Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Teebee on 03 March 2009, 16:44:20

Title: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: Teebee on 03 March 2009, 16:44:20
So, I finally refit my coil pack, clean the breathers and it runs great again (thanks to the many posts and how-to's).

I pull out of the drive, get a jerk like stuck brakes and then notice a 'clunk' sound like something catching, definitely speed related.

When I parked it 4 weeks ago it was fine apart from the misfire. A couple of other points that now make me wonder if something else has gone, at the beginning of Jan my drivers side front wheel shredded around the inside rim, it was old and I just assumed a lot of wear. When I was in Protyre getting it tracked the guy doing the job had trouble with what he called the 'roll out', it took 3 x roll forward/backward to get it stable, he said at the time it usually indicates some kind of steering wear.

So with that info i'm wondering if the steering idler has gone (would it just fail while laid up?) Is there anything else I should look at while i'm down there with the wheels off? (i'd be checking it now if it wasn't pissing down and blowing a gale here :) )

Cheers
Baz
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: Andyb on 03 March 2009, 16:45:49
a clunk sound is normal for it to be drop links
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: nick v6 on 03 March 2009, 16:50:15
bottom arms/wish bones depends where you come from
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: Loch View on 03 March 2009, 16:55:46
if you get a speed related clunk I doubt it has something to do with the steering or suspension. You say the car has been parked up for 4 weeks?
I'd check the brake calipers etc and see if they move freely.  

As far as the tyre wear..that does sound like wishbones. I had the same and replaced both wishbones, went for a 4 wheel alignment and it's fine now. Ideally I still need to set the camber ::)
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: Teebee on 03 March 2009, 17:10:50
What's the average life of a wishbone? I had mine done by Vaux using genuine parts no more than 15k miles ago, seeing as the first set lasted nearly 65k miles that would be very disappointing....

And the 4 wheel alignment that Protyre did in Jan only showed very marginal movement from the one carried out after the wishbone change.

I'll check the calipers tomorrow, fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: Loch View on 03 March 2009, 17:17:41
they should defo last longer then 15k. Did you have an alignment done straight after the wishbones were fitted?

If I were you I'd go for a full geometry setup at WIM (Wheels in Motion) I haven't been there personally but almost every one else on here has :)
They are highly recommended

The camber probably needs set as well
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: jonathanh on 03 March 2009, 17:52:50
corrosion on brake discs or drums?  Drive it for a bit and see how it goes?
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: tigers_gonads on 03 March 2009, 18:22:36
if its being standing for a while  
i'd be tempted to give the calipers a good slap with a hammer  :y

Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: dbug on 03 March 2009, 19:00:43
Check front caliper slides and/or pistons not seized
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: Teebee on 04 March 2009, 11:16:04
Had the wheel off this morning and what I thought was minor surface rust was actually quite thick, sanded it off and it still grabs but not as much. I noticed on the inside that the outer inch of the disc was heavily rusted like it hadn't been in use for a while, so rather than mess around more i'll get a new set of discs/pads because it must be due a change. I'll check the calipers when I have it apart.

On a side note has anyone tried these discs from Autovaux? http://www.autovaux.co.uk/LoadPortal.aspx?cnum=169&pnum=AS93175466&tabid=5&vnum=141

They seem remarkably cheap, if not any advise for alternative suppliers?
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: bappy on 04 March 2009, 13:56:11
be weary of cheap pattern part disks. I bought 4 disks and 8 pads for £90 for my MV6 a year ago and one of the front disks is already warped.
Title: Re: Clunk from front wheels
Post by: dbug on 04 March 2009, 17:32:21
Quote
be weary of cheap pattern part disks. I bought 4 disks and 8 pads for £90 for my MV6 a year ago and one of the front disks is already warped.

Use only genuine Vx front discs and pads - around £70 set on TC :y