Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Sir Tigger KC on 13 April 2014, 00:11:45
-
I had go with a pry bar around the front suspension today and there's loads of vertical play in the off side strut when I lever the roll bar against the wishbone if that makes sense. :-\
The knuts on the top of the strut are tight but it moves as if they're loose. :o This is consistent with the noises I get when the offside wheel hits a pothole or bump. :y
So is this what I need? and should I do both sides? As the near side is nice and tight! :-\
http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/steering-and-suspension/shocks-struts/lemforder-rep.-kit-suspension-strut-bearing-3137101-45745?group=84
The front wishbone bushes have a bit of play as well, but I'm not sure how much is normal. :-\
-
For what it's worth I've always been a big believer in replacing suspension bushes etc. in pairs then you're starting on a level playing field.
-
There's about 3/8" vertically give normally.
On the ground, the top mount cup sits about 3/8" OFF the inner wing. But take the weight off the whee I s and you won't get a fag paper in between them :y
-
Poly the wishbones if in doubt.
Not had a top mount fail personally. But as Al says, remember its unloaded.
And always replace in pairs. You'll need set up, which will likely need doing again when the other side fails in short order. Plus it sounds like you may need the wishbones doing anyway.
-
How old, many miles?
-
Poly the wishbones if in doubt.
Not had a top mount fail personally. But as Al says, remember its unloaded.
They don't fail so much as compress. This isn't always obvious until you have a new one of the correct height. There was a 10mm difference between my new and old ones.
-
Hmmm I thought it was strange that there was such a difference between both sides and the vertical movement in the offside strut feels abnormal. :-\
I do plan on poly bushing the front wishbone bushes, but at the moment it handles fine and noise I get is a creaking noise from the offside rather than a knocking. The amount of vertical play in the offside strut just dosn't 'feel' right to me..... ::)
It would help if I knew what I was doing! ;D
-
Poly the wishbones if in doubt.
Not had a top mount fail personally. But as Al says, remember its unloaded.
They don't fail so much as compress. This isn't always obvious until you have a new one of the correct height. There was a 10mm difference between my new and old ones.
I found that when I replaced the strut top bushes on my Senator, they do compress quite a bit.
-
Will poly monaro fit?
-
They don't fail so much as compress. This isn't always obvious until you have a new one of the correct height. There was a 10mm difference between my new and old ones.
I'd imagine though that they'd compress evenly on both sides though. :-\
As said the offside has lots of vertical movement whereas the nearside dosn't. The tyres are wearing evenly and there are no nasty handling characteristics, so I'm still trying to get my head around this to be honest and I don't want to start buying parts unless I'm sure it will solve the problem. ::)
-
Will poly monaro fit?
Never got around to obtaining a set... was going to leave it until the front shocks give up :-\
I would have thought so, but p/ns are different... might be worth obtaining either a second hand or cheap pattern Monaro one to compare dimensions with the Omega one :-\
-
Tigg, for checking purposes, car on the ground, undo the top nut, and lift off the cup.
There's another nut underneath it, so you won't release anything vital, but it will give you a clear view of the top of the bush to check for cracks as you turn it lock to lock :y
Don't jack the car without the cup fitted securely as gravity always wins and the strut will drop...
-
Thanks Al I'll have a look at that later. :y
-
I had a quick look earlier and removed the knut and cup. The knut underneath was a bit loose and I managed to tighten it a fair bit, but there's still a screechy creek noise when I go over my favourite pothole..... :-\
I couldn't really see if anything was wrong with the bush, but as said it was only a quick look, so will have to investigate further. ::)
-
Tigg, for checking purposes, car on the ground, undo the top nut, and lift off the cup.
There's another nut underneath it, so you won't release anything vital, but it will give you a clear view of the top of the bush to check for cracks as you turn it lock to lock :y
Don't jack the car without the cup fitted securely as gravity always wins and the strut will drop...
My nearside front has been crashing and banging over potholes for sometime, decided to check underneath the cup, found the nut loose by a few turns, now tightened up.. Hopefully that might go some way to curing the noise..
-
The rubber in the Top Strut Mounts/Bearings are subject to the same wear and aging issues as the bushings. They get brittle and can crack & tear. The poly top mounts will fit. I have a set on my Catera. There's also a heavy duty rubber TM&B available.
Pedders USA Strut Top Mounts/Bearings (Heavy Duty Rubber):
GTO/G8 Strut Mounts part # 5851
http://www.peddersusa.com/product/GTOG8-5851-Strut-Mounts?gfid=p705-c1419
SuperPro Front Strut Top Mount & Bearing (POLYURETHANE) #SPF1590BK
2004-2006 GTO/Monaro
http://www.superpro.com.au/superpro-parts/SPF1590BK
-
That's handy to know :y
Might look out for a set ready for when I next change my front shocks...
Does also make you wonder what the differences in length is of the front shocks and all the springs on the Monaro compared to the Omega :-\ could open up a whole range of suspension options for the Omega...
-
That's handy to know :y
Might look out for a set ready for when I next change my front shocks...
Does also make you wonder what the differences in length is of the front shocks and all the springs on the Monaro compared to the Omega :-\ could open up a whole range of suspension options for the Omega...
Thinking similar. But the ls1 doesn't compress the suspension like a cast iron v6 3.2 does, from what I've seen so far. Although Elvin would have more experience of ride heights with his completed Ls1 conversion. :y
-
Monaro spring rates might well be better suited to you're requirements... although the Monaro is lighter than the Omega, all the Pedders/Nolathane parts are the same for Monaro/Commodore/Wagon/Ute, only the Ute rear end is different, so I suspect that they will either work, or not, with minimal faffing :-\
-
Seems to be a common family part as listed here for another option.
http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?part_number=W41772
Thanks for your post elvin btw. :y
-
Not cheap though Chris :'(
-
Not cheap though Chris :'(
Yep, they're all about 3 times the cost of the rubber ones.
As mine is lowered at the front, and on 18's, I'm concerned they will firm up the ride too much as well. Certainly don't want it any firmer.
Maybe Pedders heavy duty rubber is the way. :-\
-
One for the development test bed then... ::)
-
One for the development test bed then... ::)
Well, I need to get cracking personally, s my front tyres are due replacement as the edges have gone, and I'll need to sort the top mounts before set up and tyres. Plus allow some settling in time for the mounts.
-
I was waiting for my struts to wear out, but thats about 35k miles away ::)
To add, I would be looking to buy either from Monkfish or overseas :y
-
Just ordered pedders heavy duty rubber top mounts with bearings from Monkfish.
Let's see if they fit. :)
-
Just ordered pedders heavy duty rubber top mounts with bearings from Monkfish.
Let's see if they fit. :)
Hope so, then at some point I can invest in the poly ones 8)
Not the highest immediate priority :-[
-
Monkfish are quite certain, poly ruin the ride.
Not that they wanted to sell me a set of rubber ones of course. ;D but I suspect any increase in firmness in my set up would be excessive.
-
Interesting to see if Elvin posts on poly top mount ride quality...
-
Monkfish are quite certain, poly ruin the ride.
Not that they wanted to sell me a set of rubber ones of course. ;D but I suspect any increase in firmness in my set up would be excessive.
Sounds about right ;D though if it bothers them that much, they could always sell things at the same price as Pedders ::)
Don't forget, your springs are firmer :y
-
Is it worth the extra dosh for the heavy duty rubber? Although the standard ones compress I`m not sure it`s worth the extra outlay as i don`t think there`s that much to be gained.
I`ll be putting my money towards some better dampers.
-
So I changed my top strut mounts yesterday, which is a fairly easy job! :y
On the top of the strut there's a nut and a cup shaped washer that holds the strut assembly together. Should that washer be facing downwards or upwards? :-\
As I had one facing down and one facing up.... ::) I've put them back together with the washer facing downwards, but if they should be the other way up, it's an easy job to switch them. :y
-
The centre should dip down and be sandwiched between the two nuts :y this leaves the rim proud when the car is on the ground...
-
The centre should dip down and be sandwiched between the two nuts :y this leaves the rim proud when the car is on the ground...
I meant the washer under the lower nut that holds the spring. The one that's still there when you remove the strut. :)
-
Cup shaped washer under the bottom nut is fitted cup up. Like so "U".
-
That's sods law, I've got them the wrong way round! ::)