Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: bizza69 on 17 March 2007, 15:18:01
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My Omega is getting me down at the mo. It's chewing tyres like there's no tomorrow and I've just recently replaced (twice on NS) both bottom wishbones due to bush wear, parts used were FAI aftermarket ones said by my local factor to be the best ones available, costing £40 a shot. Since this has been done, a local tracking centre has pointed out that the top of the tyres are markedly in over compared to the bottom, accounting for the scrubbing off of the tyres on the inner edges of the tread. The wheels look like they're exhausted from carrying a heavy weight due to the angle they're lying at. Can anyone PLEASE give me part number and manufacturer of bottom wishbones that will put the camber right???? :( At the same time, any idea why the exhaust emissions light keeps coming on; the car has an LPG conversion on and the fault code refers to the MAF sensor but I've heard a lot of talk about this often not actually needing replaced, and I don't want to have to if I don't have to, a new sensore being about £100. :'( The car is as smooth as ever but has the performance and throttle response of a pregnant slug at the moment. And finally, on the autodimming mirror, any idea anybody, which colour wires to connect, on the little harness in the mirror base, to the interior light pos and neg to get it grafting? Not bothered about memory functions or the reversing bit, I just want it to dim when nuggets are behind me. Thanks to anyone and everyone in advance for your much-appreciated help :y
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Who fitted the wishbones?
FAI are normally fine. The worn bushes suggests the wishbones have not been fitted properly, the bolts need to be tightened with the wheels on the ground or the bushes will be ripped apart.
Once done the geometry needsto be reset as everything will be way out.
Where in the country are you?
Without question, the best place for steering to be sorted is wheels in motion in Watford. Very highly recommended by numerous members here.
www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk
If you are not in that area, check the list of other recommended garages.
With regards to the emissions light. I can't comment much on the LPG as others know far more than me on that.
However, have you tried running on just petrol for a couple of days? Does it still behave the same?
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something not right there!! I found Omega's excellent on tyres (talking 40k+) to a set of tyres.
Agreed about above, get your self to Wheels in Motion.
Personally if I was any ware in the UK i would make a run down there, heard some excellent things about that place. Mention this place and you get a discount, also one of the Admins cars here is the "benchmark" for Omega's.....
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what tyres are they?
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Inside edge getting chewed is not uncommon on Omegas.
As suggested, try Wheels In Motion - I personally recommend them highly...
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Thanks for your help chaps; surely though tightening the bolts once the wheels are on the ground will make the problem worse, as the weight borne will spread the wheels out further due to settlement? We're on the point tomorrow of loosening the bolts, pushing bottom in and pulling top out whilst off the ground, and tightening whilst doing this; thoughts please? Tyres were not scrubbing off until the wishbones were replaced; the tracking centre I talked to reckon Vx have modified items in an attempt to rectify??
And re the emissions light, this is unaffected by running on petrol, have tried that to no avail.
I LOVE my Omega but she's stretching my patience at the minute...... have rear shocks and struts to replace yet..... :-/
Re location, I'm in Washington Tyne & Wear so Watford's not really practical grrrr (would have to replace the tyres midway, ha)
Your advice is much appreciated gents :D
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Tyres are Continental Premium Contact as standard spec on current Vectra.
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My front tyres scuff on the insides.....but i got about 27k outa them before the mot blokey failed it for it......so not overly bothered.
Emissions light coming on and your running on lpg......ignore it! mine does the same....and so does Martin Imbers (both lpg'd)
MAF sensor fault code......you possibly have an air leak....so check the air inlet hoses for splits.
Iirc the ecu knows how air there should be coming in and if MAF sensor reports a widely different value....the ecu flags the MAF as faulty.....so if you have an air leak.....MAF could be reporting correctly.
HTH
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And re the emissions light, this is unaffected by running on petrol, have tried that to no avail.
Bet it goes off if you run on petrol for a period of time......judging by the way my emissions light behaves....its not switch to petrol and im happy now...so goes off....it takes quite a few restarts before it will go off.....probably 20-30.
I also find it depends which brand of lpg you put in it......i usually use countrywide.....emissions light stays off with that......shove bp lpg in it and on it comes.....then it takes a few tanks of countrywide lpg before it goes back off again
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On the Omega the front camber is fully adjustable. If the camber is not set right then replacing the wishbones won't help. Some people undo the strut to knuckle bolts when fitting wishbones. If you do this your camber setting will be ruined and you'll need a professional geometry alignment (not just tracking).
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Wishbones, as most have heard on here, I replaced mine last week with a new pair from VSC (Vauxhall Spares Centre), do a search on e-bay £45 + £10 p&p... excellent quality product... try these, tighten up with a fatty or two people sitting in the front of the motor though... mines NEVER run so straight in almost 4 years...
DC
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The lower wishbones do not set the front camber!! (unless they are
knackered tired.
There are two bolts where the front strut joins the upright.....one of these holes is slightly elongated to allow for camber adjustment.
Take it to a reliable alignment centre and get it set-up properly....its much cheaper than buying new tyres.
The wishbone mounting bolts must not be tightened until the wheels are on the ground and the car has been rolled back and forth to get the suspension settled to its 'normal' position. If you tighten the bolts with the wheels unloaded then the wishbone bushes will have a very short life.
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Very very helpful gents, I am indebted. Gonna try the ebay site and go from there, although I WILL see if there is the aforementioned camber adjustment on the car first, might save me some money. Muahhhhhh to you all :y
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Hi
Just recently bought an 02 2.2i CD Saloon with only 24k (now done 26k) had recently had a new set of front tyres just before I bought it (less than 1k ago) and I have noticed they are starting to wear prematurely on BOTH front wheels on the OUTSIDE edge. :(
Could this just be the tracking OR does my Meega need a full geometry check????
Does anyone know a decent place where I can get this checked out in Notts???
Dan
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Hi
Just recently bought an 02 2.2i CD Saloon with only 24k (now done 26k) had recently had a new set of front tyres just before I bought it (less than 1k ago) and I have noticed they are starting to wear prematurely on BOTH front wheels on the OUTSIDE edge. :(
Could this just be the tracking OR does my Meega need a full geometry check????
Does anyone know a decent place where I can get this checked out in Notts???
Dan
As the car is new to you, don't waste money on tracking etc. Get a full geometry check done. Wheels In Motion is recommended highly, but may be a tad far for you. Check their site out anyway...
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I found my local tyrefitter very helpful with 4 wheel, laser alignment facility. Free check and £30 to reset - £15 if only the fronts needed adjustment.
This is simply a case of checking the tracking and camber and making fine adjustments. He couldn't set it 100% first time round but it turned out my track rod ends were shot as well as the wishbones i'd just replaced.
Try ringing round a few local firms, avoid Kwik Fit etc & look for local run outfit, if they need any help Tony at Wheelsinmotion may be kind enough to give them a steer.
BTW I have a 03 2.2CD and wishbones & track rod ends failed at around 40k. I blame speedbumps :(
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I found my local tyrefitter very helpful with 4 wheel, laser alignment facility. Free check and £30 to reset - £15 if only the fronts needed adjustment.
This is simply a case of checking the tracking and camber and making fine adjustments. He couldn't set it 100% first time round but it turned out my track rod ends were shot as well as the wishbones i'd just replaced.
Try ringing round a few local firms, avoid Kwik Fit etc & look for local run outfit, if they need any help Tony at Wheelsinmotion may be kind enough to give them a steer.
BTW I have a 03 2.2CD and wishbones & track rod ends failed at around 40k. I blame speedbumps :(
Remember, its worth getting a FULL GEOMETRY check, and by someone who understands what they are doing. One end of the factory specified tolerance is likely to cause excessive inner edge wear, so the operator has to be aware of this.
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Hi
Just recently bought an 02 2.2i CD Saloon with only 24k (now done 26k) had recently had a new set of front tyres just before I bought it (less than 1k ago) and I have noticed they are starting to wear prematurely on BOTH front wheels on the OUTSIDE edge. :(
Could this just be the tracking OR does my Meega need a full geometry check????
Does anyone know a decent place where I can get this checked out in Notts???
Dan
Sounds like excessive toe-in but dont just have tracking done, check out condition of suspension bushes etc and if OK get a full alignment check done.
There is a place in Basford.
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Sounds like excessive toe-in but dont just have tracking done, check out condition of suspension bushes etc and if OK get a full alignment check done.
There is a place in Basford.[/quote]
What's this place called in Basford - are they good and what sort of price???
Dan
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Nottingham Alignment Services
01159420843
Check your phone book under wheel alignment, there may be somewhere nearer