Unbeliveable stuff!!! Glad no injury caused.

If the wheel mounting failed in some way - could the brake disk have ended up rubbing on the rim - until enough of a groove cut to snap the alloy in half?

Did the car collapse a bit - and then after a short distance the wheel then come off?

D

well been to skoda today to let them have a look at the wheel. ive been told as some of you had suggested that a stone has been cought in between the caliper and the inner wheel thus rubbing away at it until it fractured!

they had a quick look at the car, looking for any other damage and when satisfied sent me on my way! looks like ive got to fork out for a new wheel! Anyone?

something for you lot with 312mm brakes to think about due to your caliper being closer to the wheel than the standard setup!

daz

I smell fish i'm afraid, Can you post better pictures of the failure?

Is it what they call a split - rim alloy??

sorry, glad your ok

Sounds like a load of rubbish to me - are the disks scored on the outside edge at all?

Hmm, looks about in the right place for a stone to have been trapped between the caliper and the wheel, did you not hear any grinding/unusual noises prior to this?

I'd think it a bit mean of Skoda if they didn't at least replace the alloy, I dont see how they can attribute blame to you for it, so surely the warranty will cover the wheel and snapped ARB?

there is a mark on the caliper and score marks in the wheel. wouldnt these occur when the rim split and spun round inside the arch hitting the caliper?

Problem is, if there was a stone caught between the wheel and an immovable part of the undercarriage, there wouldn't be a score mark, as it would be stationary, cutting into the rim as it went round like a milling machine.

Did the stealership fit another wheel to see if there are clearance issues before sending you away with a very expensive tricycle? Have you tried approaching another stealership to see if they can help.

Also you might be able to claim off your insurance for the wheel and tyre, as it was an accidental situation (As long as your NCB is protected and your excess is sensible)

As for inflamatory posts, IF the writing's on the wall anywhere for Skoda as far as the JD power survey goes, they'll read it here first.

This is rediculous.

I can't believe how crazy they are being, whatever happens make sure you take the old wheel and have it inspected independently.

dont know if this is related but im now getting vibration at speed!:thumbdwn:

That's insane :eek:

Glad you are ok

I would say yes, sounds like they didn't balance the wheel correctly or something similar. I had no end of problems like this.

Have you still got the old wheel and if not go and demand it back from the dealer if you paid for the fix. This is absolubtly disgusting and I would definately talk to an independant tyre wheel place, or another dealer, and definately skoda UK.

If nothing else I would want a written copy of the reason for the wheel failure so that if anything similar happens you can jump up and down on them. Just fobbing you off like that is iresponsible at best.

If their reasoning is true then they will be happy to put it in writing, but I would certainly be expecting more than just a your fault go away from any dealer. I would check all of the wheels at the very least.

To be honest I've heard milling machines and if that was a trapped stone, I would be pretty sure you would have heard it well before the wheel fell in half.

come to think of it the dealer had no problems keeping the broken wheel and tyre.

say their right and it was a stone that caused the wheel to break....how crap are these wheels? lets face it...its not like your never going to come accross a stone on the road and even if its one in a million, shouldnt these wheels be tested in such cases for safety reasons?

im a toolmaker by trade and it would have to be a stone that grew in size making a bigger cut as it went! other wise it would leave its mark and thats it!

If they're refusing to pay for a new wheel because you've modded your brakes, I'd tend to threaten the Watchdog route. This could have been a serious failure and they don't really have proof that it definitely was a stone trapped betwixt brake and wheel, only 'probably'. I'd look for the nearset high Horse to get yourself on and make em cough up for a new rim!

If they're refusing to pay for a new wheel because you've modded your brakes, I'd tend to threaten the Watchdog route. This could have been a serious failure and they don't really have proof that it definitely was a stone trapped betwixt brake and wheel, only 'probably'. I'd look for the nearset high Horse to get yourself on and make em cough up for a new rim!

my brakes are standard.

If you have 312mm brakes, I think its reasonable for you to be expected to foot the bill tbh. I dont think Vag fit 312mm brakes to any 16" wheel equipped car... and for a reason.

I'd always worried about brake cooling under the std wheels too - one of the reasons I got nice "spokey" 18's.

Is the tyre not usable? Is it also damaged? I'd also want the wheel back, would make a nice coffee table with a bit of imagination!

my brakes are standard.

:eek: Thats not a "stone" then, its a frigging boulder!!!

I'd be probing more questions then, what a rediculous suggestion for it to be a stone, wouldnt it have to be 100mm or so in diameter? You'd hear that being flicked up for sure, I hit a 5" boulder at speed, and it punched a hole through the wheel of the Zafira I was driving. And a huge bang it made as it bounced off the undercarriage too...

if i try and kick up a stink to get the wheel looked at, any advice on who i should go to?

was about to say if you have 312mm brakes then tough titty but seeing as you have standard brakes and standard wheels i can't see it being your fault. how old is the car?

may 2004.

I dont think Vag fit 312mm brakes to any 16" wheel equipped car... and for a reason.

Octavia vRS

I think you will need to ask for the part back initially, but be prepared for them to say they no longer have them.

If you get them back them you could try to ascertain if the score/cut mark is in line with the brake caliper.

I don't think I'd worry too much about an independant inspection or anything at this stage. Your best resolution at this time would be a free replacement wheel and damage repair.

i would be over the moon with a new wheel. thats all i would be trying for.

ive sent an email to skoda uk telling them about the problem so lets see what they do about it.

sod all i expect, or in my experience promise you the earth then when its all ready to be taken away try and charge you the earth for it

Octavia vRS

Of course, forgot about them... lol.