I know the issue of wheel alignment/sawtoothing/noise has been done to death but I'm experiencing an unusual noise when driving my VRS, but its not a constant drone or rumble, rather a pulsating sound, almost like a helicopter but quieter. The sound is speed related, the pulsating frequency increasing with speed, even at 70 it is stll there.

I've recently(500miles ago) replaced both front tyres with Good Years and the rears are the original Dunlops. There is no sign of sawtoothing or uneven wear and there is no vibration through the steering and car drives as good as ever.

So I think its either the new Good Years (Efficient Grip) or something mechanical. The car is a 2011 VRS CR DSG hatch with 225/40x18 tyres. It has done about 15000 miles.

Any suggestions whether to start back at tyre fitter or Skoda dealer? Any pictures of sawtoothing? My rears look fine, but would be good to know what to look for.

Thanks for any advice.

I know the issue of wheel alignment/sawtoothing/noise has been done to death but I'm experiencing an unusual noise when driving my VRS, but its not a constant drone or rumble, rather a pulsating sound, almost like a helicopter but quieter. The sound is speed related, the pulsating frequency increasing with speed, even at 70 it is stll there.

I've recently(500miles ago) replaced both front tyres with Good Years and the rears are the original Dunlops. There is no sign of sawtoothing or uneven wear and there is no vibration through the steering and car drives as good as ever.

So I think its either the new Good Years (Efficient Grip) or something mechanical. The car is a 2011 VRS CR DSG hatch with 225/40x18 tyres. It has done about 15000 miles.

Any suggestions whether to start back at tyre fitter or Skoda dealer? Any pictures of sawtoothing? My rears look fine, but would be good to know what to look for.

Thanks for any advice.

sounds like tyre noise , but could be a wheel bearing?

I had this on my (then brand new) 2006 Octavia estate.

Wheel bearings changed under warranty, no difference.

Changed the rear tyres and the noise vanished. The original tyres were factory fitted Dunlops.

If you run the palm of your hand in the direction of the tyre's rotation and then in the opposite direction you would feel a difference, there would be more resistance against your hand in one direction compared to the other, that difference will be the sawtoothing and isn't always visible with the naked eye.

I found the inner shoulders of the rear tyres suffered the most.

I had this on my (then brand new) 2006 Octavia estate. Wheel bearings changed under warranty, no difference. Changed the rear tyres and the noise vanished. The original tyres were factory fitted Dunlops. If you run the palm of your hand in the direction of the tyre's rotation and then in the opposite direction you would feel a difference, there would be more resistance against your hand in one direction compared to the other, that difference will be the sawtoothing and isn't always visible with the naked eye. I found the inner shoulders of the rear tyres suffered the most.

Thats helpful regarding checking for Sawtoothing. The first time I've seen how to check. There is no visible signs. I'll check it when I get back to the car later. I suppose I could try swapping tyre front to back too.

Try swapping the wheels front to rear and see if it goes away.

Here is the example of sawtoothing tyre. Easier to feel the difference when you rub you hand against tyre one way and then opposite. One way you will feel it smooth - other will be catching your skin. If its like that on yours - it started sawtoothing.

Solution: despite general opinion its not rotation front to back, as tyre will travel same direction and it wont fix it. Ideal solution is to swap them side to side to change direction of travel. That way you have a chance (only chance) to even this out. It all depend on your suspension and tyre type. That is impossible with directional tyres (thats why I always stay away of directional tyres because of possible problems like this) so only option would be to make a opposite spec to the one its creating problem to "eat" even thhead and then bring it back to right angles. I would suggest that to be done only by someone who knows what to do and understand alignment more then setting just a "angles spec".

Sawtoothing problem on Skoda`s? It down to cosmeting adjustment on back. Like VRs drivers are mostly aggresive and car is set for 50year old grand-pa who brakes 95% speed before getting into corner. - Simples.

I've got a similar problem - just had an alignment - had the tyres changed front to back (to even out wear). Yes they're louder, and I put that down to something like the sawtooth issue mentioned above, but also I get a rhythmic scuffing or wobbling sound (and I had all wheels balanced).

The alignment place reckon it's the tyres - the wear on the differential tyre more noticeable on the front than rear, so I'll try putting the spare on (it's unused) - if it goes away they're right.

Also got 10mm free play in the steering wheel that wasn't there before. Steering wheel was offset about 10 minutes (if you look at the wheel as a clock face) pre-alignment.

Allias - thanks. Checked last night and could feel the 'edge' running my had back the the opposie direction to normal forward rotation.

I too thought it better to swap sides but was going to check here first and you confirm this. As to what to do?

Car has done just over 15K miles before it became noticable and it was when the rear was laden over the weekend. Driving yesterday with just me i really had to listen before I could hear it.

I dont suppose I'll get much joy from Skoda and as I'm self employed don't want to take time off to take it in. I think I'll get the 4-wheel alignmen5t checked to see if all as it should be first.

swapping sides depends on the tyres in question and if they are directional or not.

They're the OE Dunlop Sport Maxx. So not directional.

I had similar issues a few years ago on a Mk 1 Octy, transpired it was a damaged wheel. The outside of the wheel ran true but the inner edge which is further from the spokes & therefore has less support had a slightly deformed rim, when rotated on the ramps you could see it had gone slightly out of shape. Only cure was a new wheel. These were aftermarket alloys & I managed to do 2 more in the next 12 months so obviously a soft alloy

CJSVRS. Make sure you get print out of work carried out. I can check it for you when they done.

They're the OE Dunlop Sport Maxx. So not directional.

It is my recollection that the Dunlops are directional.

I changed to asymmetric Michelin PS3s to avoid a re-occurance of the problem.

just to clarify what is the general consensus as to which is the best tyre to avoid this sawtooth problem? I have Goodyear f1 gsd and they have done this also.

Ive been having the same noise on my 2011 VRS for the last 3k....ive just had a look at the rears and they are like 50p on the inner shoulders!! Mine are still the OE Dunlops and cant see any directional indicators so is it worth swapping sides, or is best to replace them? Ive only just replaced the front 2 Dunlops after the front passenger tyre had a big bulge from the mother of all potholes!

Non directional tyres dont eliminate/prevent sawtoothing problem. It only help to possibly to stop it or fix it when occurs. Only properly set alignment can prevent this no matter what tyres you use.

I had my alignment done yesterday , one rear was a fraction out all rest fine. Tester reckoned he sees this all the time on cars with octavia platform but certain tyres are more prone than others especially my Goodyear gsd's and dunlops which are directional tread pattern . Mine have gone like 50p's on inside edge and drone constantly after 10000 miles. Going to try new Goodyear asy 2's next , hopefully will get more milage this time!

I had my alignment done yesterday , one rear was a fraction out all rest fine. Tester reckoned he sees this all the time on cars with octavia platform but certain tyres are more prone than others especially my Goodyear gsd's and dunlops which are directional tread pattern . Mine have gone like 50p's on inside edge and drone constantly after 10000 miles. Going to try new Goodyear asy 2's next , hopefully will get more milage this time!

You not the first one. I had 3 or 4 Octavias that where less then 18months old and they all had read with fraction out what was causing noise from back. Seems they come set wrong from factory.