Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Chopsdad on 27 December 2006, 23:24:41

Title: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Chopsdad on 27 December 2006, 23:24:41
My old barge is noticibly softer to drive than the wife's 05 Meriva but lately it seems to bounce around more than usual - or the roads are getting worse!

I've just noticed on the last service (in June :-[) that both O/S/F and N/S/F wishbone rear bushes are split - could this be a factor?  Would it account for the unusual and occassional pull to the left? & could I change them myself? That means it must be easy!  ;D

Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: JasonH on 28 December 2006, 09:20:31
Yes and yes.

Although the Omega is never a pin-sharp firm drive.

Did my wishbones yesterday.

A couple of points about the How To guide though:

1. You don't need to undo as much as Ronald did. The three wishbone bolts and one end of the drop link will do. If you do it this way it's a bit more of a fiddle to get it in, but you don't b*gger up the camber setting.

2. The first bush to get in is the rear vertical bush and this really needs to go in horizontally. Tug the strut around to give the clearance.

3. TIGHTEN THE BUSHES WITH THE WHEELS ON THE GROUND (or the horizontal bushes will fail very fast)

Buypartsby.co.uk do wishbones for £17.19 + VAT each.
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Chopsdad on 28 December 2006, 11:39:59
Quote
Yes and yes.

Although the Omega is never a pin-sharp firm drive.

Did my wishbones yesterday.

A couple of points about the How To guide though:

1. You don't need to undo as much as Ronald did. The three wishbone bolts and one end of the drop link will do. If you do it this way it's a bit more of a fiddle to get it in, but you don't b*gger up the camber setting.

2. The first bush to get in is the rear vertical bush and this really needs to go in horizontally. Tug the strut around to give the clearance.

3. TIGHTEN THE BUSHES WITH THE WHEELS ON THE GROUND (or the horizontal bushes will fail very fast)

Buypartsby.co.uk do wishbones for £17.19 + VAT each.

Thanks Jason - Q do I need to replace the wishbones or just the bushes that are split?
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2006, 12:13:54
Quote
Quote
Yes and yes.

Although the Omega is never a pin-sharp firm drive.

Did my wishbones yesterday.

A couple of points about the How To guide though:

1. You don't need to undo as much as Ronald did. The three wishbone bolts and one end of the drop link will do. If you do it this way it's a bit more of a fiddle to get it in, but you don't b*gger up the camber setting.

2. The first bush to get in is the rear vertical bush and this really needs to go in horizontally. Tug the strut around to give the clearance.

3. TIGHTEN THE BUSHES WITH THE WHEELS ON THE GROUND (or the horizontal bushes will fail very fast)

Buypartsby.co.uk do wishbones for £17.19 + VAT each.

Thanks Jason - Q do I need to replace the wishbones or just the bushes that are split?
if you have a press, you can do just bushes, but its easier just to change wishbones (as a pair)
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Chopsdad on 28 December 2006, 13:48:58
Thanks boys I don't have a press and TBH if 1 has gone on each side already, for the price quoted by JasonH, it's worth replacing the others at the same time - ie new wishbones.

I usually hear lots of "fit genuine Vx parts" - does this not apply to suspension parts?
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2006, 16:09:23
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Thanks boys I don't have a press and TBH if 1 has gone on each side already, for the price quoted by JasonH, it's worth replacing the others at the same time - ie new wishbones.

I usually hear lots of "fit genuine Vx parts" - does this not apply to suspension parts?
I put genuine Vx ones on mine a couple of years back, but they were much cheaper then.  Seems for wishbones, Vx have priced themselves out of the market.  I haven't used cheapo ones, so cannot comment on quality...
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Chopsdad on 28 December 2006, 18:00:30
What about these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330064471443&category=10404&sspagename=rvi:1:3v_
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 December 2006, 18:18:02
Matchless has just bought a pair of these and the quality seems reasonable........the bushes are not inserted perfectly to alignment though.

And yes, this could cause it...how many miles has the car done?
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: JasonH on 28 December 2006, 19:27:14
Genuine Vx wishbones are £180 + VAT retail.... each. £165 + VAT on TC, each.
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2006, 19:29:19
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Genuine Vx wishbones are £180 + VAT retail.... each. £165 + VAT on TC, each.
That will be trade price, wishbones aren't on TC...  ...and not all dealers give TC members trade price on non TC items....
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: JasonH on 28 December 2006, 19:29:50
Regarding your wishbone Ebay link... I'm not sure if I was unlucky but I bought a pair of wishbones from that place in May this year.

The rear bush on one failed after about 8,000 miles and 6 months. I didn't kerb it or hit anything.
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: JasonH on 28 December 2006, 19:31:27
Right you are The Boy. The wishbones aren't TC, you only get the Trade discount (if you can).
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: jonathanh on 28 December 2006, 21:25:43
does anyone know who makes them for VX?  I know Sachs-Boge list them on their catalogue and the do make some suspension parts (shocks).  If they are the OEM it may be possible to get the same stuff as VX  at a lower price
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Chopsdad on 28 December 2006, 22:30:44
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Matchless has just bought a pair of these and the quality seems reasonable........the bushes are not inserted perfectly to alignment though.

And yes, this could cause it...how many miles has the car done?

40k - I suspect speed bumps may be to blame  :(
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Chopsdad on 28 December 2006, 22:33:09
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Genuine Vx wishbones are £180 + VAT retail.... each. £165 + VAT on TC, each.

I'll follow your lead Jason and pick up the cheapies - 10 sets should outlast 1 GM set I reckon.  ;)
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: omegaV6CD on 28 December 2006, 22:33:35
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My old barge is noticibly softer to drive than the wife's 05 Meriva but lately it seems to bounce around more than usual - or the roads are getting worse!

I've just noticed on the last service (in June :-[) that both O/S/F and N/S/F wishbone rear bushes are split - could this be a factor?  Would it account for the unusual and occassional pull to the left? & could I change them myself? That means it must be easy!  ;D


A set of 4 new shocks primarily and new wishbones should make the car drive like a dream.
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: omegaV6CD on 28 December 2006, 22:35:22
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does anyone know who makes them for VX?  I know Sachs-Boge list them on their catalogue and the do make some suspension parts (shocks).  If they are the OEM it may be possible to get the same stuff as VX  at a lower price

Bushes are made by BOGE and the suspension arm made by Febi bilstein.
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Markjay on 29 December 2006, 08:20:49
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does anyone know who makes them for VX?  I know Sachs-Boge list them on their catalogue and the do make some suspension parts (shocks).  If they are the OEM it may be possible to get the same stuff as VX  at a lower price

Bushes are made by BOGE and the suspension arm made by Febi bilstein.

Agreed... split bushes need replacing, but if the ride is all over the place don't overlook the dampers. Front one are integral with the strut and not sold separately, so a bit more expensive than the rear ones and also more involving to replace.
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: jonathanh on 29 December 2006, 08:43:55
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does anyone know who makes them for VX?  I know Sachs-Boge list them on their catalogue and the do make some suspension parts (shocks).  If they are the OEM it may be possible to get the same stuff as VX  at a lower price

Bushes are made by BOGE and the suspension arm made by Febi bilstein.

My guess would be that a BOGE part would then be the same as VX, at least as the bits that usually fail are the bushes.  I think these are under the Lemforder brand - I've no idea of price however...
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: jonathanh on 29 December 2006, 08:45:52
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Quote
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does anyone know who makes them for VX?  I know Sachs-Boge list them on their catalogue and the do make some suspension parts (shocks).  If they are the OEM it may be possible to get the same stuff as VX  at a lower price

Bushes are made by BOGE and the suspension arm made by Febi bilstein.

Agreed... split bushes need replacing, but if the ride is all over the place don't overlook the dampers. Front one are integral with the strut and not sold separately, so a bit more expensive than the rear ones and also more involving to replace.

Exactly, I replaced the front pair (MOT failure) and I was surprised by the difference it made.  Tempted to change the rear pair event though I do not have to for MOT etc.  
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Chopsdad on 29 December 2006, 20:30:12
Local garage will fit both fron wishbones for £50 - having read Ronnies guide I'm not sure I should be messing here. Q Is there anything else to change whilst they are out - I was thinking droplinks? and will a 4 way laser tracking be ok via tyre fitter cos I can't find anyone better with full geometry set up.
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2006, 20:47:20
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Local garage will fit both fron wishbones for £50 - having read Ronnies guide I'm not sure I should be messing here. Q Is there anything else to change whilst they are out - I was thinking droplinks? and will a 4 way laser tracking be ok via tyre fitter cos I can't find anyone better with full geometry set up.
best to do full geometry, as suspension components have changed....
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: omegaV6CD on 29 December 2006, 22:00:24
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Quote
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does anyone know who makes them for VX?  I know Sachs-Boge list them on their catalogue and the do make some suspension parts (shocks).  If they are the OEM it may be possible to get the same stuff as VX  at a lower price

Bushes are made by BOGE and the suspension arm made by Febi bilstein.

Agreed... split bushes need replacing, but if the ride is all over the place don't overlook the dampers. Front one are integral with the strut and not sold separately, so a bit more expensive than the rear ones and also more involving to replace.

Exactly, I replaced the front pair (MOT failure) and I was surprised by the difference it made.  Tempted to change the rear pair event though I do not have to for MOT etc.  

I never ever changed shocks as a pair, i alway go for 4 new shocks. Especially on the omega, being RWD the rear ones play a key role to the handling and behaviour of the vehicle. I would change them if i was you, don't wait for the MOT to tell you. ;)
Title: Re: Pitch 'n' roll
Post by: Chopsdad on 29 December 2006, 22:25:40
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Regarding your wishbone Ebay link... I'm not sure if I was unlucky but I bought a pair of wishbones from that place in May this year.

The rear bush on one failed after about 8,000 miles and 6 months. I didn't kerb it or hit anything.

Did you tell them they had failed so quickly?  Site claims full 12m warranty  :-?