Hi all,

I get a droning noise from the rear of our vRS LE estate when driving along. I haven't had the car long but it doesn't sound right to me.

Is this likely down to the commonly reported rear geometry issues the Octavia suffers from? Or is it down to the Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres, as some seem to suggest?

If it's geometry, what are the chances of the dealer checking and adjusting under warranty? Any tips on how to raise/describe the issue with the dealer?

Cheers,

Dan

The dealer wWILL know what the problem is, guaranteed, although they may say that its not common, IT IS. Getting my rears changed tomorrow costing me £150.00 for thr tyres. The dealer dosent want to know in my case but there are instances that they will do the geometry under warranty. Its a bit of pot luck depending on the dealer really.

I doubt a dealer will have the full equipment required to check all four wheels for alignment, camber, toe in/out etc.

I took mine at six months old & 6000 miles to Blackboots Wheels in Motion in Chesham having read about them on here

All four wheels were adjusted from memory, two of them only very slightly, and the car drives much better.

The steering is spot on, and I mean perfect, now. Before it was very, very slightly off centre at speed. The car also feels more stable.

They provide a very professional, helpful and friendly service and, judging by the expensive machinery turning up, those in the know are using them.

I have the before and after measurements somewhere for those more technically minded than me if anyone is interested.

The work was £60 + VAT. Well worth it!

I can highly recommend them.

Hi all,

I get a droning noise from the rear of our vRS LE estate when driving along. I haven't had the car long but it doesn't sound right to me.

Is this likely down to the commonly reported rear geometry issues the Octavia suffers from? Or is it down to the Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres, as some seem to suggest?

If it's geometry, what are the chances of the dealer checking and adjusting under warranty? Any tips on how to raise/describe the issue with the dealer?

Cheers,

Dan

Hi

We had the droning noise at 11000 miles with the Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres - took it in to the dealer and they swapped them to the front and adjusted the geometry.

We still got the droning from the front as the tyres were now sawtoothed but it should get less and less as they wear back to normal again - got a full set of conti winter contacts on at the moment.

One immediate difference was that we lost abouut 80 miles per tank - took it back to the dealer and they rechecked the rear geometry but has been getting aprox 400 miles when the fuel light comes on for the past few tankfuls instead of the usual 480 miles.

We decided to take the car to a specialist (CLCM, Edinburgh) as we wanted the front checked and adjusted as the steering always seems a bit heavy. The guy did the 4 wheel geometry and the back and front were out. He adjusted and so far with the tank filled we got 493 miles when the fuel light came on. The steering is also lighter.

I also had bother with my Astravan - slid on ice at the start of last year and it has been scubbing the front left tyre and felt strange to drive - bodyshop adjusted geometry several times but still the same and veering to the left. CLCM had it overnight to adjust the camber on the front left wheel - drove it home and it is much better - feels safe to drive now and doesnt wander to the left - the bodyshop couldn't see the camber problem let alone adjust it.

My advice is take the car to a specialist then you know it is right - the price for the van to be adjusted was just under £50 - well worth it.

Cheers

Dave

Edited 21 January, 201115 yr by FatblokeVRS

Dealer agreed to adjust geometry and changed wheels front to back. Droning still continues from front and handling doesn't feel right as wheels are 'out of shape'. Now pushing for replacement tyres.

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like it does need some attention then!

I'll try the dealers first but if that fails, can anyone recommend a specialist in West Yorkshire?

I would say there is also some vibration felt through the steering wheel. Possibly down to misshapen tyres?

Thanks,

Dan

My vRS has recently developed the droning and uneven rear tyre wear (March 2010 car with 13,500 miles)

I've just had to replace the front tyres, so I've put the new tyres on the back. I need to get it into the local dealer and see what they say on the geometry issue. I've always considered the steering too heavy too, so probably related.

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like it does need some attention then!

I'll try the dealers first but if that fails, can anyone recommend a specialist in West Yorkshire?

I would say there is also some vibration felt through the steering wheel. Possibly down to misshapen tyres?

Thanks,

Dan

I had the same problem with my VRS estate with Dunlops on. Under 8000 miles and droning. Took it to DM Keith Bradford who agreed to due wheel alignment under warranty no problem. They took it to JCT600 VW on Sticker Lane as they have the equipment. Got the car back and still have same noises but think this is the tyres which are all swatoothed on the outer edges and also have strange lego type spots on the outer edge. I am still wondering whether to take this to "Which" to see what Skoda UK say.

Cheers for that pg220. I'll give my local D M Keith a try then and see what they say.

Funnily enough, I have just been speaking to DM Keith Huddersfield about this issue....I got something less of a useful response.

DM Keith Service ' The wheels are supposed to align themselves once you move off, but they struggle to do that if the car is carrying load...so there isnt much we can do'

Me 'estate cars are generally chosen to carry loads in the back are they not?'

DM Keith 'Yes I guess so'

Me 'so you are saying that its a design flaw?'

DM Keith 'No I wouldnt say that...we can have a look, but there isnt any adjustments we can do without changing skodas settings'

Me 'Wonderful..think I better speak to SUK'

SO guys, if you get anywhere with another branch of DM Keith, would be very grateful to hear what happened.

I had the same problem with my VRS estate with Dunlops on. Under 8000 miles and droning. Took it to DM Keith Bradford who agreed to due wheel alignment under warranty no problem. They took it to JCT600 VW on Sticker Lane as they have the equipment. Got the car back and still have same noises but think this is the tyres which are all swatoothed on the outer edges and also have strange lego type spots on the outer edge. I am still wondering whether to take this to "Which" to see what Skoda UK say.

Yes, do contact "Which". Skoda is fobbing us all off using it's dealer network to misinform us. Skoda needs to resolve this at a corporate level & provide information to it's customers. For example, does a geometry change provide a lasting cure? Is this more prevalent with certain tyres, is there a make/model which works best on these cars? . I have the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GTs which are widely criticised but I note that a more recent car on the dealers forecourt has the same tyres.

Once you have been in touch with "Which" please post their response. I will be speaking to my local Trading Standards today & post anything useful from them.

Also check out the "Lego wheels - skoda resonse" thread.

Scott

I doubt a dealer will have the full equipment required to check all four wheels for alignment, camber, toe in/out etc.

I took mine at six months old & 6000 miles to Blackboots Wheels in Motion in Chesham having read about them on here

All four wheels were adjusted from memory, two of them only very slightly, and the car drives much better.

The steering is spot on, and I mean perfect, now. Before it was very, very slightly off centre at speed. The car also feels more stable.

They provide a very professional, helpful and friendly service and, judging by the expensive machinery turning up, those in the know are using them.

I have the before and after measurements somewhere for those more technically minded than me if anyone is interested.

The work was £60 + VAT. Well worth it!

I can highly recommend them.

Thanks , I am getting an alignment Saturday and would be happy if I could provide correct specs that work.

Thanks , I am getting an alignment Saturday and would be happy if I could provide correct specs that work.

If you are going to a specialist, they should have the settings for your car already.

Happy to dig mine out though.

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like it does need some attention then!

I'll try the dealers first but if that fails, can anyone recommend a specialist in West Yorkshire?

I would say there is also some vibration felt through the steering wheel. Possibly down to misshapen tyres?

Thanks,

Dan

Hi danrooke

This is a place in Leeds where we dealt with those few times. We are well aware of that problem as within last 2 months we had 2 less then 2 years old Octavias with this problem. Read some review about our place that is alignment specialist.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/217475-4-wheel-alignment-in-leeds-bradford-area/

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/218818-amazing-wheel-alignment-in-west-yorkshire-leeds/

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/225249-abc-car-service-leeds/

Problem seems to be that vehicles "are within spec" but it doesnot work for car. 3 days ago I had 60 reg Octavia with 8100 miles and rear tyres started sawtoothing. When we tested it turns out car is WITHIN SPEC. I know some dealer wouldnt even touch the car because - it seems to be right. Well, if it is then how come our customers car had issues with tyres? Despite correct figures we adjusted rear to help with this problem. It was a matter of a cosmetic change but this is how much is needed with this issue. Mentioned car came "WITHIN SPEC" and left that way as well but with adjustment done. Certain places dont look at it right. To bad I cant convince dealers to use us so we help to create more happy drivers.

Edited 20 January, 201214 yr by allias