Shock or bushing

johntreacy

Hi Guys

I've got an Ocativia RS with big handling problems. Under acceleration it's pulling to the right and then release the pedal it's going back to the left. Ride is a little bumpier than it used to be and this is what was pushing me towards shock and I am pretty sure that it's the back drivers corner that has the problems. Is there any way of telling what is causing the problem's with out ripping it all out 1 by 1.

Thanks

mickdw

Get it up on a lift. If its a bush, well you will be able to find it. A very badly gone shock might be leaking oil - that would be easy to see. If no oil leaks from shock, if you have a friendly local doe test centre, they could test the shocks for imbalance at least for a very small fee.

johntreacy

Thanks for the quick reply mickdw. I think they might be gas shocks and may just take that out as it's not in the middle of the spring but could a shock cause it to veer to the sides?

mickdw

I would have thought it would be front control arms that would cause that problem tbh.

And I think the shocks if standard are gas oil shocks. they contain oil but are pressurised with a gas. I might be wrong on that though.
It is possible that you have a small issue at the rear & them worn control arm bushes at the front

voxpop

Sounds like bad torque steering.

I had a bad wishbone bush (torn when we took it out) and it more evident under heavy breaking than acceleration and then it was like the car was sliding about, rather than veering in a particular direction.

Mr.David

Try posting on briskoda.net/forums.

The guys over there are great

(not that they arent here too! just they are a specialised skoda forum!)

robtri

johntreacy wrote: »

Hi Guys

I've got an Ocativia RS with big handling problems. Under acceleration it's pulling to the right and then release the pedal it's going back to the left. Ride is a little bumpier than it used to be and this is what was pushing me towards shock and I am pretty sure that it's the back drivers corner that has the problems. Is there any way of telling what is causing the problem's with out ripping it all out 1 by 1.

Thanks

i would second the torque steer.... the RS suffers a bit from it...
which would give you the pull under acceleration and the return to normal when you take your foot of the accelerator...
the torque steer could be made worse by a bad shock....

mickdw

I assumed that this is a new problem with the car therefore suggested worn parts. If it has always been like that, well I would agree with the torque steer etc.

Neilw

What mileage is on the car?

Wishbone bushings can go bad, mine were shot after 56k miles. Easy to spot once the wheel is off. Replace them with bushings from a TT/S3 for a tighter front end

AzureAuto

When the Octavia came out, the rear independent suspension camber and toe were set wrong. This became evident when drivers were replacing their rear tyres prematurely because of heavy wear on the inside of the tread. This was often accompanied by steering issues.
If all suspension checks out fine, (especially front wishbone bushes and shocks, get the wheel alignment set by a decent laser tracking machine to the new specs, you'll prob be able t get that info form any Skoda enthusiasts forum.
Best of luck

Testament1

mickdw wrote: »

I would have thought it would be front control arms that would cause that problem tbh.

I'd go with this too. Had a similar problem on my Levin before. Loose control arm was my problem. Tightened it up and no issue with it since.