Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[rastreet]

Hi Everyone,
 
Firstly I should say that I am not technically minded. I can change wheels, oil filters, air filters, bulbs etc but anything else is a bit beyond me.
 
I recently bought a 98 Omega (in fairness it looks really tidy inside)although it did have 150k on the clock. I knew it needed a new cat. I have recently moved so I took it to my local garage who immediately tried to fleece me to replace (they wanted nearly four hundred notes)... needless to say I got the part myself and agreed to pay for an hours labour to replace it...
 
The other problem... which I only discovered after I'd bought the car!
 
When driving for a ten minutes or so I can hear a vibrating/humming noise from under the front of the car. I assumed this was the drivers side front bearings. The garage told me that they couldn't get any noise out of the bearings when up on the ramp and they are not sure what is making it... They suggested that maybe it could be the diff and (yes no surprise here) that it would be expensive. The other thing they mentioned is that they think the engine is down on power?
 
I have no idea what to do. I can't afford to spend allot on the car as money is a bit tight.  
 
Can anyone suggest:
 
a) What the noise maybe?
b) How much it would cost to put right?
 
If it is too expensive I shall have to try to sell the car and buy another one. (Knowing my luck I'll get a lemon!)
 
I actually really like the Omega and want to keep it if I can. Suggestions please...!!!???
 
Richard
Vauxhall, London SW8

p.s.  Despite the advice from the garage I have been told by a couple of other people that the Omega does not have a front diff...  Is that right???  If the garage don't know what they are talking about maybe I should take it somewhere else...

[TheBoy]

Front diff? On a RWD car?  Thats another garage to avoid, what muppets.

You will need to try to pinpoint the area a little better. Wheel bearing likely, but you need to pinpoint it there first.

[Marks DTM Calib]

The Omega certainly does not have a front diff being rear wheel drive....

A few questions...

Does the noise change tone/pitch/volume with speed or revs?

Can it still be heard when not moving.

That will do for a starter!

[rastreet]

The faster the car is going the higher the pitch.  The slower the more vibration is felt and you can hear a metalic scraping sound.  The car is automatic so no clutch but moving and in neutral the vibration is still felt...

No vibration is felt when not moving...

I was convinced it was the front drivers side wheel bearing but the garage insist that up on the ramp the bearing does not make any noise...    it was then that they suggested it could be the 'front differential' and that it would be expensive...

I am tempted to just drive it round until something gets worse or breaks...  it is due an MOT in August anyway although I am not sure if this would make it fail?

[TheBoy]

I would suggest checking that bearing, or check for a binding brake that side.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Is it louder when cornering left or right....

If you jack the front wheel up (keep the wheel fitted), is there any play in the 12-6 Oclock position and the 3-9 Oclock position (grasp the edge of the tyre in the position described and push/pull to check for play).

Repeat on both sides

If there is any play, does it reduce if somebody presses the brake pedal.

[rastreet]

When I get home I shall try this and get back to you...

[Kaycee]

Could be warped Brake Disc or even pads worn to metal

[Markjay]

...or just something loose, e.g. the engine plastic under-tray at the front... or perhaps a bent heat shield behind the disc brake rubbing/vibrating...?