Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Ian_D on 14 February 2008, 01:26:19

Title: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Ian_D on 14 February 2008, 01:26:19
Not got round to checking this yet, but the steering wheel has a fair bit of free play in it (i noticed it other day when cleaning it) It moves a fair amount without moving wheels  :-/

Its hard for me to see under the car at home, but will try and have a look tomorrow evening.

Hope its not the steering rack? what are the chances? Could it be the idler (whatever that is?) - dont know a lot about omegas yet!  :-?
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: alank46 on 14 February 2008, 08:34:58
Hi
Omegas do not have a steering rack, they use a steering box, that might need adjusting.  Think the Haynes manual gives instructions.
Alan
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: MickAP on 14 February 2008, 14:17:20
Quote
Not got round to checking this yet, but the steering wheel has a fair bit of free play in it (i noticed it other day when cleaning it) It moves a fair amount without moving wheels  :-/

Its hard for me to see under the car at home, but will try and have a look tomorrow evening.

Hope its not the steering rack? what are the chances? Could it be the idler (whatever that is?) - dont know a lot about omegas yet!  :-?

Mine has a certain amount of free play when parked, engine off. When engine running try again power steering then in operation virtually no play then. What's others like?

Mick
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 February 2008, 15:28:11
Mine feels horrible with the engine stopped too. Drives fine, though. I'm guessing fluid flow takes out some slack in the steering box.

Kevin
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: yatesDELTA on 14 February 2008, 18:26:07
being a little sad i watch them car shows on Discovery Turbo

If there is alot ot play the steering box could be totally knackered and tightening wont help so you may need a replacment. Depends on age/mileage of the car i spose

ours has 207000 and very little play
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Ian_D on 14 February 2008, 19:11:06
I haven't noticed any play when engines running, so I assume its normal then.

Like I said, I was cleaning the steering wheel other week (engine off) and it moved about an inch almost. That about right?
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Jukeboxnut on 14 February 2008, 20:23:59
My previous Omega had exactly the same, about an inch at the wheel without the engine running but no discernable play once the engine was started.

Present Omega has no play at all despite 90,000 miles (just about run in by now I expect).
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: old cruiser on 15 February 2008, 09:04:48
quite normal with these steering boxes and even more noticeable when steering wheel is angled left or right.
Cheers Pete
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 15 February 2008, 09:52:51
Normal.....very reliable the Omega (ZF) steering box is.
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Ian_D on 16 February 2008, 22:55:52
UPDATE:

Just been and moved the car, and remembered to check it with engine on... There is still a bit of play with engine running  :-[

will get front of car jacked up ASAP and get a mate to move steering wheel while I try and find the play in it.
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Ian_D on 17 February 2008, 19:37:42
Had the car on stands today, Had a look, and couldn’t see any play - My dad was moving the steering wheel about an inch each way, and nothing was moving at all under the car  :-/

Whats the likely cause of this?
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Big_Mart on 17 February 2008, 19:46:25
Jack the car up (left side) grap the wheel at 1/4 past 9 and wiggle if theres play its the steering idler arm takes about an hour to change and is quite straight forward :y
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 17 February 2008, 21:10:23
Quote
Had the car on stands today, Had a look, and couldn’t see any play - My dad was moving the steering wheel about an inch each way, and nothing was moving at all under the car  :-/

Whats the likely cause of this?

In which case tighten the adjustment on top of the steering box by 1/4 turn.
Title: Re: Another quick omega prob... steering
Post by: Ian_D on 18 February 2008, 13:48:07
Cheers Guys, I will try and do both of them tonight. :y