Bought a 2009 Octavia vRS yesterday.  60k on the clock, FSH for £6900.

 

Car is immaculate minus the odd stone chips, and the wheels need a refurb, but all cosmetics that I can ignore for now.  

 

Now, I know all about the tension and sawtoothing issues.  There is a deep, boomy drone sound when driving it sub 40mph.  It happens regardless of gear, with and without braking. once above 40, it vanishes entirely.  Could the tracking just be out? Can't see any bad wear on the inside of the rear tyres, and I know the seller had previously had the tracking fixed to resolve the sawtoothing.  

 

I'm going to booking it in for a minor service and a check over, but in the mean time, any thoughts as to what could be causing the noise? I don't think it's a wheel bearing but I guess it could be.  Also, the hand brake is very stiff and the discs and pads have all been changed in the last 2-3k miles.  Could it just be something binding or wearing in?

 

Cheers!

Get a 4 wheel alignment done. Check the rear tyres, if they have saw toothed (depending on how worn they are) get new ones or rotate them onto the front.

 

Oh, and welcome to the club.

Get a 4 wheel alignment done. Check the rear tyres, if they have saw toothed (depending on how worn they are) get new ones or rotate them onto the front.

 

Oh, and welcome to the club.

 

I've read about Hunter's Alignments.  Do I need to go anywhere special for this?   All 4 tyres are Maxxis, but I can't remember exactly which off hand.  They were about £80 a corner, so not massively top end.  More like a good budget tyre. All have ~5mm of tread.

 

Thanks for the welcome! Been on here a while but finally bought a car yesterday.

Not sure where you are because I cannot see your signature block.  Post up and ask for recommendations in your area.  Kwik fit now do this service ( there will be varying mixed reviews on the service they provide).  I personally would not let them do mine, I would go to an independent garage that has the equipment and the knowledge how to set it up properly.

 

I had some MAXXIS on a previous car (Audi A4 2009), I removed them as I found them quite noisey, the MK2 octavia is not the quietest any way. Get is set up on a 4 wheel alignment rig and rotate / balance tyres (or splurge and go for 4 new tyres - quieter ones). I am currently running Kumho's as they were on the car when I bought it. My next tyres will be Dunlop sport max as they seem to be the most popular as they are quite quiet. 

My Octavia II had a front wheel bearing changed recently. Symptoms were a droning noise which started at 25mph and increased in volume with speed, so I don't think that is your problem.

As far as the handbrake goes, there are a number of things this could be:

 

1. The trim ribbon around the handbrake lever that slides in the centre console can get tight and cause restriction. See my STICKY post at the top of the listings in this forum for an easy and free way of sorting this out.

 

2. The handbrake lever linkages on the rear brakes can get tight, a good spray with WD40 can work wonders with this.

 

3. The handbrake cables themselves can become rough -- I have just replaced the cables on my 08 plate Octavia estate. It's a very easy job, and the 2 cables are just £9 each, and have made the world of difference.

 

Also, +1 for getting the car PROPERLY hunter aligned as a matter of urgency -- even getting it checked and finding it OK is worth it for piece of mind knowing it is right. Having said that, I would be amazed if they find it correctly aligned.

 

Hope this helps, and good luck with the new car -- you'll love it.

 

Mike

 

Awesome mate, thanks.  I'm going to get it booked in for a minor service and look over at my local garage this week hopefully.  Will see if they're able to do it.

If you go on the Hunters website, there is a list of dealers that have their rigs.

If you go on the Hunters website, there is a list of dealers that have their rigs.

Thanks. Is this the one?

 

http://www.hunter.com/alignment/

I had Maxxis MAZ1 on a VRS, load of grip very pleased with that but appallingly noisy.

 

Rear of the car didn't like 'em, sawtoothed a set even after Hunter alignment.

I had Maxxis MAZ1 on a VRS, load of grip very pleased with that but appallingly noisy.

 

Rear of the car didn't like 'em, sawtoothed a set even after Hunter alignment.

 

 

I don't think it's MAZ1 I have, but they're all Maxxis.  The 'model' is certainly Mxx1 or Mx1x or the likes.  I'll ask my dad to check now while I'm at work.

I've just had a reply from my dad.  they are in face Victra MAZ1.  At 38mph or less, the car is making a very loud booming sound, that drops in frequency as the car slows.  It sounds to me very unlocalised so it suggests tyres.  

 

Aspman, if I go out in the car tomorrow and get someone in the passenger seat to record the noise on their phone, would you mind having a listen to see if it's what you had?

Edited 19 January, 201511 yr by planehazza

I've just had a reply from my dad.  they are in face Victra MAZ1.  At 38mph or less, the car is making a very loud booming sound, that drops in frequency as the car slows.  It sounds to me very unlocalised so it suggests tyres.  

 

Aspman, if I go out in the car tomorrow and get someone in the passenger seat to record the noise on their phone, would you mind having a listen to see if it's what you had?

 

I wouldn't be able to diagnose anything from that sorry. They are noisy tyres and they droned at the back of the car. Mine were starting to go again when I sold the car. Alignment meant it took longer bu it was still happening. A shame coz other than the noise I thought they were very good tyres for the money.

Photos!
 

 

 

 


And the obligatory "Look! My toys fit in!".  Mind you, that's the smallest of my models at ~1m in length (rotor disc is about 1.2m), so the seats will have to drop for everything else...
 

Edited 20 January, 201511 yr by planehazza