Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: terry paget on 17 August 2019, 08:34:00

Title: 2006 Astra passed MOT, new track rods fine
Post by: terry paget on 17 August 2019, 08:34:00
Yesterday DS06 passed its MOT, with no more advisories about worn track rods.
However, joy was restrained  by an entirely new (to me)  advisory, both rear suspension arm bushes worn. Haynes warns that changing these bushes require several special Vauxhall tools and is best left to a Vauxhall dealer.
Title: Re: 2006 Astra passed MOT, new track rods fine
Post by: Nick W on 17 August 2019, 08:57:20
If the special Vx tool is anything like the Omega rear wheel bearing one, they'll be big, expensive, complicated and time consuming to use.


A quick Google for the bush shows that a common bush tool won't work due to the offset hole, but that isn't too hard to work around as this LINK  (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Vauxhall-Astra-H-Mk5-Rear-Axle-Trailing-Bush-Removal-Install-Puller-tool-/254162544401)shows.


I could make such a tool, but for £45 would just buy one.



Title: Re: 2006 Astra passed MOT, new track rods fine
Post by: TheBoy on 17 August 2019, 09:10:36
Or find a local garage, and let them do it.  That's what I did when a rear bearing went on the XJ.  The £50 labour was cheaper than the tools I'd need to get and likely never use again.
Title: Re: 2006 Astra passed MOT, new track rods fine
Post by: Nick W on 17 August 2019, 09:50:07
That's why I like cheap generic tools (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23Pc-Front-Wheel-Drive-Bearing-Puller-Removal-Installation-Tool-Kit-Set/391780069549?epid=24029950216&hash=item5b37e970ad:g:UtwAAOSw~bFWMyBT) as they can be readily modified - this was bought for my rear wheel bearing but has done others bearings and bushes as bought, and with some extra parts, things like Omega front wishbone bushes:


(https://www.dropbox.com/s/pe1p0mqrpvvldov/BearingPullerSet%20%287%29.jpg?raw=1)


the silver parts I turned, and the studding is ordinary M10 from B&Q. Add a welder and you cobble together all sorts of ugly but effective tools, like my hub extractor.


Looking at these photos again, I wouldn't buy the Astra tool because the spacer for the eccentric could be quickly made from some plate using a grinder and files.
Title: Re: 2006 Astra passed MOT, new track rods fine
Post by: dave the builder on 17 August 2019, 13:38:23
congratulations on the pass Terry  :)
I've never has the axle bushes wear to flag an advisory  :-\
I'd check them before buying anything, It's not the first time that an MOT tester has mis diagnosed or put advisories to get work  :-X
rear shocks and broken springs are common and cause rear rattle
you'd need to support both sides on axle stands under the brackets that hold the bushes,so that the rear beam can hang free  :y

IF the bushes are worn then just buy the tool that Nick kindly linked  :)
though the MOT manual states that bush wear for a 12mm bolt can be a couple of mm  ::)
a common MOT mistake  ::)