Help, Advice Needed

myvRS · 02-10-2003, 09:42

My vRS has now done about 6700 miles, with a new subframe and lower wishbone replaced in the first three weeks.

Problem: The offside tyre is badly worn on the outside but the tread is still very deep on the remainder of the tyre. The nearside is slightly better but still worn on the outside more than elsewhere.

Question: Should the tyres wear this quickly? I don't think so.
Could the tracking be out causing this and could this have been doe when fitting the new subframe?
If there is a possible problem should I go back to the dealer or contact customer services to ask for their advice?

I do realise tyres are consumables and that I am expected to pay for them at some point but 6700 miles is a lot earlier than I thought.

Other than I love the car, even have trouble keeping the wife out of it!

Real Skoda · 02-10-2003, 09:47

Quote:

Could the tracking be out causing this

Yes.

It is unlikely that the tracking would go out so fast which would suggest that the tracking has been out, even slightly, for a fairly long time. Unless your dealer has the VAG approved tracking gear (which a lot don't as its about £20-30k) they may have set it by "feel". I would recommend taking it to a specialist for full 4 wheel alignment to get it checked. You may be fighting a loosing battle with any claim, in my opinion, as 6,700 miles is a fair distance, even though with the alignment slightly out it will do the damage progresively and will take that long to do the damage.

Tyres can wear that quickly, but unless you have been really monstering it, it is unlikely.

***DGW*** · 02-10-2003, 09:48

I suggest you go back to the dealer and ask for a full suspension alignment check to be carried out on your car. Was such a check carried out after the subframe and lower wishbone change and can you remind us why those parts were changed, please? The tyre wear you describe is not normal and the cause needs investigating asap.

PS This crossed in the post with 'Peter's' reply, but hopefully reinforces what he said.

myvRS · 02-10-2003, 09:52

Thanks for the replies.

The subframe was replaced as the captive nut had come loose securing the lower wishbone to the subframe and could not be tightened back up. It has come loose since and was tightened that time.

Real Skoda · 02-10-2003, 09:53

Maybe that is when the error occured? If the geometry wasn't set with the second rectification the tracking would be out.

LadyLoki · 02-10-2003, 10:07

GET IT CHECKED. Tyre wear like that ain't right mate. Let me know if we can help please?

SkodiRS · 02-10-2003, 10:41

I had to change all my tyres now due to various reasons.

First pair changed as both frontswore on innner and outer edges indicating under inflation. This peed me off no end as I would have thought the dealer would have chekced this before delivery. Changed at around 13k and swapped rears to fron and put new ones on rear. Strange thing was front right was also worn down the centre; in cross section this would look like a stretched and round "m"....hopefuly this is clear.

Then had to change the fronts again at around 18k as inner edge of front right badly worn. Tracking out but I haven't clipped any kerbs or hit any big bumps.

Tempted to ask dealer to change my tyres under warranty but how do you proove none of it was your fault?

Well had tracking done with new set of fronts so hopefully all is ok.

myvRS · 02-10-2003, 11:12

Thanks all, thanks LadyLoki.

My nearest local dealer doesn't have the equipment but the another dealer does. It is booked in for next Wednesday to have it checked under warranty.

***ncarring*** · 02-10-2003, 12:04

If it's only the offside tyre which is worn it sounds like the camber is wrong on that side to me (too much negative camber). Tracking I would expect to wear both tyres equally as you drive in a straight line most of the time.

***ncarring*** · 02-10-2003, 12:05

Quote:

Originally posted by SkodiRS in this post
I had to change all my tyres now due to various reasons.

First pair changed as both frontswore on innner and outer edges indicating under inflation. This peed me off no end as I would have thought the dealer would have chekced this before delivery. Changed at around 13k

You mean you drove 13k miles without checking the tyre pressures?

or have I misread this?

***DGW*** · 02-10-2003, 12:09

No, Nick, I am sure that Adrian meant to say that he checks his tyre pressures at least once a month and before long journeys.

myvRS · 09-10-2003, 07:22

Well, Skoda have advised that the alignment does NOT need to be aligned and checked after changing the front subframe. As long as the steering wheel is centred and it has a test drive!

So if they carry out the alignment check and do not find a problem and the tracking is out then I have to pay £110+VAT.

As much as I like the car ICBA with their attitude and would not buy another again. I know things go wrong but it is how the problems are dealt with that form your opinions.

I am now going to get the alignment checked elsewhere at a more reasonable price, considering the car has not hit any kerbs I do not see how the tracking should be so far out and the tyres are worn so much already.

Kentish · 09-10-2003, 07:53

I have always been of the understanding that tracking can be knocked out by the smallest of potholes at any time, or even general driving.
Perhaps I am wrong.

Andy

Stuart_J · 09-10-2003, 08:08

If you want areally good check & fancy a drive suggest you go to Powerstation in Cheltenham, they will check everything.

For anyone who wants better handling they can even tweak the alignment away from factory settings to give sharper turn in etc although be warned this may shorten tyre life.
Ive had mine done & its definately sharper handling. The only prob I had was the rear camber being about one degree out due to lowering the car but Im having some adjustable bottom arms fitted on Monday & this should solve that problem & mean they can "tweak it" even further.

Stuart

02-10-2003, 09:42	#1
myvRS Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Medway Posts: 156 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help, Advice Needed My vRS has now done about 6700 miles, with a new subframe and lower wishbone replaced in the first three weeks. Problem: The offside tyre is badly worn on the outside but the tread is still very deep on the remainder of the tyre. The nearside is slightly better but still worn on the outside more than elsewhere. Question: Should the tyres wear this quickly? I don't think so. Could the tracking be out causing this and could this have been doe when fitting the new subframe? If there is a possible problem should I go back to the dealer or contact customer services to ask for their advice? I do realise tyres are consumables and that I am expected to pay for them at some point but 6700 miles is a lot earlier than I thought. Other than I love the car, even have trouble keeping the wife out of it! __________________ The vRS has gone I want it back NOW Mark

02-10-2003, 09:48	#3
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,030 Thanks: 45 Thanked 152 Times in 115 Posts	I suggest you go back to the dealer and ask for a full suspension alignment check to be carried out on your car. Was such a check carried out after the subframe and lower wishbone change and can you remind us why those parts were changed, please? The tyre wear you describe is not normal and the cause needs investigating asap. PS This crossed in the post with 'Peter's' reply, but hopefully reinforces what he said. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP, Jabba rear ARB, and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.01 mpg...

02-10-2003, 09:52	#4
myvRS Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Medway Posts: 156 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the replies. The subframe was replaced as the captive nut had come loose securing the lower wishbone to the subframe and could not be tightened back up. It has come loose since and was tightened that time. __________________ The vRS has gone I want it back NOW Mark

02-10-2003, 10:07	#6
LadyLoki Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Londonish Posts: 1,261 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GET IT CHECKED. Tyre wear like that ain't right mate. Let me know if we can help please? __________________ LadyLoki xxx If I hadn't been sitting in it a moment ago, I'd say you were out of your mind.

02-10-2003, 10:41	#7
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	I had to change all my tyres now due to various reasons. First pair changed as both frontswore on innner and outer edges indicating under inflation. This peed me off no end as I would have thought the dealer would have chekced this before delivery. Changed at around 13k and swapped rears to fron and put new ones on rear. Strange thing was front right was also worn down the centre; in cross section this would look like a stretched and round "m"....hopefuly this is clear. Then had to change the fronts again at around 18k as inner edge of front right badly worn. Tracking out but I haven't clipped any kerbs or hit any big bumps. Tempted to ask dealer to change my tyres under warranty but how do you proove none of it was your fault? Well had tracking done with new set of fronts so hopefully all is ok. __________________ Adrian.

02-10-2003, 09:53	#5
Real Skoda BANNED Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southend Posts: 522 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Maybe that is when the error occured? If the geometry wasn't set with the second rectification the tracking would be out.

02-10-2003, 11:12	#8
myvRS Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Medway Posts: 156 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks all, thanks LadyLoki. My nearest local dealer doesn't have the equipment but the another dealer does. It is booked in for next Wednesday to have it checked under warranty. __________________ The vRS has gone I want it back NOW Mark

02-10-2003, 12:04	#9
*ncarring* Don't talk, drive! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The B roads of Britain Posts: 12,864 Thanks: 15 Thanked 86 Times in 74 Posts	If it's only the offside tyre which is worn it sounds like the camber is wrong on that side to me (too much negative camber). Tracking I would expect to wear both tyres equally as you drive in a straight line most of the time. __________________ Nick

02-10-2003, 12:09	#11
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,030 Thanks: 45 Thanked 152 Times in 115 Posts	No, Nick, I am sure that Adrian meant to say that he checks his tyre pressures at least once a month and before long journeys. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP, Jabba rear ARB, and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.01 mpg...

09-10-2003, 07:22	#12
myvRS Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Medway Posts: 156 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, Skoda have advised that the alignment does NOT need to be aligned and checked after changing the front subframe. As long as the steering wheel is centred and it has a test drive! So if they carry out the alignment check and do not find a problem and the tracking is out then I have to pay £110+VAT. As much as I like the car ICBA with their attitude and would not buy another again. I know things go wrong but it is how the problems are dealt with that form your opinions. I am now going to get the alignment checked elsewhere at a more reasonable price, considering the car has not hit any kerbs I do not see how the tracking should be so far out and the tyres are worn so much already. __________________ The vRS has gone I want it back NOW Mark

09-10-2003, 07:53	#13
Kentish Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,230 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I have always been of the understanding that tracking can be knocked out by the smallest of potholes at any time, or even general driving. Perhaps I am wrong. Andy __________________ Andy Owner of a sense of humour.

09-10-2003, 08:08	#14
Stuart_J Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Winchester Posts: 5,554 Thanks: 37 Thanked 79 Times in 72 Posts	If you want areally good check & fancy a drive suggest you go to Powerstation in Cheltenham, they will check everything. For anyone who wants better handling they can even tweak the alignment away from factory settings to give sharper turn in etc although be warned this may shorten tyre life. Ive had mine done & its definately sharper handling. The only prob I had was the rear camber being about one degree out due to lowering the car but Im having some adjustable bottom arms fitted on Monday & this should solve that problem & mean they can "tweak it" even further. Stuart __________________ Speed is an addiction for which thankfully there is no cure

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