Skoda Rapid: Problems with the Rear End?

Hello,

Our CAXA-Rapid sits approximately 5mm lower on the left side than on the right when unladen and without passengers, even after gently rocking the vehicle.
I noticed it by measuring the distances between the wheel axles and the wheel arches. The sum of the right-side measurements is always about 1 cm greater than the sum of the left-side measurements.
If you look at something closely enough, you can see it with the naked eye.
Is this still within the range of acceptable tolerances, or is it a reason for complaint?

Front and rear? Please provide the individual height measurements for each side (left/right) and front/rear, not sums. Also, have you checked the top of the shock absorber mounts with a level to ensure they are aligned?
hg
Herbert.

I can't find the note right now, but from memory, here are the data from a measurement:
VL = 408 mm
VR = 412 mm
HL = 425mm
HR = 431mm

results in:
Total length (L) = 833 mm.
Total R = 843 mm.

Cant (or offset) = half the difference between the side sums, so 5mm.

The calculated tilt angle was the same in two measurements taken at different locations, despite slight differences (a few millimeters) in the individual readings – apparently because the measurement surface (a newly paved access road) is not perfectly level.
The steering was always straight.
For the measurements, I attached a flexible measuring tape to the lower centering ring of the steel rim and measured parallel to the spring or shock absorber. This means that the distance between the center of the wheel (axle) and the edge of the wheel arch is approximately 30mm less in each case.

I haven't used a level to measure anything yet.

It's similar to a chair where the legs are not all the same length. On level ground, it will tip over around the points of contact of two diagonally opposite legs. In essence, your car is like a chair with suspension springs. It tips over around the axis between the front right and rear left wheels.
The front left leg seems to be too short, while the back right leg appears to be too long.
If everything is mechanically sound, then the springs on one of the axles are likely set at different heights. The question is whether this is happening at the front or the rear.
Does the vehicle have a chassis or axle housing at the rear that allows you to lift it carefully from the center?
hg
Herbert.

Quote:

Our CAXA-Rapid, when unladen and without occupants on a level surface, sits approximately 5mm lower on the left side than on the right side, even after the vehicle has been slightly rocked.

It's perfectly normal. The sum of all the body tolerances alone already amounts to several millimeters. The rest is taken care of by the springs and rubber bushings.

"@Ulf Don't worry about it too much. This isn't a racing car, where that would be important."

Simply park more often with the car hanging downhill on the right side. Or place 2 sand-filled canisters when parking on the right side.

The 4 or 6 mm difference in the wheel arches is not critical.

...however, I would really be interested in hearing the response from the Skoda dealer after they were confronted with the problem...

Herbert wrote:

Does the vehicle have a chassis crossmember in the rear, so that you can lift it carefully from the center?

Yes, that is possible. I will try it out of curiosity to see if it tends to "sag" more at the front or the rear.
It just looks a bit strange when my partner is sitting in it. Even though she's slim, the car still sags noticeably more on the left side when occupied.

Quote:

The 4 or 6 mm difference at the wheel arches is not critical.

... und bei jedem Fahrzeug mal mehr mal weniger vorhanden. That's nothing.

"For example, before carrying out repairs on the suspension, I measure the distance from the center of the wheel hub to the wheel arch to simulate the vehicle's unloaded weight position on the lift... A difference of 5 mm or more is almost always present."

Herbert wrote:

Does the vehicle have a rear axle housing that allows you to lift it carefully in the center?

I just tried that. In fact, it even increases the tilt: FL + 7mm = FR.
Without the stabilizing effect, it would certainly be even more significant.
Both coil springs are seated at the same distance within the axle housing. Both dome supports extend equally upwards from the spring domes.
The color markings on the right and left feathers are identical.

Can the performance characteristics of mass-produced pens vary significantly?
Or could the center of gravity of the engine-DSG unit be positioned so far off the vehicle's central axis that it causes such a tilting moment?


After the Rapid, I also performed the "three-point test" on a Seat Ibiza 6L TDI and a Polo WRC: in both cases, the left front and right front tire dimensions matched almost perfectly, down to the millimeter.


Edit:
I've just emailed Skoda customer support to see what they say (I suspect their response will be: "Please contact your dealer").

Quote:

Can the performance characteristics of mass-produced pens vary so significantly? Or could the center of gravity of the engine-DSG block be positioned so far off the vehicle's central axis that such a tilt is created?

Yes and yes.

Quote:

After the Rapid, I also performed the "three-leg test" on a Seat Ibiza 6L TDI and a Polo WRC: in both cases, the front left (VL) and front right (VR) measurements matched almost exactly, down to the millimeter.

Coincidence.

Quote:

Edit: I have now emailed the Skoda customer support, let's see what they say (I suspect: "Contact your dealer").

..... or to a doctor near you .

Okay, Ulf, let's be serious. We're talking about a mass-produced product here. No part on this car is identical to another. For example, each fender has elongated holes. You can move it in all directions, even up and down, to achieve the most accurate possible gap with the door. In that area, 2-3mm is still within tolerance. The height of the shock absorber towers also varies by +- 2mm. Then there are small differences in the springs, a vehicle with weight on one side (engine, transmission), and you've already reached your difference.

The only way to assess it would be with a level, used from above to compare the height of the coil spring housings. Everything else is nonsense... this only relates to the construction.

Autoservice wrote:

Quote: Can the performance characteristics of mass-produced pens vary so significantly? Or can the center of gravity of the engine-DSG block be positioned constructively far enough from the vehicle's central plane that such a tilt occurs? Yes and yes. Please provide the text you would like me to translate from German to English. I will then give you only the translation, without any explanations. The height of the shock absorber domes also varies by +- 2mm.

And when everything adds up unfavorably, you end up with something like a "dike car" (which stands perfectly straight on the dike in one direction, but tips over in the other).
Does "the height of the shock absorber domes" mean that the attachment points of the shock absorbers within the body can be at different heights?


Anyway, I'm still curious to see what Skoda says, and what our dealer has to say about it.

Using the three-point method, you have largely limited the misalignment to the front shock absorbers. When measuring height, you only need to refer to the shock absorber domes; this will also compensate for any tolerances in the bodywork.
I'm experiencing a similar issue with my B4; although it's not visually apparent, the car tends to pull slightly to the right.
hg
Herbert.

Herbert wrote:

You only need to refer to the strut tower domes when measuring height; this will also compensate for tolerances in the bodywork.

Theoretically yes, but practically speaking, the domes on the Rapid are located under the fender liner cover. To access them, you first have to remove the wiper arms, then take off the cover, find some spacers to place on the domes, and then maybe I could set up the level.}
I think I'll measure the distance between the top and bottom coil springs using a flexible measuring tape; that will directly tell me how different the suspension is on each side.

Quote:

I think I'll measure the distance between the top and bottom coil springs using a flexible measuring tape: that will directly tell me how different the suspension is on each side.

To be honest, I don't understand why you're even thinking about something like that anymore...

Hello everyone!

It's like trying to find a hair in the soup, as long as he still has to have others fish it out for him...
He is not allowed to remove or simplify anything yet - NOT yet .

Another suggestion, besides visiting the doctor:
Measure the axle load INDIVIDUALLY.
Maybe you could visit the highway patrol; they have scales like that, and they might even tell you where they're currently being used.
Alternatively, a recycling center or used parts dealer could be equipped with a scale where each wheel of a vehicle always rests on the same spot on the weighing platform.

Best regards from Munich!