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[wolfie]

hi folks a veteran mot tester i may be but any advice on my new (new to us anyway) elite would be great .
every now and then it just seems to dart slightly to the right? has a new wishbone to o/s/f.
do the power steering racks suffer from weak spots in them ?or maybe a traction control fault? any ideas would be great

[Darth Loo-knee]

Is the Camber out?

[wolfie]

to be honest i havent checked as we have only had it a week and the wife has taken control of the keys, she says it feels like its gliding momentarily when it happens.
do you know the camber settings? thanks

[Darth Loo-knee]

I don't know the settings mate, you need a specialist really to do it.
Get on your knees in front of the car, have a look if the wheel/tyres are vertical from the floor or leaning in at the top..... Have a good look at the wear on the inside edge of the front tyres, I found mine worn on the inside edge when I was changing the oil, I had it jacked up, didn't see it before.
Post your find after

[Bandit127]

Any reason for not doing the pair of wishbones? Seems like that might imbalance the front.

You obviously know your stuff so I am assuming the tracking was done after the o/s/f wishbone was done. I assumed that putting new ones on mine would put it all back straight again and I was wrong. By a long way.

Rear wheel steer is a possibility too. There was another thread about this a while ago, subframe mounts...

Camber should be about 1.1 deg IIRC.

[wolfie]

great stuff will check camber. bought from a garage who had replaced the wishbone, although i did check the n/s and all seems ok. although the o/s/f tyre is bald on inner edge, and i assumed this was caused by a worn wishbone/ball joint.thanks will check camber though

[Matchless]

Set camber to 1deg 20 min.

Check out the strut top bearings, do they turn smoothly with the steering input or in lumps? I have the same symptoms of abrupt small deviations in direction and one top bearing is definately shot but I wont get to confirm the fix until xmas hols.
Im hoping to clean up the bearing tracks and fill with new balls.

[SteveMJ]

I find my Omega is prone to 'tramlining' which is aggrevated by incorrect tyre pressures - this is easy (and cheap) to check for.

Steve

[bappy]

the oem setting for camber is, i believe, 1.1 deg.

as the cars are now getting a tad old and the suspension is softer, dial it back to just under 1 deg. Thats what tony at WIM did on mine.

is 57 mins on one side and 1 deg 1 min on the other. when I'm sat in it the extra weight pulls it neatly to 1.1 on both sides

[feeutfo]

haveing just changed rear donut bushes on mine, i would suggest adding these to you list of investigations. Although i fitted carlton/senator bushes which are firmer, i can report a marked improvement in handeling/tram lineing and far less correction required at the wheel.

I have not experienced the level of deviation your post describes but sounds to me like an extreme case of the usual Omega handling problems. As a tester you have an advantage,and the usual recommendation is to examin the car for,
Front wishbone bushes, wear, tears
Stearing idler, play
Broken springs, difficult to spot.
Rectify all issues. Only then should you take the car for a Full Geometry set up as any subsequent changeing of parts will need another set up. Wheels in motion or similar do a goodjob. See also the oof map for other recommended companys near you. You need an operator who knows the Omega set up as the factory settings are so wide as to be almost useless.
 Tracking on its own from most usual tire places is simply a waist of time and money as this is only a fraction of the problem.

In addition, you may also want to check,
Track rod ends.
Wishbone knuckles/king pin.
Stearing box(a nut on this to adjust play, dont over tighten)
Rear bushes outer(donut)and inner.
Feel a bit like teaching you to suck eggs but there you go. Hth

[wolfie]

hi folks i can not believe i have left it this long!, but i changed my pirelli's on the front for a pair of budget but good tyres as the pirelli's were worn very low right on the edges. this has unbelievably worked!!! i never would have thought it or would have done so earlier, but after eliminating all your ideas seemed the only thing left. thanks a mil.  
NOW it has started to slip out of 3rd or 4th gear! bloody thing lol
we love this car dearly but is proving to be a little mare!
thanks for help guys
wolfie

[Martin_1962]

I would have said steering idler after mine.

Gearbox try old change but check for the thrust washer in the sump.

JPAT do a replacement metal thrust washer

[Chris_H]

but i changed my pirelli's on the front for a pair of budget but good tyres as the pirelli's were worn very low right on the edges. this has unbelievably worked!!

Only just read your thread, sorry.  Low tread causes my Elite on low-profile rubber to wander on ridges in the road.  Continentals and Dunlops the same.

[blob]

hi folks i can not believe i have left it this long!, but i changed my pirelli's on the front for a pair of budget but good tyres as the pirelli's were worn very low right on the edges. this has unbelievably worked!!! i never would have thought it or would have done so earlier, but after eliminating all your ideas seemed the only thing left. thanks a mil.  
NOW it has started to slip out of 3rd or 4th gear! bloody thing lol
we love this car dearly but is proving to be a little mare!
thanks for help guys
wolfie

Same here had p7s £120 a go they kept scrubing on the edges & the car at low speeds wold wallow & veer espetily in ruts etc the wishbones r new as well. had to get new tyres last week times r hard so i got the cheapest option which where acselera 225/55r16w £69.00 fitted Wow what adifference the car runs true with no veer or wallowig its like driving a new car.
pps
they did not feel to good in the wet though