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[sophos9]

Car has been handling pretty bad for ages. Wishbones, droplinks and idler arm all changed within a few miles of each other and a full geometry setup, that sorted some of the weirdness...

I'm left however with the car still feeling a bit like it wants to wander and something weird with the steering.

With the car running and the steering wheel in a neutral position, when I turn the wheel I have about 1inch either way of 'free' movement i.e. does not start to turn the wheels... I'm guessing this is whats at the cause of the remaining wandering? Some time ago I got rid of all the slack from the steering box however have not checked it again since all the work was done.

Now heres the thing, sometimes the steering wheel does NOT have the problem with free movement?

Any best guesses where this intermittent free movement is coming from??

Thanks in advance

[Agemo]

Looking like power steering system to me, have you tried bleeding it by leaving it on full lock for a few seconds? (both locks) I am surprised the fault was not found when the steering geometry was done.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

[feeutfo]

i have driven a phew omegas now and all have had this inch of play feeling you discribed. I have put this down to the box play you suggest. I have hurd that a box has more play than a rack?? Dont know myself but it does make you wonder. Only thought, was the correct torquing proceedure followed when doing up the wishbone  bolts? Ie loose on the ground with the car settled and suspension taking the full load of the car, then tighten to 120 ft lbs and then angle tighten the rest?(check thats correct im working from memory). If not the bushes may well have gone again. Other than that, i guess check track rod ends and the rear end of the car?

[sophos9]

Thanks for the reply... The geometry setup was done by STS and they left the steering wheel off centre - going back for its 500mile check soon so will put my parts on

Do you know how often should you change the power steering fluid, can you tell me a bit more about the bleeding procedure?

[sophos9]

Wishbones were new about 500miles ago and should have been done correctly (I did not do them however the bloke that did should have been aware)...

I'm wondering about play in track rod ends as they form part of the steering mechanism. To test play, do I check for available play from 3 and 9 oclock?

Should there be any play at all?

[Weds]

full geometry setup,

Was it a proper full setup or just tracking?

[sophos9]

Hi,

Was full front and rear camber, caster and toe

[Marks DTM Calib]

Well, you need to check for play in the steering components (idler, track rod ends etc).

You can also dial out some of the box play. Engine on, steering wheel turned a quarter turn and wind the bolt on top of the box in up to about a quarter turn whilst wiggling the steering wheel to feel the play reduce. Dont over do it though or the box goes stiff!

[sophos9]

Will give those instructions a go tonight, when I did it some time ago, I did not put the steering wheel quarter of a turn...

[feeutfo]

 i think you need a trip or 2 to wim. 1 to diagnose, go away and fix whats wrong then go back and do the final FULL geometry set up. Maybe give Tony a ring. Hes i good guy.

[sophos9]

It def needs someone who really knows what they are doing to look over and diagnose otherwise I'll end up replacing everything and still have a problem!!!

Idler is fine, no play and replaced in the last 10k

Will try Marks suggestion tonight, can someone confirm how to check for track rod ends pls?

[TheBoy]

It def needs someone who really knows what they are doing to look over and diagnose otherwise I'll end up replacing everything and still have a problem!!!

Idler is fine, no play and replaced in the last 10k

Will try Marks suggestion tonight, can someone confirm how to check for track rod ends pls?

Simply look for play in them.

[sophos9]

Cheers

[sophos9]

Got this resolved at Vauxhall today, cost £273!!

I've never read about this problem before however it turned out to be a servotronic electronic control module failed. Dont have the part number but its what controls the amount of assistance that the power steering gives, there are 2 one for the left and one for the right

This had failed, diagnostic had to be done by a technician. Tech2 did not pick it up, reported servotronic was fine. The technician has been with Vx for about 15years and remembered this problem a few times - luckily they had the part in stock.

Steering is now awesome, straight with good resistance either way, car drives perfect! The Omega has done this for the last 3years so now its going to be great to be able to actually drive it!!!

What I was experiencing:
Wandering
Pulling to one side
Constant adjustments to steering which changes at differing speeds
Always having to correct any turn
Random pulling
'Slack' in the steering wheel
Steering wheel slightly over to one side

Hope this helps!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Sounds like a right load of 'dangle berries'....there are only two items in the control setup for servotronic and these are:

Servotroinc control module (a small relay type device behind the glove box)
Steering box....which simply has an actuator in it.

So, what exactly did they replace!