Hi,

In the last couple of months I've replaced all the tyres on my 2006 Octavia Ambiente 1.9 PD Estate. The front tyres were both worn to the wire on the inside shoulders; the rear tyres were both out of shape (causing vibration similar to unbalanced wheels) and the tread was worn so that each tread block was higher on one side than the other - the sort of wear which you expect to see on a 4WD which has been driven a lot with the diff lock on.

The front tyres probably lasted about as long as I could have expected, but the rears certainly should have had several thousand more miles in them.

I seem to remember some conversation on this forum regarding toe-in, alignment, camber and perhaps other settings for all four wheels which were sometimes wrongly set from the factory, and which may cause these sorts of problems.

My questions:

• Is it likely that wheel alignment, camber etc. problems would result in the symptoms I've described?
  
• How do I find out the correct settings for my car?
  
• How do I find out the actual settings on my car? And
  
• Where can I go to get it fixed properly (I live in north Cumbria).
  

Thanks!

Hi,

My questions:

• Is it likely that wheel alignment, camber etc. problems would result in the symptoms I've described?
  
• How do I find out the correct settings for my car?
  
• How do I find out the actual settings on my car? And
  
• Where can I go to get it fixed properly (I live in north Cumbria).
  

Thanks!

Yes.

What will you do with this information?

Why?

Search http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

There should be a centre near-ish to you. They do full suspension geometry. They will know the settings. They will measure your exisiting settings. They will fix it properly.

Yes.

- Thanks.

What will you do with this information?

- Have the confidence that the service centre is setting it correctly. I have read that even some Skoda dealers are unaware of changes which were made between Octavia 1 and Octavia 2, and therefore you need to be on the ball to ensure that they use the correct settings.

Why?

- So that I can be confident that the work needs doing and the service centre is not inventing work for the purpose of making money.

Search http://www.alignmycar.co.uk/

- Thanks. There is a centre in Kendal, about 50 minutes drive from here.

Mine is doing exactly the same. I'm amazed how much the rear tyres have worn in 22K miles. They were like new when I got the car !

I wouldn't always assumbe the dealers know everything.

I've just had my front tyres replaced this morning, old ones well worn on the inner shoulder. The tyre place offered to do it, but I'm waiting

a couple of weeks to get it to a recommened place near me instead.