Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Omegatoy on 25 August 2008, 21:52:00

Title: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 August 2008, 21:52:00
Bit of a strange one this,
ok start car drive for around ten miles and i get a kind of a clunking knocking but muted if you know what i mean? however in an effort to solve it i have done the following and strangely enough each job has imporved it slightly!! hence the reason for the post cos im out of ideas now :-/
when it first started i thought aha could it be a loose wheel nut? checked them no,could it be caliper pins are dry cos thats what it sounded like so regreased them and checked both for freedom of movement, made it slightly lesser but still there :-/
then thought aha wonder if its rollbar links? checked them could find no play but replaced them just in case slightly less than befor but still there :-/
ok checked every steering joint for lift movement etc etc, couldnt do much about them but deceded to strip the whole lot down including idler arms and spent an enjoyable(not)5 hours carefully prising off the rubbers and regreasing the whole lot shimmed up the idler arm so t was tight and regreased that to, again the noise is slightly muffled but still there after about ten miles  :-? am now beginning to think its strut top bearings although there is a small amount of movement in them its a lot better than some cars i have seen(omegas and senny etc) so dont think its that , its not a noise you can pinpoint and when it first started the wife was sure she could feel it through her footwell but can only just sort of sense it now ;D there is certainly nothing dangerous about it its just annoying me to hell, car has now done 114768miles so should be in rude health!! even changed wheels front to back to try it and still it only appears when its done ten miles!! any ideas guys?
hoping someone has had a similar experience but i doubt it!!
so the door is open any suggestions will be tried!!
Omegatoy :y
p.s. and did wheel bearings!!!
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: sophos9 on 25 August 2008, 22:08:05
Does it sound like a golf ball in a barrel? If so, wishbones mate!  :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 August 2008, 22:10:05
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Does it sound like a golf ball in a barrel? If so, wishbones mate!  :y

new in january and checked them no movement and no bushes worn
thanks sophos!! :y
p.s thats not a bad description tho!! :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: VXL V6 on 25 August 2008, 22:17:57
Something to do with the propshaft? You seem to have covered most of the stuff at the front end!
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 August 2008, 22:20:28
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Something to do with the propshaft? You seem to have covered most of the stuff at the front end!

nice idea but its definetly from the front and seems to be slightly biased to the passenger side or the centre of the car did wonder if it could be a shagged engine mount but it would be there all the time!!
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 25 August 2008, 22:22:10
may sound stupid but struts come in to my mind..
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 August 2008, 22:29:00
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may sound stupid but struts come in to my mind..

yep but it aint stupid!! cos i said to the wife today i wonder if the strut is worn!!! checked it for leaks (None) and did the bounce test and it seems fine, however to get to our place is about half a mile of unmade but well graded track so it could be a strut coming to the end of its life, so that one is going to be stuck in the book for when i get totally fed up with it!!
cheers cem :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 25 August 2008, 22:31:39
but you say it only happens after ten miles so something has warmed up wouldn't you say?
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: TheBoy on 25 August 2008, 22:34:33
if you think there is a little play in the strut bearings, worth further investigation  :-/
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 August 2008, 22:35:02
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but you say it only happens after ten miles so something has warmed up wouldn't you say?

yep thats the strange thing about it, sometimes it doesent happen till its done around 20 but usually around ten, hence the reason its driving me nuts!! last time i drove it got back and drve it straight up the ramps and grabbed pushed pulled bashed everything in  an attempt to find out what it is, and found nothing nada zilch grrr
wouldnt mind but the car is normally so quiet it just irks me!!
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 26 August 2008, 00:03:00
Couldn't be rear axle needing oil ?
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: lpgelite on 26 August 2008, 00:09:30
Could be a/roll bar bushes on the subframe? You haven't mentioned these in your posts, yet.

Try disconnecting one drop link then wrestle the free end of the bar to see if you can feel anything, otherwise it sounds like a worn bush inside the top of the damper.

Let the wheel hang free then push / pull the lower spring seat. If its FUBAR you'll be able to see the damper rod moving relative to the strut body, however this is usually accompanied by a fluid leak.

Looks like you're running out of things to look at!
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 26 August 2008, 08:34:06
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if you think there is a little play in the strut bearings, worth further investigation  :-/

sorry mate meant the big rubber bushes not the bearing i know they have a tendency to misshape over time and mileage, best way to gauge the wear is to see how much the strut top  in the engine bay moves up and down when you first start jacking it up mine has about 3 or 4 mm movement in them
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 26 August 2008, 08:35:45
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Could be a/roll bar bushes on the subframe? You haven't mentioned these in your posts, yet.

Try disconnecting one drop link then wrestle the free end of the bar to see if you can feel anything, otherwise it sounds like a worn bush inside the top of the damper.

Let the wheel hang free then push / pull the lower spring seat. If its FUBAR you'll be able to see the damper rod moving relative to the strut body, however this is usually accompanied by a fluid leak.

Looks like you're running out of things to look at!

like the idea but could find no movement in the bushes with it on the ramps or with the wheels hanging free, no movement in the spring base/seat that i could find either, but will prob replace the front antiroll bar bushes just in case :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: bth2bth2 on 26 August 2008, 08:41:39
hi,
try the anti roll bar bushes.i had an anying knocking on my carlton and turned out it was the bushes . they harden and wear over time.
good luck.
brian
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Martin_1962 on 26 August 2008, 13:38:25
Sound is difficult to locate - check the rear end as well
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 26 August 2008, 21:28:38
took around 15miles to start making its noises today , and we ahem switched off the engine and coasted so we could hear it better funny enough the car without power steering assistance is not that heavy to steer!!both agreed it was definetly coming from the n/s front area,  so when it was safe to do so pulled over i leapt out and instead of pushing down on the ns for some reason i pulled it upwards, lo and behold the mrs said THATS IT!!  seeing the look of astonishment(or stupidity) on my face she said whats up ?unbelievingly i told her  from outside the car there is not a sound!!we swapped places aqnd she attempted to lift it a little bit :-/
you can only hear it when inside the car!!!
no wonder i havent been able to find it!! so the plan is as soon as i have a free day going to put it on the ramps with her inside the car whille I push on everything till she hears it!!! its almost cetainly steering or suspension related onwards and upwards! keep the suggestions coming guys!!! :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: VXL V6 on 26 August 2008, 21:30:18
It's not a gold bullion bar in the glovebox is it?  ;D
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: TheBoy on 26 August 2008, 21:32:05
steering idler?
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: johnnycboy on 26 August 2008, 21:33:15
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steering idler?

my thoughts exactly
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 26 August 2008, 21:50:11
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It's not a gold bullion bar in the glovebox is it?  ;D

knowing my luck it would be lead!!!
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 26 August 2008, 21:53:44
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steering idler?

I keep going back to check that cos its been niggling at me that it might be  but as said can find no free play in it and just in case shimmed it to tighten it after greasing it , and cannot find any movement in it , pin has no wear on it so im doubtful, but if i had a spare would change it just for me own peace of mind!! anyone fancy sending me one out??? :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: VXL V6 on 26 August 2008, 22:03:48
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Quote
steering idler?

I keep going back to check that cos its been niggling at me that it might be  but as said can find no free play in it and just in case shimmed it to tighten it after greasing it , and cannot find any movement in it , pin has no wear on it so im doubtful, but if i had a spare would change it just for me own peace of mind!! anyone fancy sending me one out??? :y

May have a used one by friday but will have to see how useable it is (certainly doesn't make any noise but very slightly vague steering)
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 26 August 2008, 22:25:14
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Quote
Quote
steering idler?

I keep going back to check that cos its been niggling at me that it might be  but as said can find no free play in it and just in case shimmed it to tighten it after greasing it , and cannot find any movement in it , pin has no wear on it so im doubtful, but if i had a spare would change it just for me own peace of mind!! anyone fancy sending me one out??? :y

May have a used one by friday but will have to see how useable it is (certainly doesn't make any noise but very slightly vague steering)

slightly vague steering?would be interested just to see if it stops the noise regardless!! would then know for sure!! thanks bud let me know!!!
Omegatoy :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 27 August 2008, 22:56:35
Steering box secure?
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 August 2008, 23:29:14
Omegatoy, I have a brand new idler here in a box.
Where do I send it  :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 28 August 2008, 11:03:36
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Steering box secure?


yep thanks Mark, box has a minimum amount of freeplay when engine
off which disappears when engine is running
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 28 August 2008, 11:04:13
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Omegatoy, I have a brand new idler here in a box.
Where do I send it  :y


pm awaiting your perusal :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 August 2008, 11:13:47
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Quote
Steering box secure?


yep thanks Mark, box has a minimum amount of freeplay when engine
off which disappears when engine is running


Lol, when I say secure I mean as in bolted to the bulk head.
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 28 August 2008, 20:07:48
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Quote
Quote
Steering box secure?


yep thanks Mark, box has a minimum amount of freeplay when engine
off which disappears when engine is running




Lol, when I say secure I mean as in bolted to the bulk head.

LOL first word was "yes"! meaning it is well secure all bolts checked, then the other bits were just to let you know had checked ev erything connected to it, shouldnt have added thanks a suppose but i was actually thanking you for the idea :y
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Varche on 28 August 2008, 22:46:15
Is this on "my" car!

Sounds to me like you have picked up some goat muck at some stage.

You can try my worn idler to see if that gets rid of the noise.

varche
Title: Re: well im stuck!!
Post by: Omegatoy on 29 August 2008, 08:20:48
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Is this on "my" car!

Sounds to me like you have picked up some goat muck at some stage.

You can try my worn idler to see if that gets rid of the noise.

varche


lololol thanks very much!! :y