Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 16 March 2007, 21:57:24

Title: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 March 2007, 21:57:24
On the new Elite (I will explain later!) .. the PAS works fine, but when at either end of the lock, either approaching hard right or hard left... the steering gets very stiff , just for the last bit when hard round....

Assitance is fine when wheels are central and for most of the circle...

Any ideas?!

Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 March 2007, 21:58:41
Belt fine, no squeals etc.. and assistance is fine when central.... just not on a hard lock  :-/

Can't see it being serious, but have no idea what it is ;D

(no, it's not tyres)...
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: TheBoy on 16 March 2007, 22:13:01
When you get it back, try it again with the front wheels jacked up...
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 March 2007, 22:14:51
Quote
When you get it back, try it again with the front wheels jacked up...

What would that suggest? I'm an engine man, I come unstuck in these situations  :-/
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: theolodian on 16 March 2007, 22:15:50
Hey TB, how much is a steering pump?  Yeah, that is getting worse too.   >:(
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: TheBoy on 16 March 2007, 22:16:40
Quote
Quote
When you get it back, try it again with the front wheels jacked up...

What would that suggest? I'm an engine man, I come unstuck in these situations  :-/
Wondering if pump/pas related, or a normal steering issue (jacking front up and turning wheel (with engine off) allows you to see difeerence between steering issue and PAS...
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: theolodian on 16 March 2007, 22:16:44
Quote
Quote
When you get it back, try it again with the front wheels jacked up...

What would that suggest? I'm an engine man, I come unstuck in these situations  :-/
Means your problem is with the road, not your car.  :P ;D
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 March 2007, 22:40:52
I always look for the worst, it's a bad habit of mine

What's the worst this could be? Very stiff when going on a lock.. but spot on when central, weird

I'd have thought if it was PAS related, it would be stiff all over..
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: Ronald_McBurger on 16 March 2007, 22:47:29
Wrong size tyres?
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 March 2007, 22:56:07
How would that cause it Fin?
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 17 March 2007, 05:09:19
Idler arm gone and some numpty has over tightened it to try to remove the play.......
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: theolodian on 17 March 2007, 05:31:59
Mark, how much is a steering pump?  Looks like mine is dying.
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 17 March 2007, 05:34:44
Speak to Laidback66.......he will most likely have a good second hand one for a good price.....

Is it lacking at idel revs.......
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: theolodian on 17 March 2007, 05:47:56
Quote
Speak to Laidback66.......he will most likely have a good second hand one for a good price.....

Is it lacking at idel revs.......
Cheers!  Yeah, it doesn't want to get out of roadside parking.  Fine after it has been running a bit.
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: Dave-C on 17 March 2007, 05:50:11
Mine was like this last week, until I changed the wishybones, t'was a bit awkward on mini polo's (roundabouts) sails around them now..

 :yDC:y
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 17 March 2007, 07:41:49
So... I should replace the steering idler mark, is that what you're referring to? That would cause it to go stiff when at either end of the steering?

I can't (personally) see wishbones doing it, but please advise if I'm wrong. Otherwise, track rod ends etc etc?

I'll check it out further when I Get it home  :y
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: Admin on 17 March 2007, 07:56:51
I understand and agree with Marks Very possible.

Problems with the PAS pump James/Theo. Before changing the pump (and yes I should have one available inside a week) change the fluid. It is only ATF so it is not expensive. May solve the problem...
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: theolodian on 17 March 2007, 12:18:50
Quote
Problems with the PAS pump James/Theo. Before changing the pump (and yes I should have one available inside a week) change the fluid. It is only ATF so it is not expensive. May solve the problem...
How does one go about doing that?  :-?

Cheers
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: Admin on 17 March 2007, 15:32:32
Easiest way is simply disconnect pipe from reservoir to pump (where it connects to the pump).

This will drain the majority of the fluid (remainder is in pump and cooling pipes).

refill, start engine, put on full lo.ck both ways a few times to force air out and now try it. :)
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: Matchless on 17 March 2007, 23:14:14
A very dry / partly seized ball joint could be your problem, dont know anyway to diagnose without undoing the track rod ends.
Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 18 March 2007, 11:23:27
Well, this problem seems to be sorted out. 2 simple causes I can think of.

1) This car's not bene driven for over a year. Just sat still. I was the first person to drive it in 12 months. After driving it about 40 miles, the problem has totally gone away. So probably just needed a good run and some use. Handling is spot on, no wobbles etc, so fingers crossed I'll be OK on this one.

2) thought to myself, been stood for 12 months, what are the tyre pressures like? Well... highest was 16psi!! Again, drove even better when I stuck em to 33 all round!!

Title: Re: Steering issue (Mark please read!)
Post by: tunnie on 18 March 2007, 11:30:14
Quote
Well, this problem seems to be sorted out. 2 simple causes I can think of.

1) This car's not bene driven for over a year. Just sat still. I was the first person to drive it in 12 months. After driving it about 40 miles, the problem has totally gone away. So probably just needed a good run and some use. Handling is spot on, no wobbles etc, so fingers crossed I'll be OK on this one.

2) thought to myself, been stood for 12 months, what are the tyre pressures like? Well... highest was 16psi!! Again, drove even better when I stuck em to 33 all round!!


The Senator i drove had not been given a decent run in 2 years!!  :o

Just driving it every day things got better, it started to fix itself.... the passenger window would stick few days later it was fixed!

Pulled the rear blind out at TB's got stuck, fixed itself again a few days later!  :D

I'd suggest 3 oil changes before you have done 1k... the oil was very thick on the first change on mine.