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[sark]

Hi there,

I am new at this forum, so I guess I am posting my question on the right place.

I have Opel Omega B Caravan '95-'96, with 2.0 16V X20XEV engine.
The thing I have noticed, in my car, is that I have play at the steering wheel, but only when the steering wheel is not straight.
When I drive, it makes no problems, since when I turn, the wheel wants to go back, so the play can not be noticed, but, when the car is in place and the steering wheel is turned for example 1 turn, there is a play of at list 2-3 cm. If the steering wheel is straight, than no play at all. It doesn't matters if the engine is on or off.

Month or two ago, when I was working something else on the car, and the car was on stands, I checked if there is some play on the tires, but everything was looking ok.

So have you had some similar problem with you omegas???

BR,
Vladica

[Kevin Wood]

Welcome to the forum.

I think this is a normal characteristic of the steering box. It's designed to be tighter around the straight ahead position as, when you are turning, the steering gear is loaded and therefore the play is less of an issue.

If it doesn't cause a problem when driving, I'd ignore it.

[sark]

Thanks Kevin,

It absolutely makes no issue when driving, but I have not noticed it on some newer cars I have had in the past. As a matter of fact, I noticed this issue a few months after I bought this car 

BR,
Vladica

[chrisgixer]

Hi and welcome.

Quite normal. Nothing to worry about.

[05omegav6]

Er, isn't that arse backwards... there is normally a vagueness around the straight ahead position beacuse the box ISN'T loaded. Therefore play with lock applied means summats amiss Idler play perhaps...

[Kevin Wood]

Er, isn't that arse backwards... there is normally a vagueness around the straight ahead position beacuse the box ISN'T loaded. Therefore play with lock applied means summats amiss Idler play perhaps...

No. The box in itself will be tighter around the centre position to reduce that potential for vagueness and more play away from straight ahead to ensure it doesn't bind up and stop the steering self-centring, hence the requirement to make sure the steering wheel is correctly aligned with respect to the box before adjusting.

Try rocking the wheel at the centre position and feeling the play, then try it have a turn off each way.

[05omegav6]

Aha, got it

[chrisgixer]

Er, isn't that arse backwards... there is normally a vagueness around the straight ahead position beacuse the box ISN'T loaded. Therefore play with lock applied means summats amiss Idler play perhaps...

Nah. Stick it on full lock next time your in the car. Then let go, engine off, then feel the play in the steering. Probably got about 1 to 1.5 inches of play.


"...they all do that sir" as they so precisely put it.

Its dead ahead that's important.

[Entwood]

From the MOT web site .. http://www.motester.co.uk/mot-guide#steering

Free play allowed depends on type of steering: 75mm for non-rack and pinion, 13mm for rack and pinion steering. Where there are several joints between the steering wheel and the rack, up to 48mm on a 380mm diameter wheel may be accepted.

 - note ...

Power steering systems are checked with the engine running (Power steering fluid level will be checked with engine off)

When mine was failed a couple of years back, the instructions to check were .. with the engine running, lightly move the steering wheel until the road wheels JUST move, place a strip of masking tape at the 12 o'clock position. Turn the wheel in the opposite direction and repeat. Measure the distance between the two strips of masking tape.

To adjust ENSURE the wheels are dead straight, and the steering wheel is dead central, loosen lock nut and turn the adjusting screw no more than 1/4 turn, tighten lock nut.

Repeat the check, if not in limits repeat the adjustment. do this until the measurement is about 60mm... DO NOT OVERADJUST OR THE STEERING MAY LOCK UP HALFWAY THROUGH A TURN. I did it and it worked .. no mention on the last 2 MOT's and no further adjustments done.