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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: 78bex on 17 December 2014, 15:45:50

Title: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 78bex on 17 December 2014, 15:45:50
With the car sitting on the level I can slightly rock the off-side front wheel fore & aft ???
Worn wishnones maybe, on the off-side ???
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: TheBoy on 17 December 2014, 17:02:59
Probably - jack it up and check :y
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: tidla on 17 December 2014, 19:18:45
Just dont use the jack in the boot or you will find it all sitting on the floor.
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 78bex on 17 December 2014, 19:36:06
Just dont use the jack in the boot or you will find it all sitting on the floor.

Yer I hear you  :y I hate crawlin under cars anyway.  ;D
Just get this odd road wheel rocking movement & wondered if it was a classic tell tale sign of something.
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: chrisgixer on 17 December 2014, 19:58:40
With the car sitting on the level I can slightly rock the off-side front wheel fore & aft ???
Worn wishnones maybe, on the off-side ???

Should be almost solid/very very difficult to move by hand or with a foot on top of the wheel. Of you do get movement, should be only millimetres.

Another way to look at it. Find a small lip/kerb, like an entrance to a drive way or similar. Stand on the kerb while an assistant rolls the car slowly over/up the kerb. If the wheel moves and decrease the gap to the wheel arch/door, the bushes are buggered.

Or Jack up and lever as said. :)
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 78bex on 17 December 2014, 20:36:04
With the car sitting on the level I can slightly rock the off-side front wheel fore & aft ???
Worn wishnones maybe, on the off-side ???

Should be almost solid/very very difficult to move by hand or with a foot on top of the wheel. Of you do get movement, should be only millimetres.

Another way to look at it. Find a small lip/kerb, like an entrance to a drive way or similar. Stand on the kerb while an assistant rolls the car slowly over/up the kerb. If the wheel moves and decrease the gap to the wheel arch/door, the bushes are buggered.

Or Jack up and lever as said. :)

Yer just by hand, I can grab the Alloy spoke of the wheel & pull to the rear :( & yes the gap decreases to the wheel arch & I suppose it`s only small but it`s there for sure.  I`ll get our company fleet repair boys to confirm it for me :y
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 17 December 2014, 21:13:12
Track Rod End... ::)
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: chrisgixer on 18 December 2014, 02:18:17
Track Rod End... ::)

Differant axis, if I understand it correctly.
Track rod would be like a wheel bearing test but at 9/3oclock.

This, hold the wheel at 9/3oclock but move it for and aft, not in and out. In other words, knackered wishbone bushes. ;)


...iiuc of course. :)
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: chrisgixer on 18 December 2014, 02:27:36
Just to add, if you watch the wheel, while someone levers the wishbone front bush for play, you'll see the same for and aft wheel movement.
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: YZ250 on 18 December 2014, 14:21:57
Just to add, if you watch the wheel, while someone levers the wishbone front bush for play, you'll see the same for and aft wheel movement.

That would be the first thing I'd check as well.  :y
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 78bex on 18 December 2014, 23:02:34
Just to add, if you watch the wheel, while someone levers the wishbone front bush for play, you'll see the same for and aft wheel movement.

Yer it`s well knackered  :( on the off-side front bush. I see euro crap parts can supply lemforder parts (allegedly)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEMFORDER-Right-Suspension-Control-Arm-W-Ball-Joint-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-2-2-16V-/231258107169?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35d80ead21 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEMFORDER-Right-Suspension-Control-Arm-W-Ball-Joint-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-2-2-16V-/231258107169?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35d80ead21)

Suppose I will do the drop links at the same time. What else do I need. New locating bolts ???  any advice/  part numbers  guys  :y
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 18 December 2014, 23:08:35
Buy the arms/droplinks/track rods from ATP in Germany... whole lot less than £100 delivered and good for 20k miles.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUSPENSION-CONTROL-ARMS-SET-KIT-VAUXHALL-OMEGA-B-NEW-/381018118518?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3AVauxhall%7CModel%3AOmega&hash=item58b6731976
Get them fitted and alignment set up properly by someone who knows how to.

Refurbish old arms with new bushes, poly or genuine VX and ball joints ready for when the replacements wear out...

Next ;D

Joking aside, depending on the mileage you do, you will need to have the alignment done again after 20k miles... if you buy lemforder arms, they might manage a higher mileage, but two things to bear in mind...
1. lemforder arms are questionable wrt durability.
2. given the state of our roads, geometry should be done every couple of years anyway, so the 20k lifespan becomes irrelevant...
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 78bex on 18 December 2014, 23:14:01
Buy the arms/droplinks/track rods from ATP in Germany... whole lot less than £100 delivered and good for 20k miles.

Get them fitted and alignment set up properly by someone who knows how to.

Refurbish old arms with new bushes, poly or genuine VX and ball joints ready for when the replacements wear out...

Next ;D

 ;D Speedy reply there Al ;D Do have a link to these blokes in Germany
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: chrisgixer on 18 December 2014, 23:17:17
If it's just the front bush, fit poly, wishbone on the car.

If the rearward bush is also failed, which it likely will be, then replace the bones as said.

Always change steering and suspension parts in pairs, btw. Don't just do one, the car won't drive straight.
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 18 December 2014, 23:19:20
If the budget will allow, and the car is anywhere between 120 and 150k miles, then do the shocks at the same time... saves doubling up alignment costs ;)

Previous post edited to add link :y
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 78bex on 18 December 2014, 23:40:42
If it's just the front bush, fit poly, wishbone on the car.

If the rearward bush is also failed, which it likely will be, then replace the bones as said.

Always change steering and suspension parts in pairs, btw. Don't just do one, the car won't drive straight.

It`s all original & now 11 years old with 47k miles on the clock.  There is some wear in the nearside. But the off-side  front bush is chronic. Think I`ll take a punt on Al`s link  ;D mileage is tiny about 4k miles a year
 Cheers guys  :y
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: 05omegav6 on 18 December 2014, 23:42:39
Shocks good for a few miles yet then ;)
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: chrisgixer on 19 December 2014, 00:14:11
Good stuff.

Remember to torque the front bolts wheels loaded. :y

Then set up. Then tyres. :)
Title: Re: wear in the off-side front suspension
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 19 December 2014, 00:16:14
I fitted ATP wishbones about 5-6000 miles ago and all good so far!  :y