Hello. I have an Octavia 3, 2.0 TDi on 88k miles (2018) and it has a developing problem that two garages and I are not able to diagnose. I bought it in May this year off an older gent who had owned it since new and made 4 trips to Italy a year in it. I've done 7k since purchase. A few months back I noticed that on long sweeping corners there was a rubbing/vibrating sound coming from the front passenger side wheel (i'd add that i'm deaf in my right ear and the assumption of passenger side may be wrong but the kids also think it is that side!)

This sound is most noticeable around 30-40mph (you don't get it or really hear it lower than 25mph) although it is still there when at a higher speed but the feedback through the steering wheel is less noticeable. There is also a kickback from the clutch pedal when this is happening in time with the rubbing sound - you can feel it if you rest your foot on too of the pedal (bit like the feel of ABS kicking back). The problem seems to be slowly getting worse but it may just be my sanity slowly fraying. However, it is now making the noise when i'm steering right although much less so than steering left.

This rubbing is happening in any gear and in neutral, and with the clutch down (I don't get feedback through the pedal if the clutch is pressed down). There doesn't appear to be much change in sound whether braking hard, lightly or not at all. As long as I am cornering, it happens. If I suddenly steer harder/jerk right or (particularly) left though it is really noticeable.

So far the garages have tried:

• readjusting the brake pads at the front

• changed the front passenger wheel bearing and ABS sensor

• replaced the top gearbox mount (the one under the battery) - having researched on this site I was sure this would be the culprit but it wasn't (there was a bit of wear on it though)

They have also inspected the obvious bits around the wheels for wear and found nothing.

I really like the car and was planning to keep it for a long time (i've had the cambelt and water pump changed hopefully ready for a long life with me!) but this issue is driving me mad. Does anyone have any ideas as both garages are stumped and I can't keep throwing good money at trying to diagnose an issue. Any help appreciated

That’s a head scratcher. I was going to go with the obvious wheel bearing or tyre rubbing. Has anyone had the front of the car off the ground to see if it does it at the same speed with the car actually stationary (i.e. without lateral cornering load on the car)?

Not something as simple as a loose wheel arch liner?

Nor the power steering groaning?

Gaz

Edited 7 December, 20257 Dec by Gaz
Another thought

Thanks for replying. I am equally stumped. I don't think it's a loose wheel arch liner as they all seem snug and I would have expected the garages to spot if these were a problem.

I don't think it's power steering as it doesn't make the noise when turning the steering wheel when stationary and I wouldn't have expected feedback through the clutch if it was the power steering.

Not sure the garage have checked with the front of the car off the ground as every time they thought they knew what the problem was but I would expect it to be a problem under lateral load.

The only other thing I was wondering was whether it could be the gearbox bottom mount being worn? As mentioned, I replaced the top one but i've since found out there is also one underneath (although it's not mentioned as having been a problem that I can find like the top one has, hence me asking for replacement).