never done that as we normally can't get the movement needed to make a difference to the camber, subframes as a rule don't move far or at all due to location pins etc, I have got a bit from undoing the bolts on the bottom of the strut where it meets the knuckle before but not all cars have that. If this came into us i would be replacing the strut but thats only my view

There is also a bit of movement on the ball joint.

The first time mine was set up slackening off the subframe mounts, ball joints and console mounts enabled the front cambers to be set pretty much bang on.

It all needs moving a few mm to the right to even it all up from the above print outs.

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Well, looking at that printout, something is definitely wrong. Assuming they know how to use the alignment equipment properly and that it is correctly callibrated, the rear looks reasonable, but the NS front has too much negative camber and the OS front has too little castor.

No wonder it pulls to one side. Even if you don't drive it in a sporting manner, it will handle like a pig like that and, apart from being unpleasant to drive, I don't know what it will do for your tyre wear. It needs sorting. I am not familiar with the suspension adjustment of an Octavia but if the normal adjustment mechanism won't allow enough range to get it within limits then something is bent, broken or damaged.

If moving the subframe slightly is a recognised way of adjusting the suspension alignment, then by all means try that. But don't put up with it as it is!

Edited 3 May, 201313 yr by Stuarted

The castor will change as you adjust toe and camber, plus it really needs a good bounce of the front end before checking the castor again. The castor isn't adjustable as such, as long as it is within limits and pretty even side to side I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Checking for top mount wear and console bush wear would be a good idea though.

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The castor will change as you adjust toe and camber, plus it really needs a good bounce of the front end before checking the castor again. The castor isn't adjustable as such, as long as it is within limits and pretty even side to side I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Agreed, you don't adjust the castor directly, the castor reading will alter as you change other things. That is where the skill of of accurate wheel alignment comes in!

However it is clearly not within limits and differs considerably from one side to the other so it is definitley wrong and needs fixing.

Edited 3 May, 201313 yr by Stuarted

Thanks for all your help on this.

The guys that did it did mention that they could move the subframe slightly to equalise the values more but that it wasn't a solution to the problem.

If i take it in to skoda with the printout, do you think there is a chance they'll have the foggiest idea what to look for with a view to sorting the problem?

At the moment I'm working on the theory that a pothole has bent something or dislodged something. I can't recall any major ones but it seems quite likely.

Thanks for all your help on this.

The guys that did it did mention that they could move the subframe slightly to equalise the values more but that it wasn't a solution to the problem.

If i take it in to skoda with the printout, do you think there is a chance they'll have the foggiest idea what to look for with a view to sorting the problem?

At the moment I'm working on the theory that a pothole has bent something or dislodged something. I can't recall any major ones but it seems quite likely.

A very skilled alignment specialist might, possibly, be able to use his equipment to diagnose which components(s), if any, might be bent, broken, damaged or excessively worn.

You could try contacting Tony Bones at Wheels-in-Motion in Chesham. I don't know where you live, but if it is a long way away from Chesham Tony is often helpful in being able to recommend a competent alignment specialist nearer you. (I have no connection with this company except as a satisfied customer, albeit with an MX-5 rather than an Octavia.)

Edited 3 May, 201313 yr by Stuarted

I had the exact same problem, fitted new tyres to the front, had the tracking done and it was pulling to the left, went back and had it re-done 3 times in total, still the same. In the end i swapped the wheels front to back and it drove as straight as a nun, strange.

An update: seems the best way to fix this issue is gonna be trial and error replacing parts. Numerous garages have said the shock is the most likely part to have bent on a pothole, and that's also the cheapest bit of the setup apparently so that's where I'm starting.

Part was ordered Tuesday and was booked in for coming Monday for the work but got a phone call from the dealer this morning to say the part never turned up and has had to be re-ordered.

Really not impressed that its going to have to wait another week, during which time I'm risking tyre damage and losing around 10mpg :(

Update: car finally went to skoda today for a new shock absorber.

First impressions post-surgery are good. Car is driving much straighter and feels a lot better. The tyre on the corner that had the bent part was a bit flat so equalled them all out and it seems even better.

I think I'll have it put on the 4 wheel alignment kit again, just to make sure that it hasn't all gone pear shaped now the car is sitting properly, and if that checks out then I think it's all good.

Thanks to everyone who helped and gave advice. Much appreciated.

For anyone needing to do anything similar and interested in cost, was £133 all in. I think the base price for the part was 55 before vat (that's for the 'sport' suspension that was an option with the Pegasus wheels).

Next job... Sort the intermittently working air con!