Hi

 

Hope someone can help me here.

 

I've Skoda Octavia 2009 1.4 TSI.

 

I've recently replaced the following parts through two different jobs in couple of weeks apart.

 

First Job:

Front Brake Discs & Pads

Rear Pads

 

Second Job:

Front Driver Side Ball Joints x2

Front Anti-Roll Bar Links x2

 

While I didn't have any problem after the first job, I had started noticing a noise after the second job. I hear a "hummm" noise in loop while I drive about 60-90mph. The noise does exist while I drive in 30 mph but it's more noticeable while I'm on motorway.

 

The garage put the car on ramp, checked all the wheels and declared that they couldn't see any issue.

 

I've tried to capture the audio which I've uploaded here. You can clearly hear the noise if you use a headphone.

 

I know it's hard to guess anything just by hearing an audio clip, but if you can give me some pointer, it will really be helpful.

 

Thank you.

 

25 minutes ago, John3005 said:

if you can give me some pointer

Have you checked the tyre tread for uneven wear?

35 minutes ago, MikeTheThinker said:

Have you checked the tyre tread for uneven wear?

 

Hi Mike,

 

The garage had indeed asked me to replace the front tyres which I did, but no luck.

 

 

But have you checked the tracking since you did the work on the ball joints?

 

1 minute ago, pikpilot said:

But have you checked the tracking since you did the work on the ball joints?

 

 

Hi

 

Thanks for your message.

 

I think tracking is wheel balancing!?

 

No, they didn't mention it (and this particular garage doesn't do wheel balancing).

 

Should I get done one? Did you get a chance to hear the audio?

 

Thank You.

 

 

3 hours ago, John3005 said:

I think tracking is wheel balancing!?

 No, basically tracking means making sure the wheels are both pointing in the same direction.

The tracking can be out be after changing the ball joints if you are one or more turns out on the ball joint thread before you locked it in place

 

Just now, pikpilot said:

 No, basically tracking means making sure the wheels are both pointing in the same direction.

The tracking can be out be after changing the ball joints if you are one or more turns out on the ball joint thread before you locked it in place

 

 

OK, thank you.

 

I'll ask them to do tracking.

 

It's a very good car. I've been owning it for 10 years now. It always was smooth to drive around.

 

It's just that I don't want to think about replacing it if it's fixable. Though the garage thinks that these kind of issues are inevitable for old car.

Before you spend money on having the tracking checked, try swapping the front/rear wheels to see if it makes a difference.

 

Does the engine/road speed change the tone of the hum? e.g. drop a gear at 60mph, do you notice a change?

Edited 23 January, 20233 yr by MicMac

30 minutes ago, MicMac said:

Before you spend money on having the tracking checked, try swapping the front/rear wheels to see if it makes a difference.

 

Does the engine/road speed change the tone of the hum? e.g. drop a gear at 60mph, do you notice a change?

 

Nope, it's constant and in loop as you can hear in the audio. It's more noticeable during 60 mph as the speed is constant for period of time and no change in gear etc

 

I can even feel the loop if I put my hand on the gear while driving.

 

Maybe the transmission is showing its age.