Morning all. Im having new rear tyres fitted next week and then taking the car straight to an alignment specialist to have the new rear settings applied. I found the settings for the rear:

Old values : -1°45' ± 30'

New values : -1°20' ± 30'

but what happens with regards to the front? Also is there any downside to having the new settings on the rear, such as worse handling? my car is a 2008 BTW.

Dan

Interesting. Have just written to the local service manager about my 2009 Octavia VRS LE and the rear wheel alignment after my tyres wore unevenly on the inside. All four wheels were buckled and I had to refurbish them along with a change of both rear tyres. £430 - not amused to say the least. The front tyres went ages ago with chunks out of the side walls where the wheel rims had bitten and the rear tyres were screwed at less than 40000 Miles - the other 3/4s of the tread had loads of depth left. - I think the alloys weren't up to average British road conditions and the rear wheel alignment was out. The humming noise has gone now....sounded like an Estelle ;-) and its a much better drive. Hoping to have the alignment sorted under warranty soon...

I was even less amused when they quoted me for the tyres and a new set of wheels at £250 each before they would entertain sorting the noise out.

If you go to a decent alignment place with a Hunter rig or similar they have the correct settings anyway if they are keeping the machine up to date.

Just seen you are on IoW - you don't know an OU Professor called Tony Hirst do you?

Its going to Advanced Automotive over here. They have a hunter set up. I dont know any OU professors

Had mine changed from what ever to your quoted values. Cant say I noticed any change in rear grip. As it was done in conjunction with the front, turn in was hugely better as a result. As was front tyre wear.

Now after 10kish noticed the absence of feathering although at speed on autobahn there is a slight hum creeping back. So although not a fan of swapping tyres may do so just to reduce noise - if it takes another 10000 to hum point, that will be about the tyre life anyway. (hankook ventus evo2 245 45 17) may have them again. Along with another alignment check.

Been thinking of getting mine fully aligned, aoughly how much does that cost?

Cost me about £70 iirc

Thanks, will definately think about it, wheels are wearing slightly uneavenly. I know I need new bushes so that may be the problem but when I'm spending £345 at Skoda to replace them £70 on a full alignment will dot the i's and cross the t's

Been thinking of getting mine fully aligned, aoughly how much does that cost?

As above, about £70. I just paid £72 (£60 + VAT) at Wheels in Motion, Chesham - Hunter Hawk Eye rig.

With a set of new tyres costing £520 all-in, it's worth it to prevent premature / uneven tyre wear. Car also drives beautifully and straight as an arrow...........

I dont know any OU professors

Sorry, a bit like Yanks asking anyone British if they know David Beckham!

He wasn't an OU professor 25 years ago when we used to hitchhike round the country to gigs LOL.

No worries. Fingers crossed its going to make a big difference.

Hi

 

I just got my 2009 VRS (CR 170 limited edition - pre FL)

 

Was there a certain year that Skoda fixed this issue or is it safe to assume that if you have never had the alignment corrected that it is on the old settings?

 

thanks

Been thinking of getting mine fully aligned, aoughly how much does that cost?

Prices seem to vary greatly.  I paid £49.  The operator was very thorough and set as close to the values I asked for as possible rather than only within range allowable.

Hi

 

I just got my 2009 VRS (CR 170 limited edition - pre FL)

 

Was there a certain year that Skoda fixed this issue or is it safe to assume that if you have never had the alignment corrected that it is on the old settings?

 

thanks

If it's pre-FL assume it's on the old settings.

 

What's most important is how your tyres actually where.  If they are wearing evenly & not saw-toothing then I wouldn't worry too much about if the are old or new settings.

 

If you are getting some inner edge wear or sawtoothing on the rear wheels then I'd be aiming for about -1 degree camber on a vRS & -0.8degree on the less sporty models.

If it's pre-FL assume it's on the old settings.

 

What's most important is how your tyres actually where.  If they are wearing evenly & not saw-toothing then I wouldn't worry too much about if the are old or new settings.

 

If you are getting some inner edge wear or sawtoothing on the rear wheels then I'd be aiming for about -1 degree camber on a vRS & -0.8degree on the less sporty models.

 

Thanks... I will have to check the inside edge. I can see that there is a little saw-tooth pattern on the outer edges though.

 

A few days ago i had no idea what saw-toothing was, then I looked at my tyres and though" ah... that's what they mean!"

 

There is quite a bit of road noise from the back end and I'm sure the bearings are fine so I am guessing something could do with some adjustment.