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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: vauxsull on 18 December 2010, 15:25:03

Title: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 18 December 2010, 15:25:03
Clunking noise when turning left or right and when travelling in reverse too. Had wishbones and trackrods changed so issue not with these but finger now pointing at steering box... How much to buy and have fitted if correctly diagnosed?
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: feeutfo on 18 December 2010, 16:42:07
Would be a first ime. Sure it's not the steering column? Any play at the steering wheel?

Plus clonks can be funny, they can transmit from any where. Also checked the drop links? Jack both side on stand so the roll bar is not twisted and wiggle the roll bar by the drop link joint. Any play can be felt.
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 18 December 2010, 17:18:21
well as it happens there is play in the steering wheel....
just spoken to darth and he's convinved the bearings at the top of the front shocks  are at fault..
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 18 December 2010, 17:24:13
drop links, wishbones and track rods both sides are all new... i can slightly move steering wheel side to side which I hadn't noticed I could do before..
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: Boditza on 18 December 2010, 18:04:10
i have play too in steering wheeel and feels a little whobly up and down like its not staying there how it should. i had similar cracking noise on anopther car.. an astra and it was the shock absorber bearings.
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: Jimbob on 18 December 2010, 18:21:06
should add, I had a ride in this a week ago, only heard the noise once outside my house, and it sounded passenger side of engine, as best I could tell.

seemed to handle well, didnt sound like a noise I had heard before.

Seemed to be mainly when starting off, or going from forward to reverse.

Did wonder on diff oil level, seized brakes, didnt seem to be drop links on a test drive.
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: freecall666 on 18 December 2010, 18:23:40
have you looked at the steering linc near to peddles can make the type of sound when they go.
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 18 December 2010, 19:52:41
tooooo many things to look at.... hoping someone was going to say " I know what it is, its ya giggle flange washer doofer" and will cost £5 to fix..
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: feeutfo on 18 December 2010, 20:15:23
Next time you drive it hold the steering wheels so it takes out the play see if it makes any odds. But that means driving over a section that reliably reproduces the noise.  :-/

But yes, all reasonable suggestions so far it seems.  :-?
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 18 December 2010, 20:44:06
seems to have been clacking and banging like a guddon today more than before... if its the steering column and or steering box aswell as what darth thinks it is then fine but its the not knowing that does my head in... and being near christmas too when finances are earmarked to buying crap to aunty marge dont help hmmmm
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: Kevin Wood on 18 December 2010, 20:53:10
Bear in mind the steering box will feel like it's got horrendous play if the wheel is not held dead straight ahead with the engine running due to the way it's damped.

Kevin
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 18 December 2010, 21:08:07
well it was a case of " it wasn't there yesterday but here today" kind of thing... worry is that something will fall off
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 18 December 2010, 21:11:52
I have sent e-mails to company's that deal in steering box's and racks and i'm awaiting prices to come back as well as changing the bearings at the top of the front shocks that Darth thinks is the problem as I think I may change the lot seeing as I intend to keep the car...
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: feeutfo on 18 December 2010, 23:47:03
Steering boxes rarely fail, so there must be loads at breakers. Tried an ad on here, in test zone and ask Jimbob to cove it to wanted section?

When did this noise/clonking start btw, did it coincide with any work being done?
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 19 December 2010, 10:16:47
Up to yet i have only known one person do a steering box. . . So not a common thing to go wrong in my opinion,  plus it is difficult to actually give anyone a certain "yes, it is definately the thingy majig"
From what you told me which was you had renewed virtually all of your suspension, but when you turn either left or right you get a clonking. I have had that myself which turned out to be dry bearings at the top of the suspension leg.
Best way is have ago plenty of help on here x  :y
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: Brikhead on 19 December 2010, 10:54:48
Quote
Best way is have ago plenty of help on here x  :y

Is that a kiss at the end of the above sentence!?
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 19 December 2010, 11:09:13
Quote
Quote
Best way is have ago plenty of help on here x  :y

Is that a kiss at the end of the above sentence!?

Yeap x x  :-*
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 19 December 2010, 17:05:58
The noise coincided with the the onset of the cold weather thats it... the car doesn't have to move to make the noise just turn wheel from lock to lock and " clunk clunk it goes...
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: Boditza on 19 December 2010, 19:19:00
99% sure that the shock absorbers bearings are gone :).. 15 pounds each
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: vauxsull on 19 December 2010, 22:46:09
then that sounds bloody fantastic to me....does this involve a complete removal of shocks to do this? if so I'll replace them if they're off???
Title: Re: steering box maybe???
Post by: feeutfo on 19 December 2010, 22:49:51
As said, should be able to see the top shock mount jump. Bonet open watch the top suspension turret move as the steering is turned, ime the top mount will jump with the clunk.