Hi fellows,

Skoda Octavia 1Z3 rear tyres 225/45R17 got damaged from insed. Major damage was on the rear left.

Car was checked by workshop. While trying to work with alignment one of the alignment bolt got broken. They said rear control arms need to be replaced. After replacing rear control arms and alignment done by workshop, car is still going right and steering is bit on the left side (not straight).

Their report shows camber (-1 degree 04’) out of specs. Tried to talk with workshop about front right camber out of specs, but they said camber can not be fixed.

Is this a case?

If some adjustment is possible then could someone share workshop manual?

Looking forward to your reply.

Thanks

Adding a screenshot of alignment report.

Could be a worn top mount or other suspension issues. My old Octy front tyres were wearing badly although alignment was spot on. When I replaced the front shocks and top mounts it improved it. Dont think there is adjustment but I may be wrong.

Hi Alasadair1,

Thanks for your reply.
I've not checked these recently. But I doubt that front suspensions or top mounts are faulty as these were done one year ago. Rear springs were also changed around one year ago. And now rear control arms have been replaced.
I've found the following workshop manual to adjust the camber on the front axle.

Sorry about my basic questions. I'm just an ordinary owner of Octavia and trying to get understanding about the issue from Experts here.
In case workshop doesn't agree to adjust the camber, do the values in report (shared previously) are OK to live with, or camber is critical and must be adjusted?

Best Regards,

Has it been like this since the top mounts/front suspension was changed. The top mounts have a specific direction they have to be fitted. Its not unnown for one to be fitted the wrong way which I assume would affect camber? If you are going to adjust camber then I would make sure all suspension bushes/ball joints are spot on first. If the car steering isnt central it may be the rack or steering sensor that has a problem?

That's not horribly out, and there's plenty of cars out there with worse. If you want it right, there might be enough adjustment between the ball joint and the wishbone to make up for that. If there isn't, and nothing else is worn, you're potentially looking at a new hub carrier, which would probably be overkill for such a small variance.

If it were my car, I'd give it a good look over for worn bushes or maybe the wheel bearing, and if I didn't find anything, just leave it be.

Out of interest for future problems on mine I checked and read a few posts which seems that to adjust camber on mk2 front involves adjusting subframe. The bolts are singe use but 10mm in larger holes. Dont think its possible as a DIY as you are adjusting camber as well as caster plus you will need new bolts as they are stretch/single use and an accurate way of measuring. Probably why garages/alignment specialists say its not possible.

Alasdair

Thanks guys for helping by providing valuable inputs.
I hope you guys had great holidays.
Updates:
Another issue has been observed during driving on a dark road in the night that right headlight is now way off (light dipped towards the road). I believe this issue happened after replacing the rear control swing arms as headlight positioning sensor is attached these arms. But not sure why headlight alignment (projection of light differs between left and right side), any idea?
Had a discussion with workshop. They have checked the car and appointment is now planned to try to further tune the alignment of the wheels and headlights of the car.
Happy New Year to you all.