My car came back after getting most of the front suspension replaced.

3 x alloys, front wing, door etc etc.. Car was also professionally 4-wheel aligned using a product called Optiflex.. ? This also checks the chassis for any alignment damage... This came back within Skoda specs...

( Car was side swipped by a Scooby.. forced it up a kerb at approx 50mph..

which destroyed the OSF suspension. The rear took kerb impact as well. )

Drove the car... it pulled to the left.. Also there is a worn wheel bearing 'hum' and the car is very nevous even in a straight line..

Taken back the same day, it was re-checked,, front tracking was way out. This was rectified the next weekend.

My questions the the dealer. Why was the tracking out..!! Why did'nt the 4 wheel alignement check correctly adjust this? is the camber, castor ok....

etc.

Dealer again informs me that it should be ok.. They technicians have driven the car and it is now 'normal' and comperable to other Octavia's.

Car is slightly improved but still tracks to the left.. I check this on the Motorway,, in the outside lane, on a straight,, let go of the steering wheel.

the car moves against the camber and veers towards the middle lane..

I take the car back in.. complaining that the car is STILL pulling to the left.

and still suffering from bearing noise. Skoda Tech.. comes back from a test drive stating that they all do this... I reply that this is rubbish, and it did not do this before and the Fabia curteosy car i'd been driving also did not do this.

They also state that i'm prob looking for faults that aren't there, because the car has been in an accident....

Amazing!!!! I demand that the car is fully rechecked for 4 wheel alignment.

This is done, and it turns out that there is a problem with the only wheel that was not damaged, the rear ns wheel is pointing in towards the centre of the car.. It now is very apparent that the rear axle is damaged and should have been replaced. What else is wrong??? is the bodyshell aligned correctly... Is the front suspension aligned correctly... I also demanded that the car is taken eslewhere to get a proper 4 wheel alignment setup + chassis checked, and that I physcally want to see the correlation between the report and Skoda's specs to see if they match..

The problem is who is likely to have this 4 wheel alignment kit,, that is close to Stoke-on-Trent. and who knows how to use it properly!!!!

VERY ANNOYED!!!!

Dazz

p.s. Maybe one for Ross at AMD to answer!!....

:thumbdwn: :thumbdwn:

Not good to hear, Dazz! It sounds like everyone involved in resolving this saga is justifiably suffering from a serious lack of credibility with you. I think that you are absolutely right in demanding another full suspension and chassis alignment check by a different repairer. Just make sure that you go to a reputable one. :(

It sounds harsh, but I would get dealer to pay for you to go to someone that KNOWS how to use 4 wheel alignment system. Powerstation in Cheltenham (or was it Gloucester) did a damn good job with me.

If it's being done through the insurance company, make sure you keep them informed of everything the garage has failed to do as they will have more weight if you need it. Make sure the dealer is aware you're doing this too.

And a big to Powerstation in Cheltenham - if you can get it to them, you'll have no handling problems afterwards!

Chris

They do have a small point with the pulling to the left argument as you hear it a lot with Octy's. Still no excuse though. Keep kicking butt!

Thanks for the replies....

ROSS!!!! where are U.. I need a technical info bod to give me a insight into this 4 wheel alignment procedure the costs involved and also what Optiflex is if you know.....

I remember the issues I had on my old 90 quattro regarding the importance

of correct 4 wheel alignment.. and the difficulties and cost of adjusting this..

Which was due to the 1st generation quattro system basically having the front suspension reversed and fitted to the back with tierods lower wishbones etc... all adjustable..

I've been told by my dealer service Manager that the rear suspension on FWD Octavia's are no adjustable.. is this correct?? either way the front suspension needs to be aligned with the rear to make sure the car runs without 'crabbing'

Is there a local to Stoke-on-Trent a 4 wheel alignment specialist??

Or someone close by...

cheers

Dazz

LV insurance assessor has made another visit!! He could visually see the rear axle was misaligned,, apparently you can fit 4 fingers down between the arch and the front of the rear tyre, this is on the side it hit the kerb ( drivers side ) and only 2 fingers down the nearside...

So a new rear axle is required. I've done some digging and found out that my local Audi dealer has newish infa-red 4 wheel alignment rig. The head Techie

went through some of the procedures.. the requirement for a full fuel tank,

even the washer bottle has to be full? They also have the correct spec's

programmed in already as they have this from VAG -- which covers all the groups models.

Is there specific questions i need to ask,, i.e. can they adjust the rear axle

or is it fixed to the body... Making sure the body and rear axle are aligned before touching the front...

Ta..

Dazz

Dazz, try sending a PM to ross to point him at this thread. he may not have noticed your plee for help.

is there specific questions i need to ask' date=', i.e. can they adjust the rear axle

or is it fixed to the body... Making sure the body and rear axle are aligned before touching the front...

[/quote']

Dazz.....i have the use of a Hunter 4 wheel aligner and after doing mine i can assure you the back axle is adjustable, albeit you can only equalise the rear toe side to side.......check my post "bent rear" as me and Ross discussed the fact that most octys mine included still pull to the left...........The rear axle must be adjusted first and then you can lock the steering straight and adjust the front...

Phil

Jon (TaviaRS) posted technical data on here for the Octavia's running gear. I can't find it at the moment, but I sensibly ran off a hard copy for future reference. Alignment is checked with the fuel tank as well as windscreen washers and headlight cleaning system filled, spare wheel, tool kit, vehicle jack fitted, and without driver. On the vRS the rear total toe-in and the camber cannot be adjusted as they are design-related. However individual toe-in specifications can be centered by altering the position of the bearing brackets, and the maximum variation in direction of running of the rear suspension can be centered by altering the position of the rear axle beam. I hope that makes sense to you!

Cheers...

The Audi dealer charges about

Dazz,

Sorry for the late reply, I did get your PM.

Sounds like youve been stiffed good and propper here dont it. You car should have been repaired on a panel jig. On this measurements should have been taken to ensure you chassis was straight and panels were fitted correctly.

The the car should have four wheel alignment to measure toe front and rear, toe on turns, castor and camber front and rear. We have the VAG wheel alignment kit at our place, The Audi dealer you have been to should have the same equipement (its req'd for warranty/recall work), so i'd trust it.

But any equipment is only as good as the operator, sounds like youv ebe stuffed on this. If you rear alxe is bent (which it dont take alot to do) it will need a new one. Toe on the rear is barely adjustable and if the toe is out of spec its not the end of the world as long as both sides read the same. Difference is what causes problems.

Good luck, if you want another opinon your more than welcome to come down. If you want to come down on the rolling road day on the 15th May I will check the wheel alignment for

Cheers Ross..

I'll bear you offer in mind.... Ta.. But I will trust in the ability of the Audi centre tech.. who explained toe in and center lines etc...

I brought my old 90 quattro down to AMD about 6 years ago for a 4 wheel alignment adjustment.... As most Audi Dealers had not got the kit....

amazing difference in handling....

The 'operator' or feckwit!! used a system called 'optiflex' According to the Audi Tech this is out of date and not that accurate?

Idiot at Optiflex ... setup everthing OK... car seriously veering to the left!!

I had to hold lock on to keep it straight!!!

A tyre outfit ( the Skoda dealer then takes it too ) finds the front tracking way out.. this is adjusted... car still pulls

to the left...

I again complain.. to be told that i'm looking for something that ain't there!!!

Second Optiflex... the only wheel not to be involved in the crash is 1 degree out!!!! wot utter ******!!!!!

I specifically asked again and again if the rear axle was ok.. as the impact

on the kerbing distroyed the front suspension and also took a chunk out of the rea alloy as that hit!!

Ross.. can the Audi and your ( VAG ) kit determine the condition of the bodyshell?

P.S. Nice Fabia.. I'm VERY tempted but I cannot get a test drive ....

No avail demo's

Cheers

Dazz

Our wheel alignment gear (same as Audi's) should tell you if anything is incorrect bodyshell wise as the alignment figures will be either worng or beyond specifcation.

Our wheel alignment gear (same as Audi's) should tell you if anything is incorrect bodyshell wise as the alignment figures will be either worng or beyond specifcation.

Ross,

slightly of topic.....how much does an alignment check and any correction cost ?