Omega Owners Forum - steering box faulty ??

Turk

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Llanelli, Wales
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Drives: Two tractors...a chipped manual 2.5td CD (F/Lift '00) & a Hardly-Movinson XL1200

steering box faulty ??
12. Jan 2007 at 10:56

2.5td ('94) turns to the right "quicker than a go-kart" to the point that if I turned in any more the rear end seems to be on the verge of breaking away as if I had hit the loud pedal to hard.
The steering feels over responsive and "un-dampened" and does not return to central (straight ahead) position when turning to the right but is normal to the left.
Any one else suspect this to be a faulty steering box ?
Steering idler changed yesterday. Wishbones, wheel bearings, drop-links, rear main bushes and the engine cradle all done in the last 6 months.
Mileage is 217,000

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Marks DTM Calib Administrator Offline Ex Member Posts: 25671 Northern Hemisphere Gender: Drives: Astra J, Mum Bus, Dexta Tractor, 108 DMU wip	Re: steering box faulty ?? Reply #1 - 12. Jan 2007 at 12:05 With the engine running and not moving, is there: a) Little or no assist until the engine is revved? b) any free play in the steering?
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Turk Omega Baron Offline Posts: 3364 Llanelli, Wales Gender: Drives: Two tractors...a chipped manual 2.5td CD (F/Lift '00) & a Hardly-Movinson XL1200	Re: steering box faulty ?? Reply #2 - 12. Jan 2007 at 13:20 Steering is not heavy as in "no power steering" even at tick over. Steering idler was done yesterday, so there's no freeplay. Not that there was much b4 changing the idler.
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Matchless Omega Knight Offline Posts: 1746 Nottingham Gender: Drives: The one at the end of the drive	Re: steering box faulty ?? Reply #3 - 12. Jan 2007 at 14:32 I would guess steering box but check the front strut top bearing has not seized on one side, if it has then can cause a spring to 'wind up' so that it is trying to twist the strut round on that side.
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Turk Omega Baron Offline Posts: 3364 Llanelli, Wales Gender: Drives: Two tractors...a chipped manual 2.5td CD (F/Lift '00) & a Hardly-Movinson XL1200	Re: steering box faulty ?? Reply #4 - 12. Jan 2007 at 17:04 O.K, I'll check the top bearings. I had a "clonking" sound but that has gone after I re-tightened the top mounts, but I haven't actually checked the bearings. Cheers me deers
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TheBoy Administrator Offline TBE has an MOT! Posts: 64817 Brackley, Northants Gender: Drives: 98 MV6, 03 Elite, 00 25, 89 ZX10	Re: steering box faulty ?? Reply #5 - 12. Jan 2007 at 18:43 Could there be a geometry issue that needs sorting?
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Turk

Omega Baron

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Posts: 3364
Llanelli, Wales
Gender: male

Drives: Two tractors...a chipped manual 2.5td CD (F/Lift '00) & a Hardly-Movinson XL1200

Re: steering box faulty ??
Reply #6 - 13. Jan 2007 at 11:31

As for the geometric side of things, I've had the 4 wheel alignment and the camber checked (car is lowered with camber kit fitted).

As a short term diagnostic, I'll take off the top mount nuts, push the damper rod down a little and see if things improve with a dose of WD40. If that sorts it, I'll get new top mount bearings and do it properly.

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TheBoy

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TBE has an MOT!

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Brackley, Northants
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Drives: 98 MV6, 03 Elite, 00 25, 89 ZX10

Re: steering box faulty ??
Reply #7 - 13. Jan 2007 at 11:53

Turk wrote on 13. Jan 2007 at 11:31:

As for the geometric side of things, I've had the 4 wheel alignment and the camber checked (car is lowered with camber kit fitted).

As a short term diagnostic, I'll take off the top mount nuts, push the damper rod down a little and see if things improve with a dose of WD40. If that sorts it, I'll get new top mount bearings and do it properly.

I would still consider a full geometry check, even if the bearing fixes the problem. 4 wheel alignments are a bit of a waste of money imho.

Let us know how you get on with the bearing...

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Any posts are the result of my own views as a member of OOF, which may or may not be the same as my views as part of the Admin Team.

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Turk

Omega Baron

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Posts: 3364
Llanelli, Wales
Gender: male

Drives: Two tractors...a chipped manual 2.5td CD (F/Lift '00) & a Hardly-Movinson XL1200

Re: steering box faulty ??
Reply #8 - 15. Jan 2007 at 14:21

Tried a dose of Lithium spray grease via the top mount holes but no. change...except that the "clonking" over pot holes that was there b4 I tightened things up last week has now returned.

Somethings not right there, even if the steering box has gone.

I reckon it's worth doing the top mount bearings.

Any one got a diagram showing these bearings and a brief "how to", other than legs off completely ?
...and are they available as a pattern part or is it a main dealer jobbie ?

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