Molex

Evil For the stuff you can't do AVS (Anglia Vehicle Services) in Bury are very good and honest. M

What is the economy like with the 1.8T?

Thanks for the replies. M

Morning all May go after a petrol model soon and was wondering which were the better engines in a late mk1 or mk2 Octavia. Not after a vrs. What is the economy like if driven gently etc? M

Any idea what it would cost to replace? Car is 14 yrs old with a 120k on the clock. Plenty of life left in her but I won't repair if silly money. Might be worth more as parts than sold with the problem it has. Any thoughts? M

Thanks for the replies. M

Up on axle stands and running in gear with me underneath listening with stethoscope you mean? M

Tech Do you mean with the engine off and someone spinning the wheels while you listen? M

Hello again Further on from my issues with a grinding noise on my mk1. It already has new front bearings and now new tyres. Got it up on axle stands just now to check the drive shafts. It was out of gear with no handbrake on (rear wheels chocked). The front wheels are now completely unloaded. I got hold of both drive shafts and gave them a good tug. Nothing. No movement. So my question is do worn drive or diff shafts show physical symptoms of wear as a wheel bearing would if moved by hand? M

Just jacked her up and there does not seem to be enough reinforcement on the rails back from the official jacking point to allow space to get the axle stand in (just bought a pair on eBay). Where exactly do I jack on the subframe? I have a trolley jack and do use a block just don't want damage. Is there a pic for reference? Does the under tray have to come off? M

Gizmo I want the wheels off the ground as I need to check for play in the drive shafts. I think there is a diff bearing issue. M

Morning Is there a strong enough point under the engine to raise the front of the car with a trolley jack? I know the official jacking pionts but i need to get the front up and don't have axle stands. The front of the subframe has been mentioned in the jacking points sticky but a more visual guide would be good. M

Thanks Phil. M

Thanks for the reply K Not freed up a calliper before. What is the best method? M

Kent Discs & pads ok. Not excessively worn. Front n/s calliper binding slightly but able to spin when up on a jack. Looked underneath earlier. Both inboard drive shaft boots look ok. I take it diff bearings are not the same as drive shaft bearings. Any idea what d/s bearings cost to replace?

Update Had tyres changed today. Unfortunately they were not the cause of the problem. There is still a droning grinding noise from the front. Seems to change in character when the wheel is turned slightly at 50/60mph. Both front bearings have been replaced but I will check for play tomorrow. Any suggestions as to what it could be? M

Thanks GoneOff I'll have a look for those. M

LGM Provably £60ish per corner. Don't want any dodgy Chinese crap just European if poss. M

Hello No doubt you have been asked this numerous times so here goes. I have a 110 bhp 02 Octavia with no modifications. I do normal boring driving in it. Unlikely to do more than 90mph on rare occasions. Please recommend a tyre. I have heard good things about etyres as a supplier/fitter. What are they like. M

Just popped out for another test. Had the front tyres set to 32psi on the way out. Noise was present as it has been. Pulled off the road and dropped the pressures on the fronts to 25psi. Noise was reduced. Has to be the tyres. Would never have guessed that to be the cause. Many thanks to all. M

For tyres I have been recommended e-tyres as supplier and Hanccook tyres. Anyone had any experience of them? I have the standard wheels with mine - the 5 spoke type. M

Tom Took it out for a spin and the noise was not so obvious. I did forget to adjust the pressures though & all tyres are near the mark. I have them now at front 32psi/rear 28psi. Is that too high? M

Just popped out for a feel of the tyres Heavy. They're concave in shape - the edges are higher than the middle. The tread is more pronounced at the edges for sure. The rears fell flat to the touch. Will swap ends after breakfast. M

Thanks for the rec in Ipswich Mankee. Pasty - the tyres are virtually bown to the markers. I'll swap ends and see what happens. Thanks. M

Tom Just checked the liners. They look fine. The noise can be heard in any gear above 40. What else can wear out in the form of bearings at the front? Hopefully not the gearbox. M