Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: gavlar001 on 31 October 2020, 20:07:32

Title: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: gavlar001 on 31 October 2020, 20:07:32
Hi everyone hope all is well with you. Have finished front suspension struts which have been changed plus drop links and wishbones done.The tie rods and steering idler needs replacing but while im there i am going to replace the centre tie rod as well.There are two sizes, one is 605 in the length from febi and the other is 715 from delphi, which is the right one. Also is the steering idler 110mm in length its from febi. Are any of the mv6 parts different as its a 2001 2.6 v6 mv6. Many thanks  :y
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 31 October 2020, 23:32:22
Idler is correct.

One tie rod is probably from the Omega A, but can't tell you which is which :-\
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: johnnydog on 01 November 2020, 00:32:02
As there is a big difference of 110mm difference in length of the two centre tie rods, wouldn't the easiest way to establish the correct one for your car be to jack the car up and measure your existing one?
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 01 November 2020, 00:37:48
Presumably that means buying both ???
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Enceladus on 01 November 2020, 02:49:25
The Febi branded centre tie-rod (#12851 ?), whatever about the 605mm, seems to be for left hand drive cars. They don't appear to supply a RHD version.

Delphi list different part numbers for LHD vs RHD cars. Both said to be 715mm total length. Part # TL363 for RHD and # TL362 for LHD.

However EPC suggests that lowered sports chassis equipped cars have different centre tie-rods to the standard models. Maybe somebody can confirm if that is true or if it is just a backwards compatible revision?

Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 01 November 2020, 03:00:01
It would make sense that they would be different in order to allow for the shallower track rod angles as the body effectively sits 15-20mm lower.

A standard one will technically fit, but you'll need to wind in  the TREs in to compensate. Abd expect oddities at full lock/bumpsteer issues.

Standard Omegaa geo settings still apply.
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 01 November 2020, 11:09:03
Isnt the length of an Omega idler 100mm ? Not at home at the moment, so cant check.
I bought a genuine Carlton idler, which iirc is 110mm, so 10mm too long for an Omega. Ive removed the bush from it, and need to source an old Omega version to press the bush into.
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Nick W on 01 November 2020, 11:34:03
Isnt the length of an Omega idler 100mm ? Not at home at the moment, so cant check.
I bought a genuine Carlton idler, which iirc is 110mm, so 10mm too long for an Omega. Ive removed the bush from it, and need to source an old Omega version to press the bush into.


As you'll need to remove the one already on the car, why not rebush that?
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 01 November 2020, 12:18:02
Theres always the possibility I might knacker the bush pressing it in, so would like to keep my current one as a spare. Its not actually worn out, but a new genuine bush would no doubt be better.
I sliced the idler open to get the new bush out, so will be going in blind when removing the old bush and fitting the new one.
Presumably warm the arm in the oven while the bush is in the freezer, then hope the press at work is suitable.
Thats about as precise as I get.  ;D
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Nick W on 01 November 2020, 12:33:53
It's a small, flimsy bush so I doubt it needs much of a press. The key to effective and efficient use of presses is the availability of tooling to hold and align the parts. Which is why any well used press will have a collection of sockets, bars, blocks and other crudely fabricated fixtures.


I'm not convinced that steering idlers are the common failure that are frequently reported here.
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Enceladus on 01 November 2020, 12:55:57
Isnt the length of an Omega idler 100mm ? Not at home at the moment, so cant check.
I bought a genuine Carlton idler, which iirc is 110mm, so 10mm too long for an Omega. Ive removed the bush from it, and need to source an old Omega version to press the bush into.
Omega B & B2 are 110mm.

Wasn't the idler, that you scavenged the bush from, a 121mm arm that's only used with extended wheelbase models, these might be Carlton / Omega A limos.

ZF bushes for the Omega B idler are:
Lemförder 11602-3
or
Boge 87-020-A

Febi bushes are part # 22126
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: dave the builder on 01 November 2020, 13:38:06
Isnt the length of an Omega idler 100mm ? Not at home at the moment, so cant check.
I bought a genuine Carlton idler, which iirc is 110mm, so 10mm too long for an Omega. Ive removed the bush from it, and need to source an old Omega version to press the bush into.
Omega B & B2 are 110mm.

Wasn't the idler, that you scavenged the bush from, a 121mm arm that's only used with extended wheelbase models, these might be Carlton / Omega A limos.

ZF bushes for the Omega B idler are:
Lemförder 11602-3
or
Boge 87-020-A

Febi bushes are part # 22126
Towards the end of production it was pretty much hit/miss which idler was fitted ,110mm or 121 on Omega A (carlton) & senator .

I had 4 carltons, the last being a 1993 2.0 CDi which had 121mm idler ,at the time the 110mm idler was very easy to get but the 121mm item was like finding hens teeth in the saddle bag of a unicorn  ;D
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: johnnydog on 01 November 2020, 15:12:59
Presumably that means buying both ???

Why buy both? Measure the length of your existing one on the car, then buy the longer or shorter, whichever is the same length. Can't get more simpler than that..
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: biggriffin on 01 November 2020, 19:47:10
Presumably that means buying both ???

Why buy both? Measure the length of your existing one on the car, then buy the longer or shorter, whichever is the same length. Can't get more simpler than that..


 Simplicity wins again.. :)
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Nick W on 01 November 2020, 19:58:36
Presumably that means buying both ???

Why buy both? Measure the length of your existing one on the car, then buy the longer or shorter, whichever is the same length. Can't get more simpler than that..


 Simplicity wins again.. :)


It's not an OOF strength though, is it?  :)


Perhaps owning these complicated German cars changes us?


In the same way that a French car would make one have another glass of wine at lunch time, and then rag a nasty little hatchback well past screaming. This works with Italian cars, but you'd have the whole family screaming even louder.


A British car would lead to a big flash, a loud bang, and crawling out of the rubble wearing bent spectacles, even more holes in your cardy, wild hair, mild incontinence and shouting I'll be alright once my ears stop ringing!


Discuss ::)
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 02 November 2020, 17:27:01
It is presumed that the one on the car is of similar length to either of the presented options ;D

Of course, if the OP had wanted a simple answer, they would already have measured their one rather than 'asking tinterweb'  :D
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: gavlar001 on 03 November 2020, 20:56:33
 ;D lol I will just measure it.Looked under there today i think steering idler is the 110mm one.Tie rods look a bit tired but on a long drive today no wheel wobble.Maybe its the tyre as the day before i checked all the tyre pressures.Will get the tyre checked over at a good little local place he said he can check the alloy as well. Got sticky stuff on the passenger door card and on some buttons does it just need cleaning off.Many Thanks gavin :y
Title: Re: MV6 Center tie rod and steering idler
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 03 November 2020, 21:11:44
Wheel play is usually the outer track rod ball joints or the wishbone ball joints ;)

Recent thread about cleaning the buttons. :y