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[Phil B]

Mine is on 72k now, apart from a light knock over some bumps and inner edge tyre wear the front end seems pretty solid. I get slight tramlining on uneven surfaces but nothing I wouldn't expect from such wheel sizes, and I can't get any play when swinging around on the wheels when it's jacked up.

I have ordered some drop links to address the knocking, but should I fit new (would be pattern) wishbones before a camber trip to WIM? I wonder if this is pointless if the original genuine ones are still ok.

Should there be absolutely no tramlining if the wishbones are up to scratch or is a little bit to be expected?

Cheers
Phil

[feeutfo]

Im thinking it, you asked it. Same situation as you really. No play i can find but for me, its a bit too wayward for my likeing. Changed wish bones on my first omega, and was was not happy with the new parts fitted either tbh, i am begining to think thats either how they are or both cars needed a new steering idler, the only bit i have not done in that dept. or thats what you get with wide tyres. Reading meet is on Sat. Maybe i can get a second opinion there.

Ps i would hope Wim would tell you first if you need new bones, otherwise your waisting your sobs.
Hope helps.

[Tony H]

The make of tyres fitted can cause tramlining even if your suspension is "blob on"

[Alex Wood]

What wheels and tyres do you have Phil?

At about 75k my inner fronts were down to the wire. I had the alignment done and the seized track rods replaced by Supertyres in Maldon, Essex and then fitted the notoriously fragile Irmscher MV6 17 inch wheels with Pirelli P0 Rossos (all were pretty new and I was lucky to find them) and since then the handling, ride and steering have been so much better.

The tyre place I went to have done a few ABS members' Omegas and their tyres have worn evenly afterwards. They said the camber on mine was within spec, and I know there's a possibility the insides will still wear due to saggy springs as per all the info on here, but for now I'm just keeping an eye on them and seeing what happens.

Unless I've misunderstood some of the info those in the know have shared on here, many sets of wishbones are replaced unnecessarily when it's really a combination of seized track rods buggering the alignment and worn springs putting the camber out (strut-top washers too maybe?) Anyway, mine are staying put!

[JasonH]

I'd change them. In fact I just have. Started to get inner tyre wear and I know I hadn't curbed the tyres. All looked fine and the car was driving very well.

Decided for £50 a pair of FAI wishbones were worth it before spending on wheel alignment and tyres. With the wishbones off I could see the bushes were starting to crack and probably therefore had too much give.

Car drives perfectly now.

Note that I always go for a little more toe in than the nominal (still in spec but on the positive limit i.e. +1mm each side, total toe +2mm).

Makes the car rock solid, stops the tramlining and twitchiness that you get from toe out.

[HerefordElite]

What wheels and tyres do you have Phil?

At about 75k my inner fronts were down to the wire. I had the alignment done and the seized track rods replaced by Supertyres in Maldon, Essex and then fitted the notoriously fragile Irmscher MV6 17 inch wheels with Pirelli P0 Rossos (all were pretty new and I was lucky to find them) and since then the handling, ride and steering have been so much better.

The tyre place I went to have done a few ABS members' Omegas and their tyres have worn evenly afterwards. They said the camber on mine was within spec, and I know there's a possibility the insides will still wear due to saggy springs as per all the info on here, but for now I'm just keeping an eye on them and seeing what happens.

Unless I've misunderstood some of the info those in the know have shared on here, many sets of wishbones are replaced unnecessarily when it's really a combination of seized track rods buggering the alignment and worn springs putting the camber out (strut-top washers too maybe?) Anyway, mine are staying put!

within spec just isn't good enough on migs apparently, there is quite a large tolerance on the camber and you could be way up the wrong end of the range but still green on the screen.
Green is ok for a lot of tyre specialist because they haven't got the time or experience but try Tony at WIM and he's played around with migs for a while to get his optimum settings of about 1.2deg i believe (mine were 2deg and still in the green)

[Phil B]

I'm on the old standard alloys 225/55/R16 with Avon zz3's. I think I may change the wishbones, I was worried that pattern parts might have less life than that remaining in my genuine ones fitted, but I've now heard others have had plenty of use out of them.

I used to get through wishbones on the escort every 4000 miles. I could never bring myself to fit the genuine ones, and began thinking perhaps they would last longer if I did. But then I changed the tyres to Firestones and Fuldas, and the problem disappeared. From what I can work out the cheapo previous tyres had square shoulders so used to track like hell wearing the bushes down, whereas the better (michelin made i think?) Fuldas  and Firestones were rounded so didn't bite and squabble all the time. Make sense?

[Pete1968]

I have a benign rubbing on the strut and the tyre wall along with the inner edges scrubbing off, so does that mean the bushes in my wishbones have had it and the camber will need doing too?

[Marks DTM Calib]

I'm on the old standard alloys 225/55/R16 with Avon zz3's. I think I may change the wishbones, I was worried that pattern parts might have less life than that remaining in my genuine ones fitted, but I've now heard others have had plenty of use out of them.

I used to get through wishbones on the escort every 4000 miles. I could never bring myself to fit the genuine ones, and began thinking perhaps they would last longer if I did. But then I changed the tyres to Firestones and Fuldas, and the problem disappeared. From what I can work out the cheapo previous tyres had square shoulders so used to track like hell wearing the bushes down, whereas the better (michelin made i think?) Fuldas  and Firestones were rounded so didn't bite and squabble all the time. Make sense?

Avons have a habit of tramlining badly as they wear....

[feeutfo]

I have a benign rubbing on the strut and the tyre wall along with the inner edges scrubbing off, so does that mean the bushes in my wishbones have had it and the camber will need doing too?

Depends,probably, have you had any work done recently? Your camber must be way out. Get it sorted asap. Or you risk a buggerd tyre or a blow out on the inside edge! Grab the wheel and pull it about or push it with your foot. If you see any play at all something wrong. The wheel should be rock solid. Could well be wishbones buggerd.

[Pete1968]

Right now I have a set of Goodyear Excellence 225/55 R16 on the motor.  They replaced a set of Michelin Pilots which were very impressive but boy were they expensive!  The Goodyears are decent tyres, low noise, grip towards that of the Michelins, good value too.

Fleabay seems to have some big variances on prices for wishbones with a brand new pair offered at under £30 along with £45 for one.

Reading through the forums I think the drop links could do with retiring as well.  Cheap as chips via the auction sites though, unless anyone has a better outlet?

[Pete1968]

Depends,probably, have you had any work done recently? Your camber must be way out. Get it sorted asap. Or you risk a buggerd tyre or a blow out on the inside edge! Grab the wheel and pull it about or push it with your foot. If you see any play at all something wrong. The wheel should be rock solid. Could well be wishbones buggerd.

Only work done that I can recall is the new disks and pads recently, the springs look okay.

I can gt it checked easily enough, garage is only down the road thankfully.

[Pete1968]

Nearside wishbones bushes gone.  Offside not bad.  Off to buy a pair of new ones for fitting at the weekend - and do the drop links while I'm at it.

[feeutfo]

 in case your not aware, lemforder supply vx who charge silly money. Autovox are about 120 a pair plus del. Mention oof you may get some off i hear. Others are cheaper but dont last.  

[Pete1968]

Sniffing around the web I've found that Lemforder UK are not far from me in Darlaston.  I'm guessing though this is a sales and sitribution site so they may not deal direct.  Probably worth me calling them to find out about buying wishbones.