Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: megaomega123 on 09 December 2008, 19:15:24
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I did my tracking and alignment today. Got it all spot on then did 2 mile road test. I noticed that the steering wheel still didn't sit centrally and still had pull to the left.
I got back and checked it and it was further out than it was to begin with.
Any thoughts?
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Wishbones worn, and maybe the steering idler too :-/
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Both my cars have been properly set up (incl one at WIM) and both pull to the nearside slightly. Micheldever and WIM both put this down to tyre issues. I have yet to experiment with moving rubber around though.
Did the place that did yours do a full geometry? I suspect not as you said alignment, and it may well be the camber is off (or wishbones etc as said). Are your tyres wearing on the inside by any chance?
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I did my tracking and alignment today. Got it all spot on then did 2 mile road test. I noticed that the steering wheel still didn't sit centrally and still had pull to the left.
I got back and checked it and it was further out than it was to begin with.
Any thoughts?
Duff alignment centre?
What made you think it was out - I always had a central steering wheel, and consistent tyre wear, with that Miggy - as did STMO123.
Is it possibly as a result of the accident - was anything replaced?
Also - if it "tracks up" (I use the expression loosely) ok, and later is off limits, it suggests something is moving - check for play.
Full geometry is the only way to go, if it's a nice car like yours :y
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get to WIM they possess the proper tools for the job just doing the tracking is not enough for the omega!
check non of the bushes are split or faulty track rod ends
my omega went to WIM last tues and it now no longer pulls to the left but i had changed all the wishbones F&R with new ones and changed the springs & shocks with nearly new items
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I did it myself at college under the guidance of my tutor. There is an instrument on all 4 wheels. The fronts have lasers which indicate to the rear wheels and from side to side, showing toe in and out.
Is this full geometry? If not what else do I need to incorporate?
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For DIY youd need to use a Hunter DSP 600!
WIM use special figures that are tried and tested by themselves as the book figures for the omegas are all wrong!!!
(WIM = Wheels In Motion btw)
Toe & Camber!
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steering wheel not sitting centrally is a sign than it was not central when the tracking was re-set. the pulling to the left is probably down to one or more of: uneven tyre wear; incorrect geometry and road camber
interestingly enough when I used VX to replace a track rod end (I was just too busy to do it myself) they re-set the tracking and even managed to correct the very slight pull to the left I had. So far I also have pretty even tyre wear, possibly ' cos I do a front back typre swap every 10k or so to keep them as even as possible
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I did read some figures on here the other day but cannot find them again.
Do you happen to know them so I can try again tomorrow?
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steering wheel not sitting centrally is a sign than it was not central when the tracking was re-set. the pulling to the left is probably down to one or more of: uneven tyre wear; incorrect geometry and road camber
interestingly enough when I used VX to replace a track rod end (I was just too busy to do it myself) they re-set the tracking and even managed to correct the very slight pull to the left I had. So far I also have pretty even tyre wear, possibly ' cos I do a front back typre swap every 10k or so to keep them as even as possible
I have new wheels and tyres all round. This is due to a sideways bang in April. It has been back and forth to the garage and I have ended up with 4 new wheels and tyres.
This solved high speed shuddering but what remains is: uncentred steering wheel, pull to the left, very slight and odd feeling through the steering wheel at 40mph only.
Steering wheel was defo centred before alignment done.
The suggestion was that as it went so far out after 2 miles that something else would need looking at. Bearing in mind that the nearside wheel hit a kerb side on at 60mph with the steering lock ON!
Any more thoughts? A bent stub axle has been suggested!
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What you have done is alignment.....not geometry as you have not checked toe and caster...
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I did it myself at college under the guidance of my tutor. There is an instrument on all 4 wheels. The fronts have lasers which indicate to the rear wheels and from side to side, showing toe in and out.
Is this full geometry? If not what else do I need to incorporate?
you have done 4 wheel alignment, which is only a very small part of the geometry, and frequently on the Omega, wholly inadequate.
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Four wheel alignment (as you have done) should result in a zero thrust angle so it should run straight if you had the steering centred when you set the front toe.
The rear toe is adjustable on the Omega, have you checked to make sure nothing was bent at the rear?? Your gear should be able to set rear toe and centre the rear thrust angle on the car centre line. Then reset the front toe to centre and limits.
Have you checked front camber? It is adjustable and the toe setting can only be done once camber is correct.
I assume you have checked for damage /play to the wishbone bushes, idler arm and all ball joints.
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Four wheel alignment (as you have done) should result in a zero thrust angle so it should run straight if you had the steering centred when you set the front toe.
The rear toe is adjustable on the Omega, have you checked to make sure nothing was bent at the rear?? Your gear should be able to set rear toe and centre the rear thrust angle on the car centre line. Then reset the front toe to centre and limits.
Have you checked front camber? It is adjustable and the toe setting can only be done once camber is correct.
I assume you have checked for damage /play to the wishbone bushes, idler arm and all ball joints.
4 wheel alignment, I thought, wouldn't result in 0 thrust angle, unless the back had 0 thrust angle before?
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If done right it will end up with zero thrust and a straight steering wheel......but the car could be crabbing......and the steering angles on turns will be miles out.
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mine started off with the same sort of problems but it`s gone to a whole new level now lol, read my STEERING PROBLEMS topic in GENERAL CHAT :y
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Bearing in mind that the nearside wheel hit a kerb side on at 60mph with the steering lock ON!
Any more thoughts? A bent stub axle has been suggested!
It brings tears to my eyes to think my of my old pride and joy in that prang... but first things first, it's a blessing you are safe :y
What happened with the steering lock? Did something go wrong with the mechanisms etc? It would be good to know if something failed, so we know what to look out for :y
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Just to add - although it's a really nice car, I am thoroughly amazed they went to the expense of straightening it, and providing new wheels, tyres, etc.
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steering wheel not sitting centrally is a sign than it was not central when the tracking was re-set. the pulling to the left is probably down to one or more of: uneven tyre wear; incorrect geometry and road camber
interestingly enough when I used VX to replace a track rod end (I was just too busy to do it myself) they re-set the tracking and even managed to correct the very slight pull to the left I had. So far I also have pretty even tyre wear, possibly ' cos I do a front back typre swap every 10k or so to keep them as even as possible
I have new wheels and tyres all round. This is due to a sideways bang in April. It has been back and forth to the garage and I have ended up with 4 new wheels and tyres.
This solved high speed shuddering but what remains is: uncentred steering wheel, pull to the left, very slight and odd feeling through the steering wheel at 40mph only.
Steering wheel was defo centred before alignment done.
The suggestion was that as it went so far out after 2 miles that something else would need looking at. Bearing in mind that the nearside wheel hit a kerb side on at 60mph with the steering lock ON!
Any more thoughts? A bent stub axle has been suggested!
An exercise at collage, or what ever, is one thing. Fine, learn how it all works, i'd like to play around with it myself. But ask your self one question. Forget the play issue for a second.
Do you think you can get it set up to within a quarter of a turn of a track rod/controle arm adjuster, or whatever you want to call them?
If you can then start a new business in car set up, i had my car set up and it still had a fraction of pull, i took it back and they moved the left front track rod a quarter turn and the right front less than that. Sorted, thats all it took. Add in the smack its had and i would want to get it checked proper. Good chance the steering knuckles buggered on the wishbone, from your description. Or have the bones been changed since?