unless they're dissolved. In which case buy genuine as they're not a standard bolt iirc.

And for the love of God, don't buy wobble bolts.

Although the question should be asked as to why you would think it's a good idea to replace suspension parts individually 

Especially on an Omega where the alignment costs the thick end of £80 to do properly.

I thought you were advocating getting new tie rods a few posts ago???

Besides which, the the alignment was out within two weeks of setting and, on both occasions, they had a devil of a job adjusting the nearside (even with blasts of heat).

Also, the camber is definitely out and they said that the bolts are likely seized (no surprise after 21 years!) and would suggest getting new ones — sound advice.

No point in leaving the old tie rods and just replacing the bushes on the wishbones. May as well get as much as I can replaced now.