Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: old cruiser on 14 February 2007, 19:36:44

Title: Steering Idler
Post by: old cruiser on 14 February 2007, 19:36:44
Has anyone noticed there steering feeling a bit stiffer after changing the steering idler , just seems to require that much more effort to  change slight direction/correction when on motorway for example, not a real issue but just something I've noticed, either that or my arms are getting weaker! :)
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 15 February 2007, 08:32:53
Not hugely surprising, would free up a bit I suspect after a few miles......did you also check and adjust the steering box, if so you might have over done it a bit.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: old cruiser on 15 February 2007, 08:50:26
Yes , I think you're right Mark hopefully loosen up a bit and no I haven't touched the steering box adjuster as I've no excess play in the steering fortuneatly.
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: sophos9 on 15 February 2007, 13:15:34
Getting my idler arm changed today, fingers crossed... Stiffer steering sounds groovy!
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: sophos9 on 15 February 2007, 18:39:38
Cannot believe how much difference this has made to my car, feels like I'm driving a new one!

Steering feels stiff and responsive not like I'm driving a cut and shut, over joyed this problem has finally been sorted!!!  :y
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: TheBoy on 15 February 2007, 18:49:31
Quote
Cannot believe how much difference this has made to my car, feels like I'm driving a new one!

Steering feels stiff and responsive not like I'm driving a cut and shut, over joyed this problem has finally been sorted!!!  :y
:y
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: sophos9 on 15 February 2007, 18:54:34
seriously!

And even better, it seems like all the other steering/suspension components are in good shape!
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: old cruiser on 15 February 2007, 19:07:57
Nice one :y
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: bestseany on 15 February 2007, 19:57:45
Quote
Cannot believe how much difference this has made to my car, feels like I'm driving a new one!

Steering feels stiff and responsive not like I'm driving a cut and shut, over joyed this problem has finally been sorted!!!  :y

What were the symptoms that lead you to change the idler mate?

I'm starting to think that it's the cause of my problems too.
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: sophos9 on 15 February 2007, 20:12:47
Vague steering and random driving/pulling to random sides - felt like steering wheel was not properly attached!!

Steering is tight as fook now, not only do I get my car back after being written off, I get a horrible problem sorted... Part was about £40 all in from Mark @ Autovaux



Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 15 February 2007, 21:30:49
Quote
Vague steering and random driving/pulling to random sides - felt like steering wheel was not properly attached!!

Steering is tight as fook now, not only do I get my car back after being written off, I get a horrible problem sorted... Part was about £40 all in from Mark @ Autovaux




Wonder if I should do mine on the GLS?

Doesn't feel toooo bad, but there is something I can't put my finger on, no obvious symptoms to descrbe, apart from on "groovy" roads I've had the same feeling you get on a train, when it changes tracks....
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: AndersH on 16 February 2007, 08:24:34
I find it hard to describe my steering as well. It definitely pulls to the left, but all I can say is that if I'm going 50 plus round a bend I have to grip the wheel very tight or it's a bit scary! or if I brake hard at speed the car is all over the place. Also I can steer like I'm in an old film, moving the wheel left and right a small amount but not turning at all!
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 February 2007, 09:15:01
Jack it up and wiggle the drivers wheel....you will see vertical movement in the idler if its failed.....30 quid plus delivery on ebay...
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 February 2007, 09:23:18
Quote
Jack it up and wiggle the drivers wheel....you will see vertical movement in the idler if its failed.....30 quid plus delivery on ebay...

Sold!

Vertical movement, could that also be wishbones or wheel bearing?
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 February 2007, 09:24:23
Quote
Quote
Jack it up and wiggle the drivers wheel....you will see vertical movement in the idler if its failed.....30 quid plus delivery on ebay...

Sold!

Vertical movement, could that also be wishbones or wheel bearing?

Oops, ignore that, you mean look for movement in the idler and not the wheel.

How much vertical movement is acceptable?
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 February 2007, 09:25:40
No....you need to test them seperately....

Your looking at the idler to observe the movement...
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: bestseany on 16 February 2007, 09:46:46
Quote
Vague steering and random driving/pulling to random sides - felt like steering wheel was not properly attached!!

Steering is tight as fook now, not only do I get my car back after being written off, I get a horrible problem sorted... Part was about £40 all in from Mark @ Autovaux




Ah, right, that sounds similar to my problems then. At least I've got another possible solution now.

My week off work is going to be busy next week....  ::)
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: sophos9 on 16 February 2007, 10:03:54
Another thing I failed to mention were the intermittent strange vibes through the steering wheel at about 1:30 and 10:30, this has all been resolved now....!

Mark, after having the arm replaced will I have to have a tracking check? If not is there a danger that the tracking may have been set incorrectly due to play in the passenger wheel?

Cheers
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: TheBoy on 16 February 2007, 10:28:28
Quote
Another thing I failed to mention were the intermittent strange vibes through the steering wheel at about 1:30 and 10:30, this has all been resolved now....!

Mark, after having the arm replaced will I have to have a tracking check? If not is there a danger that the tracking may have been set incorrectly due to play in the passenger wheel?

Cheers
Always worth checking geometry after any suspension/steering work.

However, I would strongly recommend a full geometry check rather than simple tracking...
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 February 2007, 10:37:12
Idler would only affect the tarcking and any change would most likely be un-measureable
Title: Re: Steering Idler
Post by: sophos9 on 16 February 2007, 10:44:49
Quote
However, I would strongly recommend a full geometry check rather than simple tracking...

Will get the tracking checked....Last year I had 2 full geometry set-ups, the first they neglected to notice I had buggered shocks all round, the second was much after I fitted new suspension all round.

(http://www.leansigmanetwork.co.uk/images/geometry.jpg)

Dam expensive getting these done every year!