I've recently had full 4 wheel alignment balance with a hunter machine (HiQ I think it was) and also 4 brand new tyres just after this

( I had a minor clip of kerb and alloy damage in early ownership but wouldn't expect it to have caused any other damage).

 

Even before this I wasn't too happy with the geometry before this and had some hopes the above might have helped somewhat.

To be honest I'm surprised but it hasn't really changed a lot given the above.

I've a feeling maybe something suspension wise is prematurely worn ( its 48k) so maybe console bushes or something like that ?

 

More noticeable with the "lane assist" off but basically it has tendency to feel like you are ever so slightly correcting the bloody thing all the time in a straight line.

Other than the standard lack of handling, going round corners etc is actually fine its just straights.

 

With lane assist on and far less direct feedback from you the car basically sorts itself out with corrections, but this isn't good any will only last so long before car expects you to take over!

With lane asst off, its far less annoying feeling that the car is autocorrecting a bit aggressively,  but I have noticed it and it can be a bit wearing, there is no pattern to this to suggest like its due to imbalance on wheel etc, feels a bit more random which is where it gets annoying.

 

In fact my 130K Fabia vRS feels somewhat tighter and thats only had console bushes, and lowered, haven't even changed ARB bushes on that yet (feels a lot tighter in fact since it was lowered)

 

I'm guessing this will be considered W&T and might well be worth a visit to my local dealer or good independant or something as this isn't going to be a warranty item is it. I'm sure its nothing complicated, will be something like bushes?

Unlikely after just 48k. My previous 1.4 petrol SE Mk 3 was far more in need of constant correction than my vRS. I don't use lane assist.

 

 

(And for those who will say steering involves constant correction, yes, but it's a degree of constant conscious input as opposed to doing it automatically. There is a difference.)

Unlikely after just 48k. My previous 1.4 petrol SE Mk 3 was far more in need of constant correction than my vRS. I don't use lane assist.

 

 

(And for those who will say steering involves constant correction, yes, but it's a degree of constant conscious input as opposed to doing it automatically. There is a difference.)

I have found the same thing with my 1.4tsi Mk3, even from new the straight ahead steering has never been as pin-point accurate as it was on my 1.9d Mk2.

My daughter has just got a 2008 mk5 2.0tsi GTi Golf with 90k km on the clock and I drove it the 250km back to her home in very windy conditions.

Very nice machine, drove like new and the steering was totally accurate in the straight ahead with very little correction needed even with cross-winds, like my old Mk2.

Hmm. Well for the same speed my Fabia does seem well planted, like I'm holding the steering and its going over there, thank you very much, and little in the way of forces to want to wander or drift elsewhere or feel like anything tugging the car.

That said It doesn't feel like constant pulling or anything that obvious unfortunately, just a lot less certain to be honest.

 

I'm not 100% convinced something isn't outside of wear because even holding steering two hands I'm sure there is a just a little bit of motion/uncertainty in the drive.

It may have been wind the other day, or not a very good road perhaps, but I'd be surprised if its just that unless the car is very very susceptible to all but the most perfect of road conditions.

 

Perhaps if I take my car to dealer whenever the service comes due or whatever they can have a look, or maybe someone else before then, perhaps (not against taking it to HiQ again for their opinion given I not long ago shelled out for the balancing edit:idiot I mean wheel alignment, it would make sense to ask them for ideas).

Not urgent but it is the only real thing (other than lack of exhaust note) tarnishing an otherwise great car hence I do want to get it sorted as its not the kind of car you really want a lack of confidence in.

 

I'm not 100% convinced its not a bit of wear somewhere though, time will prove the truth

Edited 3 May, 201610 yr by vRSAnt

I have been trying to get to the bottom of what car has what steering trying to improve the steering on another car. Steering is what generally lets Octy 3s down IMHO. The VRS should be different (better?) than the standard as it is supposed to have a different rack. 

 

As far as I can tell most Octavias have the VAG variable-assistance (servotronic) electric steering rack. The VRS is supposed to have the same unit but with variable ratio rack which should make it less twitchy at speed around the centre and move it more at the edges of the steering range. This should result in only having two full turns lock to lock at standstill (normal car is closer to three)

 

The best steering rack is the one fitted to the MK7 Golf GTi and above, which is what I had assumed, was fitted to the VRS. Trouble is the part numbers do not seem to bear that out.

 

The part numbers for the VRS seem to indicate it has the golf MK6 generation steering which was not that well liked (compared to the MK7) which is confusing as it is pre-MQB

 

Have not had my hands on a VRS for a while, but would be interested to know how many turns lock to lock a standard VRS is.

 

Haven't really got to the bottom of this but it may explain some of it and the difference to the MK7 GTi 

Hmm. Well for the same speed my Fabia does seem well planted, like I'm holding the steering and its going over there, thank you very much, and little in the way of forces to want to wander or drift elsewhere or feel like anything tugging the car.

That said It doesn't feel like constant pulling or anything that obvious unfortunately, just a lot less certain to be honest.

 

I'm not 100% convinced something isn't outside of wear because even holding steering two hands I'm sure there is a just a little bit of motion/uncertainty in the drive.

It may have been wind the other day, or not a very good road perhaps, but I'd be surprised if its just that unless the car is very very susceptible to all but the most perfect of road conditions.

 

Perhaps if I take my car to dealer whenever the service comes due or whatever they can have a look, or maybe someone else before then, perhaps (not against taking it to HiQ again for their opinion given I not long ago shelled out for the balancing edit:idiot I mean wheel alignment, it would make sense to ask them for ideas).

Not urgent but it is the only real thing (other than lack of exhaust note) tarnishing an otherwise great car hence I do want to get it sorted as its not the kind of car you really want a lack of confidence in.

 

I'm not 100% convinced its not a bit of wear somewhere though, time will prove the truth

Did you get a print out of the wheel alignment data? Would be interesting to see the chamber of the wheel you hit. Dosnt take much to bend a strut. I did the same thing with my polo and it only takes 1mm bend to cause a issue which may not come up as out of spec.

Unlikely after just 48k. My previous 1.4 petrol SE Mk 3 was far more in need of constant correction than my vRS. I don't use lane assist.

 

 

(And for those who will say steering involves constant correction, yes, but it's a degree of constant conscious input as opposed to doing it automatically. There is a difference.)

 

 

Just to clarify - "unlikely" doesn't mean "it can't be"

I'm actually second guessing myself now !

Bear in mind I'm not actually driving all the time, its almost more my weekend toy ( don't want to add more miles unnecessarily if I can help so others can catch me up lol talking < 5k a year, given its 48k ) so to get the freshness in my mind on it, taken it out this evening without any hurry.

 

First checked the tyres pressure first time since tyre changes, all round 35psi with exception of offsite rear 3psi less than the rest so topped it up a bit. Also went round checking for tightness, only one very very slight nipping up possible ( nearside front ) but was more or less tight.

 

Assist off, check, went down road first 30mph. Its very very neutral which is kind of good.

Although I find it a bit more reassuring having an every so slight pull to left I guess I'm used to with cars I've owned.

 

Well 30mph urban, fine with hands off no assist I'd say. Its quite heavy and firm still steering wise ( like hardly worn in).

Then the carriageway 70mph, once again briefly hands off and its again very neutral but maybe seeming that perhaps not doing a good job on bumps which could be sending it off course.

Hence I'm actually wonder if I'm misdiagnosing this vagueness and it actually might be more about the (not great) shocks as I'm thinking maybe what I'm sensing of vagueness is more about the car being offset by poor shocks as what I noticed moreso when purposefully sensing the drive (as opposed to just driving to work and not consciously thinking about the experience) is that its hardly the most refined. Probably less course than my lowered Fabia but could be better.

 

I know someone was actually posting about shocks recently too. Would seem to be about bang on with recommendations also to change shocks every 50k.

Edited 4 May, 201610 yr by vRSAnt