Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Cookie Monster on 22 November 2009, 14:14:42

Title: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Cookie Monster on 22 November 2009, 14:14:42
Hi all... seem to have developed a sort of clicking and sticking in the steering.. to be honest it sounds bit like a piece of plastic or something has broken off and is getting caught within the steering somewhere... i`ve taken the couling off but cant see anything so i guess the steering wheel is next... thing is i dont want a faceful of airbag by doing something wrong... so... any ideas or clues pls ?   ;)
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: davethediver on 22 November 2009, 14:36:47
Are sure it inside the steering column and not underneath the car have a look here first http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152601938

 :y
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: RobG on 22 November 2009, 15:37:29
And here http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1257974494
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Cookie Monster on 22 November 2009, 16:06:56
I see where u are coming from gents but no its definitely i sound of something inside steering immediately beneath steering wheel.. i can almost count the number of bits of plastic or something making the noise   :(
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: dbug on 22 November 2009, 16:45:01
Airbag squib?
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Cookie Monster on 22 November 2009, 16:47:01
Crikey i hope its not the squib !!... How can i get the steering wheel off  pls .... SAFELY !
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: RichardH on 22 November 2009, 18:27:20
Definitely sounds like the squib.  I had a piece of plastic break off mine before.

It's easy in theory to remove the steering wheel, but if you don't have a puller all you can do is keep tugging at it until it pops off and hits you on the chin!
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Andy H on 22 November 2009, 18:31:49
Have you got a tilting steering wheel?

I had the plastic cowl off mine today and saw that the universal joint looks like a hard plastic ball with two grooves around it that the steering shafts engage with. If a foreign body found its way in there it might create similar noises.

Before disturbing the steering wheel (& squib) I would take the cowl off and have a look for loose bits

1. turn wheel 90deg left, remove plastic cap & screw.
2. turn wheel 90deg right, remove plastic cap & screw.
3. remove three screws from lower cowl and you should be able to separate the top & bottom cowls & reveal all the bits that might make a noise.

One final thought, do your indicators 'self cancel'. The indicator switch might have broken and be causing the noise.
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: adi191927 on 22 November 2009, 19:46:40
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laser-Vauxhall-Steering-Wheel-Puller_W0QQitemZ360197892594QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item53dd77a9f2

Puller on ebay. Steering wheel off in a jiffy, airbag squib change is simple.Haynes gives a good description. Make sure you get the correct squib.




Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Cookie Monster on 22 November 2009, 20:45:02
i had the cowl off i did get a fraction of plastic come out but its still doing it .... the indicators still cancel so dont think its that... looks like it could be sqibby trouble i guess   :-/
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: RichardH on 23 November 2009, 08:43:14
Don't worry, it's not a big job at all.  You probably wont need a new squib.  Just remove the remaining piece of plastic once you take the wheel off and that should be it.
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Cookie Monster on 24 November 2009, 18:17:29
Thank you oh knowledgeable ones... i will get out there tomorrow hopefully and have a proper look.... been laid up with man flu ... and not getting the sympathy a man deserves from er indoors  :'(
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: RichardH on 24 November 2009, 21:08:17
Don't forget to disconnect the battery first before you go messing with the airbag.  :y
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Dave Elite on 24 November 2009, 21:19:56
I had a problem like this, it turned out to be the trafficmaster box that had come loose and fallen down and made a rattle\clicking sound when I turned the steering wheel. Could be that?
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: adi191927 on 24 November 2009, 21:31:22
Quote
Don't forget to disconnect the battery first before you go messing with the airbag.  :y

Diconnect battery within 15 seconds of turning ignition off otherwise alarm will go off. With battery disconnected leave for at least one minute before attempting to remove the airbag.
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Cookie Monster on 29 November 2009, 19:25:25
A big thank you to everyone who helped with wise words ..... Done and dusted... turned out to be a small piece of plastic no bigger than half a matchstick had broken off what i think is the indicator cancelling thing ( technical eh?) .
Anyway another little task i have learned  ::)
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: RichardH on 29 November 2009, 20:01:08
Good news!  Was it hard to get the wheel off?
Title: Re: clicking/rattle in steering
Post by: Cookie Monster on 29 November 2009, 20:31:17
Err no... possibly a little worrying but the nut was locked in place by the lock washer but it was only finger tight... and the steering wheel came off with 2 tugs ! So as they say luvly jubly  ;D