Hi

Have a Skoda Octavia 2.0 running 225/45/17.

I have recently replaced both rear tyres as they were wearing unevenly, the inner edge on both wearing far more rapidly.

Anyone got any ideas why before I have to replace both again, I cannot see any obvious reason/means of adjustment.

I'm no tyre expert but the only time I've experienced odd tyre wear was down to either poor tracking/balancing or just rubbish tyres.

On my last car (escort) I replaced the (incorrect) 13" wheels with some 17" alloys and Kumo 205/40's - the grip was poor, tramlining was horrible and they wore out in 3 months flat at the edges.

In contrast the Yokohama's I replaced them with lasted for 15000 miles and about 18 months of seriously hard back lane driving, all without anywhere near as much tramlining etc.

The ride was also much better.

If you're using cheap tyres I'd suggest investing some cash on decent ones, otherwise get the car's geometry checked out first.

Matt

Replacing the tyres without finding out the cause is throwing money away. the first thing you need to do is check the pressures, too high or too low will cause excessive wear. The next thing you need to do is take it to a garage for a four wheel tracking test. This will make sure that the car is running as it should. Has it had a rear shunt, this can throw the rear tracking out? If neither of those solve the problem, you may have to have the car looked at properly.

Sounds like either the toe or camber setting is out. Have you got a pretty radical slam?

What about rear beam bushes?

Could it be them?

Sarah

I am unaware that car has been shnted (hope not) but will investigate. May also be worth checkingrear bushes. My concern is that it would appear to be a beam type axle and therefore bushing would probably not cause the problem. Is there any method of adjustment? I have kept on top of tyre pressures so do not believe that is the problem. Could the wider tyres have distorted the rear beamand pulled tyres out of alignment? - if so presumably this will need to be replaced.

That's a standardish size for the vRS isn't it? If so, and if you're running vRS offset, I don't believe that it's an offset problem, which suggests that it's something fundamental with the rear beam, bushes or bearings, but very much not caused by the mere fact of the tyre size itself. What was standard size on your car? (very relevant since the data panel on my car suggests 14, 15 or 16 inch diameter rims, and 175 to 205 width, 70 down to 55 aspect ratio on nonvRS)

I've noticed this on my estate (ambiente with standard 15" wheels/tyres), the inside edge is wearing more than the rest, having said that, the tyres have been on the car since before i bought it, and i've done 24,000 miles on them and they're still legal.

Things that can effect tyre wear as far as I can think..

1)Incorrect pressures

2)Wheel alignment

3)Worn bushes (quite common on older Octavias, especially rear beam bushes, Sarah is quite right and obviously has seen a few done).

4)Naff tyres (Firestones in particular used to be bad for it)

5)Driving like an ****

6)Driving in Milton Keynes (x2 if combined with 5)

Hi Lummox

Yes I have seen LOADS done.

Mk4`s and Octy`s they all suffer with it.

Handling is so much better when it has been done

Sarah

Thanks for all the help, I don't drive that hard as a lot of my driving is around town, also my wife drives the car more than me and she is very sensible. I am running on Falkens - are they that bad? - looks like I will have to do rear beam bushes.

Is it worth upgrading the bushes to Poly bushes?

Hi Andy

We would replace them with Powerflex bushes.

They are a bit more expensive , but the time that they last I think myself it could be worth it.

Sarah

Falkens are pretty decent tyres, aside from not being a "big name like Dunchelyearstone". Saying which I'm an advocate of Vredstein or Toyo anyway.

And I'll add an independant recommendation for Powerflex bushes.

worth noting something that may/may not apply here but on some cars with soft suspension the tyres wear quick on the back due to the way the suspension moves under breaking, as the front pitches down and the rear goes light the tyres can toe in/out which is like dragging the inside of the tyre across the tarmac at a slight angle which increases wear on the inside faster. tranny vans are notorious for this.

would this also apply if your shocks were begining to leak?

Yes, particularly given that that most passenger cars are under-damped to start with.

Go on matt, get the FSDs :P

yes but... Beki's dog went the vet yesterday and that cost just under £300 :-(

I am meant to be sorting out my garage before the winter (new wooden front and up&over door)

Can you trade the dog in against some shockers

Seriously though did you get prices for the standard ones.

well the dog is looking at me now and I think I would get in trouble if I traded him in!! I'll phone yeovil in the morning and get the prices of some stock shocks.

Hi

Not quite sure where the dog came into discussion.

Thanks for all replies and help.

Looks like I need to replace bushes, is this easy, bushes are cheap guessing labour is high. If suspension drops easily I will do myself, do i need special tools to remove replace bushes.

Remark about front shockers probably spot on, I will change them and following recent experience with my Fabia probably springs as well.

Incidently my spelling is not always (so) bad, I blame the keyboard.