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Torque steer?

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Baz

Baz

Yoda
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I know enough about cars to know this happens in FWD, but when I'm driving 50-60+ and let off the gas, the car briefly and noticeably kicks to the right (not much); when I reapply gas, it straightens up and flies right.
I've only noticed this since the 5 speed has been in, and I'm certain that my engine upgrades haven't made that much of a difference, but I'm kinda flummoxed.
I may be way off base with torque steer, but any explanation would be appreciated.
 
It sounds to me more like a problem of LACK OF TORQUE steer since it happens when you let off the gas! Could there be something loose in suspension, drive shaft or rear end causing this effect?
 
Could be a dragging brake, I did just put new pads and rotors on.
I'll check the rear end tonight as it ~feels~ like it's the back end that wants to move, so yeah, 'Anti-Torque Steer' may be more appropriate!
Back end wise, my leaf springs are a year old, my dampers are full and there's no weight in the car.
It wouldn't be that cracked coil up front would it?
 
If the car is not sagging on the coil and the spring is not bending at the coil, then it is probably fine. I'd drive it and check to see if you have a caliper or drum dragging (by comparing temp of each side).
 
Don't underestimate the issue of a cracked coil spring. Whole car is riding on it and it could be doing some really wierd things under load.
 
you don't mention the YEAR of the car,..

I have a square body that DID this.. accelerate and it went one way, let off and it went the other..ever so slightly but still there... UNTIL...

I tightened the U-Bolts that hold the axle to the springs. the bolts were little more than hand tight. .. then the problem went away. .. i looked/asked for the torque specs on those nuts. Was informed to make them TIGHT!
 
I'm assuming it is a surface level crack.
 
When driven *hard*, my car does the same thing, as does the 1275 of another board member that I drove recently. Just a little twitch to the right between gears when accellerating hard.

I wrote it up to... well, it's not exactly torque steer... but the suspension loading up as you accellerate, the weight transferring to the rear wheels, the front coming up, the front wheels tucking in a little, a bit of chassis twist, probably a little lateral movement in the rear axle... and then everything correcting when the front wheels come down on decelleration.

Maybe?
 
I jacked her up, both wheels spin freely with no rub or binding.
I measured the ride height from the top of the tire to the bottom of the wheel arch, and the right side is 1/4" higher, would that be sufficient?
That's the side with the (surface) cracked spring.
Torque steer just sounded cool.
It's going to be a fun drive next week!
 
Bill said:
I tightened the U-Bolts that hold the axle to the springs. the bolts were little more than hand tight. .. then the problem went away. .. i looked/asked for the torque specs on those nuts. Was informed to make them TIGHT!
Click to expand...

This is THE common cause for the rear end to get "tweaky" on throttle on/off. And it certainly could technically be called "torque steer" for the effect it causes.
 
I agree Doc. that is the most common cause! but I still maintain that if it happens when power is let off it would be lack-of-torque steer!! :jester:
 
"Anti-torque steer"?!? :smirk:

..."Opposite torque steer"?
 
I second checking the u bolts. Mine did that when I first got it.
 
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