Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: LC0112G on 19 July 2017, 10:20:16

Title: Steering Idler
Post by: LC0112G on 19 July 2017, 10:20:16
Just had MOT, advisory on the steering Idler P/N 9195731.

Went to Vauxhall this morning, and it's NLS. Tried to order it from Autovaux - nope no genuine OEM stock.

So where are we at now? Febi, Lemforder?

Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: aaronjb on 19 July 2017, 10:49:01
IIRC someone (serek, maybe?) had a source of a poly version..
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: iansoutham on 19 July 2017, 19:58:11
Rubbish, I got one about 3 weeks ago from Vauxhall.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: frostbite on 19 July 2017, 21:30:31
I had a febi one off ebay, had the part numbers cast into the arm

so supposedly a good one, 110mm iirc
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: LC0112G on 19 July 2017, 22:39:00
Rubbish, I got one about 3 weeks ago from Vauxhall.

No UK or Europe stock. No dealer search stock showing either. If Andy Clears is about perhaps he can confirm?
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: LC0112G on 19 July 2017, 22:40:14
I had a febi one off ebay, had the part numbers cast into the arm

so supposedly a good one, 110mm iirc

The arm isn't the problem - it's the bush/bearing.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 19 July 2017, 23:32:29
I used to nip mine up now and again when it seemed a little slack.  :-X  ;)
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: frostbite on 20 July 2017, 07:18:23
It cost £8 with free postage, about 2 pints in new money I think
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 20 July 2017, 07:58:02
https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/oenumber/9195731.html

Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Mutha Jugs n Speed on 20 July 2017, 08:08:23
Febi fitted 3 years ago,absolutely no problem at all :y
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: mandula on 20 July 2017, 08:55:18
Has anyone noticed that even with brand new bushing, before tightening it in place, there is some noticeable slack?

I have tried few years ago and couple of months ago again with two brand new bushings (Febi) and same thing both times. There is about 1-2 mm free movement between the shaft and bushing. Should it be like this or is my shaft worn down so much?
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: raywilb on 20 July 2017, 09:08:15
Has anyone noticed that even with brand new bushing, before tightening it in place, there is some noticeable slack?

I have tried few years ago and couple of months ago again with two brand new bushings (Febi) and same thing both times. There is about 1-2 mm free movement between the shaft and bushing. Should it be like this or is my shaft worn down so much?
  that's a lot of movement
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 20 July 2017, 09:09:51
Has anyone noticed that even with brand new bushing, before tightening it in place, there is some noticeable slack?

I have tried few years ago and couple of months ago again with two brand new bushings (Febi) and same thing both times. There is about 1-2 mm free movement between the shaft and bushing. Should it be like this or is my shaft worn down so much?

Not something you get on the genuine ones or the (real) Lemforders
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: tidla on 20 July 2017, 09:31:34
Vauxhall do that. Had the same kind of service. Try ringing another dealer if you want genuine.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: TheBoy on 20 July 2017, 19:33:10
Has anyone noticed that even with brand new bushing, before tightening it in place, there is some noticeable slack?

I have tried few years ago and couple of months ago again with two brand new bushings (Febi) and same thing both times. There is about 1-2 mm free movement between the shaft and bushing. Should it be like this or is my shaft worn down so much?
That's because its shagged. Its not the shaft, its the shocking quality of the pattern ones.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: TheBoy on 20 July 2017, 19:35:35
Has anyone noticed that even with brand new bushing, before tightening it in place, there is some noticeable slack?

I have tried few years ago and couple of months ago again with two brand new bushings (Febi) and same thing both times. There is about 1-2 mm free movement between the shaft and bushing. Should it be like this or is my shaft worn down so much?

Not something you get on the genuine ones or the (real) Lemforders
I think even genuine (non ECP sourced) Lemforders are of shocking quality now. Good when fitted, but play within months - enough play to upset the handling.

Hence I do only ever fit ones provided by my friendly Vauxhall dealer.  Even if they are £50 :(.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: cam.in.head on 20 July 2017, 19:41:31
sorry if i read this wrong. did you say that there is some slack"before you tighten it up"? if so that is normal .it tightens up to a tapered end on the shaft. what you dont want is some slack AfTER its tightened up. once tightened it should stay tightened. doesnt need any more nipping up.as others have said its the rubber internal bushing that wears and as some people have found out some aftermarket ones are rubbish ,having looseness /movement in the rubber from day one. if you can find a genuine arm from a carlton ,senator,monza etc you can use the bushing from that and fit into your own correct length arm
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: mandula on 21 July 2017, 05:48:24
sorry if i read this wrong. did you say that there is some slack"before you tighten it up"? if so that is normal .it tightens up to a tapered end on the shaft. what you dont want is some slack AfTER its tightened up. once tightened it should stay tightened. doesnt need any more nipping up.as others have said its the rubber internal bushing that wears and as some people have found out some aftermarket ones are rubbish ,having looseness /movement in the rubber from day one. if you can find a genuine arm from a carlton ,senator,monza etc you can use the bushing from that and fit into your own correct length arm

Yep, the play is most noticeable when arm is finger-tightened to place.
But there still is some play that can be noticed also when tightened fully (you can feel small clonking when you jiggle the arm up and down).
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: LC0112G on 21 July 2017, 17:50:33
Three more dealers, and two online brokers all confirming no UK/EU stock and NLS. Looks like it's true.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 21 July 2017, 18:05:22
Three more dealers, and two online brokers all confirming no UK/EU stock and NLS. Looks like it's true.
Some imagination required, not but, but some...

http://m.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-GENUINE-GM-OEM-STEERING-IDLER-ARM-9195731-/281886440271?fits=Make%3ACadillac%7CModel%3ACatera&epid=657139558&hash=item41a1bdbb4f%3Ag%3AisMAAOSwvFZW7jAa&_trkparms=pageci%253A65acc410-6e36-11e7-8dc2-74dbd18078e8%257Cparentrq%253A6619dc1315d0ac896629df8afffd5874%257Ciid%253A21
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: LC0112G on 21 July 2017, 23:17:34
Three more dealers, and two online brokers all confirming no UK/EU stock and NLS. Looks like it's true.
Some imagination required, not but, but some...

http://m.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-GENUINE-GM-OEM-STEERING-IDLER-ARM-9195731-/281886440271?fits=Make%3ACadillac%7CModel%3ACatera&epid=657139558&hash=item41a1bdbb4f%3Ag%3AisMAAOSwvFZW7jAa&_trkparms=pageci%253A65acc410-6e36-11e7-8dc2-74dbd18078e8%257Cparentrq%253A6619dc1315d0ac896629df8afffd5874%257Ciid%253A21

Yes, I know I can possibly get it from the USA, but I have the MOT re-fail booked for Monday and was hoping to sort it out this weekend. It's cheaper direct from GM USA though :

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oe-gm/9195731

That's always assuming they really do have them in stock in the USA. I've ordered from 3 different UK outlets all claiming to have them in stock, but you then get a call/email back after 24 hours saying 'sorry - out of stock and no more available".
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 21 July 2017, 23:23:18
It says that they have one available... I wouldn't dither too long ;)
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: TheBoy on 22 July 2017, 11:26:34
I've ordered from 3 different UK outlets all claiming to have them in stock, but you then get a call/email back after 24 hours saying 'sorry - out of stock and no more available".
And why, as I was banging on on another thread, I prefer to ring up and check that they actually have one in their hand.  So many online places hold minimal stock and order on demand, but claim to hold it in stock.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 22 July 2017, 13:49:06
I have the MOT re-fail booked for Monday and was hoping to sort it out this weekend.

Have you tried tightening it up to get it through your retest?  ???

I had a new idler fitted to mine by a garage for £50 in 2007, so at that price it would have been a cheap one.  Every now and again I used to nip it up a bit with a long breaker bar if it felt slack (1/4 to 1/2 a turn) and it seemed to work.  I assumed that I was crushing up the rubber bush a bit more.  :-\

I never changed it and it always went through the MOT OK.  :y  I know it's a bodge, but worth a go even if it's short term fix for the MOT.  ;)
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: biggriffin on 22 July 2017, 15:04:20
IIRC someone (serek, maybe?) had a source of a poly version..


Correct. Serek has the modified poly fitted, 5000m no issues, and also has them in stock.  :y
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: LC0112G on 22 July 2017, 22:19:40
I have the MOT re-fail booked for Monday and was hoping to sort it out this weekend.

Have you tried tightening it up to get it through your retest?  ???

I had a new idler fitted to mine by a garage for £50 in 2007, so at that price it would have been a cheap one.  Every now and again I used to nip it up a bit with a long breaker bar if it felt slack (1/4 to 1/2 a turn) and it seemed to work.  I assumed that I was crushing up the rubber bush a bit more.  :-\

I never changed it and it always went through the MOT OK.  :y  I know it's a bodge, but worth a go even if it's short term fix for the MOT.  ;)

It's only an advisory not a fail at the moment. The garage has got a "First Line" one in and are intending to fit that on Monday during the re-fail. If I could have located a genuine GM one by Monday then I'd have got them to fit that instead. I did warn them that there are quite a lot of poor quality aftermarket ones about and they've said if their one fails again they'll replace it for free. I'll keep the old one just incase.

The car actually failed on handbrake efficiency - but it always does till I've attacked that 'kin stupid knurled adjuster widget. Also had an advisory on both rear tyres, which was fair enough given that they are my racing slicks. Now replaced with a new pair.

Strange thing is I've had my Carlton for 22 years now and the idler is the only part of the suspension or steering that has never given me any grief. You lot start talking about Omega idlers and the thing immediately packs up.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 22 July 2017, 23:10:52
First line? Better of fitting the box it came in :-X
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: cam.in.head on 23 July 2017, 11:19:25
yes ive got a carlton too and the idler has been on it since new.got 150k on it now. maybee theyre a better rubber ,maybee cos theyre a different length who knows? .a fee years sgo we had one fail on a 86 senator. i dismantled it and shimmed the bore as a temporary measure .that was 2007 and as far as i know he hasnt touched it since !