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[jamescropley]

Hi guys,

Having just fixed my omega from the last problem, i have noticed another....

Whilst driving at low speeds and over any bumps in the road, both wheels seem to shudder as if they are losing grip. Higher speeds, it's a lot less noticable.

I have had the car up on axels to see if it has any play in the wheels but there isn't. The movement does not affect the steering in any way either and i don't feel it through the steering.

Doe's anyone have any ideas?

James

[rustym95]

engine mount gone?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Check the wishbone bushes....

[jamescropley]

Took the old girl to the local garage, guy said he was 90% sure it was the mounting struts that needed replacing and quoted me £168 Inc!

He said he couldn't be absolutely sure until they had been fitted...

He said that the bushes don't look that worn.

I've seen that 2 front struts don't cost a lot and wondering if this is a difficult job?

Many thanks.

[Andy H]

Took the old girl to the local garage, guy said he was 90% sure it was the mounting struts that needed replacing and quoted me £168 Inc!

He said he couldn't be absolutely sure until they had been fitted...

He said that the bushes don't look that worn.

I've seen that 2 front struts don't cost a lot and wondering if this is a difficult job?

Many thanks.

Do you mean McPherson strut?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacPherson_strut

The bit that fails is the 'strut insert' which is just a shock absorber with a piston rod strong enough to take the additional forces that go with being part of the suspension strut. If you can bounce the car up and down without adequate damping then change the strut.

The Omega has 1/4 of a ton of cast iron sitting on quite soft engine mounts. I would have a good look at the engine mounts, the crossmember mounting bolts, the front wishbone bushes, the track rod ends, the steering idler and the strut top mounts.

The front wishbone bushes aren't really visible, the first sign of them becoming worn is often uneven front tyre wear.

[Essex Pete]

Juddering like that is unlikely to be engine mounts, although possible.  I would be looking at wishbone bushes, bottom balljoint, or the strut top mounts.  Normally from the balljoint or strut tops you would hear a knocking over bumps, but not always.  Wishbone bushes will cause a knock, or a bump steer effect when braking, where the car will wander around a bit. 

If you can afford it i would replace the complete wishbones and the topmounts for peace of mind.  The car will need the tracking resetting when either is changed, so worth doing in one go if possible

[jamescropley]

Had a second opinion done as 90% wasn't good enough for me.

Turns out its the anti roll bar links.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Is this a shudder or a knock?

You wont get a shudder from ARB drop links

[Essex Pete]

Im with Mark on this one

[Andy H]

When I had worn roll bar links on my Carlton it sounded like there was a mad castanet player under the front of car but I don't recall any juddering.

[goonv6]

This is the old trick question isn't it? My money's on wishbones too but the drop links have probably also gone. I replaced both on mine and chucked on some roll bar rubbers for good measure.

[Neil_MV6]

Do you mean McPherson strut?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacPherson_strut

The bit that fails is the 'strut insert' which is just a shock absorber with a piston rod strong enough to take the additional forces that go with being part of the suspension strut. If you can bounce the car up and down without adequate damping then change the strut.

The Omega has 1/4 of a ton of cast iron sitting on quite soft engine mounts. I would have a good look at the engine mounts, the crossmember mounting bolts, the front wishbone bushes, the track rod ends, the steering idler and the strut top mounts.

The front wishbone bushes aren't really visible, the first sign of them becoming worn is often uneven front tyre wear.

I can relate to this issue also. I have some anti roll bar mounts to go on, but what do the Strut-top mounts look like? Are they just the rubber cushions at the top of the shock?

Also, where are the crossmember mounting bolts located?

Cheers
Neil

[Andy H]

Also, where are the crossmember mounting bolts located?

In this picture you can see the end of the crossmember. The crossmember mounting bolts go through the chassis rail and the the crossmember (2 each side of car). You can see the holes to access the bolts (but not the bolts themselves) in this photo. 

[Essex Pete]

The strut top mounts as you say are a domed piece of rubber.  There is also a bearing that sits beneath the top mount that needs replacing. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Sorry but, I dont buy the top mounts causing this.....and a subframe bolt would knock.

The classic is worn front wishbone bushes which requir levering to see if they are ok.....