Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: feeutfo on 06 November 2011, 17:52:48
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After being almost rammed off the road by a range rover, I had to replace a bent wishbone. So ordered a pair of Lemforders and swapped out the bent one to get the car through an Mot and back on the road. The old wishbone(s) had BMW M5(3?) bushes fitted and I was happy enough with those... Ish.
Fitting one Lemforder showed a slight drop in performance, shopping trolly wheels returned on that side. By that I mean, hit a pot hole or a sunken man hole cover and the car seemed to dive into the hole, pulled off line, and that wheel seem to flap around in dealing with jolt. Shopping trolly wheels! .... some bump steer also returned.
Later fitted the other side so I had a matching pair, and also found some ball joint play so that side was fun bar anyway. And true enough, further drop in performance as you'd expect. break this I thought. Polly time.
Fitted this afternoon, quick blast to test and the improvement is marked. Supple ride in that the wheels don't flap about over bumps and take 10feet to settle back into position again further up the road. Less bump steer as a result of that. So the ride is much improved and now compliments the suspension.
Steering is more precise with far less pulling and tram lining, even though the tyres are just about down to the wear limit lines. It's still tram lines a bit due to said tyres but it's much improved.
So far I see no down side to fitting these at all. Although it's early days and a short test drive the old confidence has returned. Well happy. But we'll see how they go on the commute. ;)
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I had some polly bushes.... ::) ;D
Only driven 3.2 up to Halse & back so can't really comment on my thoughts of stock lemforder.
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Only driven 3.2 up to Halse & back so can't really comment on my thoughts of stock lemforder.
They will be far superior to what is fitted to your 2.2
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Only driven 3.2 up to Halse & back so can't really comment on my thoughts of stock lemforder.
They will be far superior to what is fitted to your 2.2
That applies to most of the running gear. ::) :-X
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My personal belief is, if you have a car that's done more than 75K on it's suspension you should seriously consider replacing springs, shocks and wishbones. Every Omega i've had has needed at least wishbones and every one except the very first one was markedly improved by putting new springs and shocks on as well.
I think after this mileage I would be inclined to replace the whole wishbone as both bushes and the ball joint have a fair few miles under them. Would I pollybush a new wishbone.... Yeh I probably would, simply because after you've changed everything your going to have to get it Geo'd so you may as well replace everything that likely to affect the Geo beforehand.
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Would I pollybush a new wishbone.... Yeh I probably would, simply because after you've changed everything your going to have to get it Geo'd so you may as well replace everything that likely to affect the Geo beforehand.
Plan is to replace all of mine and I intend to fit Polys to the new wishbones before they go in ;) :y
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The poly's do take alot of slop out of the front end. The only downside is that they'll highlight any weaknesses in the rest of the suspension such as tired droplinks.
Small price to pay for such a marked improvement IMHO. :y
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I personally would agree. Except not all drivers notice the bad symptoms or the following improvements I suppose. :-\
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Did you just poly the front bushes Chris?
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I personally would agree. Except not all drivers notice the bad symptoms or the following improvements I suppose. :-\
Practically living in the drivers seat I do tend to notice any variation (good or bad)::) I know that the Omega is designed as an exec barge, but it is good to be able to make the most of what is actually a well balanced car.
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I personally would agree. Except not all drivers notice the bad symptoms or the following improvements I suppose. :-\
I think we both know that I'll see a huge improvement, but replacing all of the suspension at the same time means I won't be able to give an answer as to which part has made the improvement ::) ;)
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Shocks will probably be the biggest surprise. They gradually get softer so you don't quite realise just how soft they are. :-\
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Changed the wishbones on our TD a year-ish ago - fitted Lemforder 'bones with Poly-bushed front bushes, followed by a full WIM set-up.
Am personally very pleased with the improved handling - and the car now goes where it's told to go, with no issues!
:y :y :y
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I found Poly's an improvement on handling and especially on minimising steering wheel movement under heavy braking. :y It did highlight a bad wheel balance issue which was not that evident before. My main concern is that if the standard bushes absorbed this issue, where does the wheel deflection shock go now. Hopefully not to the wishbone hangers as I'd hate to be causing fatigue to the metal parts. :-\
Still seems a good mod so far. :y
Regards
Alan
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I found Poly's an improvement on handling and especially on minimising steering wheel movement under heavy braking. :y It did highlight a bad wheel balance issue which was not that evident before. My main concern is that if the standard bushes absorbed this issue, where does the wheel deflection shock go now. Hopefully not to the wishbone hangers as I'd hate to be causing fatigue to the metal parts. :-\
Still seems a good mod so far. :y
Regards
Alan
My money would be the rear bushes on the wishbone. Time will tell how they cope with polys on the front.
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Polly will absorb it, they are surprisingly soft IMO. They just don't have the massive voids the originals have with those stupid plastic inserts.
Oh, and if pollying new wishbones, beware the oil bladders when cutting the old ones out. Black molten oil and muck splattered everywhere. I looked like a Dalmation after. ;D
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Oh, and if pollying new wishbones, beware the oil bladders when cutting the old ones out. Black molten oil and muck splattered everywhere. I looked like a Dalmation after. ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Oh, and if pollying new wishbones, beware the oil bladders when cutting the old ones out. Black molten oil and muck splattered everywhere. I looked like a Dalmation after. ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D
Oi! It's not THAT funny. >:( ;D
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Oh, and if pollying new wishbones, beware the oil bladders when cutting the old ones out. Black molten oil and muck splattered everywhere. I looked like a Dalmation after. ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D
Oi! It's not THAT funny. >:( ;D
Oh yes it is! ;D ;D :D
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Oh, and if pollying new wishbones, beware the oil bladders when cutting the old ones out. Black molten oil and muck splattered everywhere. I looked like a Dalmation after. ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D
Oi! It's not THAT funny. >:( ;D
Oh yes it is! ;D ;D :D
Yep ;D ;D ;D
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I found Poly's an improvement on handling and especially on minimising steering wheel movement under heavy braking. :y It did highlight a bad wheel balance issue which was not that evident before. My main concern is that if the standard bushes absorbed this issue, where does the wheel deflection shock go now. Hopefully not to the wishbone hangers as I'd hate to be causing fatigue to the metal parts. :-\
Still seems a good mod so far. :y
Regards
Alan
My money would be the rear bushes on the wishbone. Time will tell how they cope with polys on the front.
Certainly the rear bushes on my - admittedly crap, but low mileage - aftermarket 'bones lasted about 30 seconds after fitting polys in the front. :( ??? :'(
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I found Poly's an improvement on handling and especially on minimising steering wheel movement under heavy braking. :y It did highlight a bad wheel balance issue which was not that evident before. My main concern is that if the standard bushes absorbed this issue, where does the wheel deflection shock go now. Hopefully not to the wishbone hangers as I'd hate to be causing fatigue to the metal parts. :-\
Still seems a good mod so far. :y
Regards
Alan
My money would be the rear bushes on the wishbone. Time will tell how they cope with polys on the front.
Certainly the rear bushes on my - admittedly crap, but low mileage - aftermarket 'bones lasted about 30 seconds after fitting polys in the front. :( ??? :'(
That's why, personally, I wouldn't fit anything cheaper than Lemforder. Although if the Pollys have caused early failure that's obviously a concern. But...
As said earlier, the ride is smoother! There's less... Fudder? ...through the car over bumps. To me that's less stress on everything, not just the occupants.
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Polly will absorb it, they are surprisingly soft IMO. They just don't have the massive voids the originals have with those stupid plastic inserts.
Oh, and if pollying new wishbones, beware the oil bladders when cutting the old ones out. Black molten oil and muck splattered everywhere. I looked like a Dalmation after. ;D
Poly-bushed mine before fitting the 'bones.
Clamped them in the workmate, and used a blow-lamp to 'melt' the rubber portion first on mine, then whacked-out the inner sleeve. It was then really easy to hack-saw the outer sleeve 'til it collapsed sufficiently enough for it to be knocked out.
Surprisingly, the heat from the blow-lamp didn't damage the painted surface either!
:y
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I did my last ones in situ, and it really wasn't too difficult, and if I can say that at my age, it will be the proverbial p.of p, for you young'uns. There is (was) a 'how to' somewhere. :y :y :y
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Took me two hours under the car, in no particular rush, and a jig saw that was playing up, along with a cup of tea.
It would take longer with a hack saw, obviously, and probably be quite awkward.
Choose your saw weapon well. :)
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Took me two hours under the car, in no particular rush, and a jig saw that was playing up, along with a cup of tea.
It would take longer with a hack saw, obviously, and probably be quite awkward.
Choose your saw weapon well. :)
How about one of these (http://www.toolstop.co.uk/index.php?option=shop&page=shop.product_details&product_id=1525)? Probably go straight through the wishbone as well, but.. ;)
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Took me two hours under the car, in no particular rush, and a jig saw that was playing up, along with a cup of tea.
It would take longer with a hack saw, obviously, and probably be quite awkward.
Choose your saw weapon well. :)
How about one of these (http://www.toolstop.co.uk/index.php?option=shop&page=shop.product_details&product_id=1525)? Probably go straight through the wishbone as well, but.. ;)
We used one of those Pollying AA's wishbones at Newent, made short work of it, but easy to get it wrong :y
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Took me two hours under the car, in no particular rush, and a jig saw that was playing up, along with a cup of tea.
It would take longer with a hack saw, obviously, and probably be quite awkward.
Choose your saw weapon well. :)
How about one of these (http://www.toolstop.co.uk/index.php?option=shop&page=shop.product_details&product_id=1525)? Probably go straight through the wishbone as well, but.. ;)
We used one of those Pollying AA's wishbones at Newent, made short work of it, but easy to get it wrong :y
Nah, its not that quick at cutting!
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I find with cutting the outer sleave, key is stopping short at just the right point. Not all the way through, but deep enough to drive a cole chisel down one side of the cut, so it bends one side in and tears the mettle in the remainder of the cut. Bend one side in with the cole chisel, up to about half the length of the cut.
Then with a hammer belt the bent in section to knock the sleeve out. It doesn't need to be cut all the way through, that would damage the wishbone.... Ime.
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Also, just to mention. I find if the blade cuts all the way through, as on the inner oil bladder ring, due to the press fit nature the metal, the ring is being compressed in, so when the saw blade cuts through the ring grabs the blade. This can 'dangle berries' the saw.
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FFS, it doesn't do the saw any good. Put it that way. ;D
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FFS, it doesn't do the saw any good. Put it that way. ;D
;D ;D
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Done a commute. Well happy. Cant wait to get new tyres on it now.
...and maybe change the rear donuts for something more solid.
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http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/cars-sale/470267-2003-53-vauxhall-omega-estate-3-2-v6-special.html
Just spotted this, and I can't think its right. Wishbone REAR bushes poly'd! :-\ :-\ :-\
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Power flex don't make a rear bush for the front wishbone. As I'm sure you/we all know.
Unless there's been a recent development.
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Paul is a member here as well, is he not?