What causes torque steer?

[Syringer]

In simple laymen terms..please. I know it occurs when you have a fwd car and too much power..but why's it happen?

 

[Atrail]

I will start it off.
The drive axles on a front wheel drive are not the same length.

 

[WalMart1564]

perhaps the power is not equal in both wheels under stress ?

 

[Mucho]

Originally posted by: Atrail
I will start it off.
The drive axles on a front wheel drive are not the same length.

I've own three different Hondas over the last fifteen years all had unequal length half-shaft none had a problem with torque steering. This problem seems only to affect American front wheel drive cars.

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: Atrail
I will start it off.
The drive axles on a front wheel drive are not the same length.

exactly. my roommate in college did a 5th year thesis on this.

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: Atrail
I will start it off.
The drive axles on a front wheel drive are not the same length.

Like yellowfiero said...........WINNER!

 

[MonkOnXanax]

Originally posted by: Mucho

Originally posted by: Atrail
I will start it off.
The drive axles on a front wheel drive are not the same length.

I've own three different Hondas over the last fifteen years all had unequal length half-shaft none had a problem with torque steering. This problem seems only to affect American front wheel drive cars.

That's because they're Hondas. The queens of torque.

 

[0roo0roo]

wheels are able to spin at different rates depending on grip and stuff. high torque probably magnifies effect dragging you to one side.

 

[thedarkwolf]

My sister's subaru impreza has some pretty nasty torque steer. I don't know why the thing isn't exactly powerfull or anything. And as somebody already pointed out Hondas don't have torque therefore they can't have torque steer problems . My slightly modified caravan turbo makes about 240ft-lbs yet doesn't have any torque steer which surprises me since dodge went through the trouble of using equal length axles on the TII Daytonas.

 

[toph99]

i thought it was because FWD cars have open differentials, which means only the left front tire gets the power to the ground, making it want to move right?

 

Torque steer in front wheel drive vehicles occurs because of the deflection in the front suspension during heavy acceleration, this has two effects ;

(1)Toe in is radically changed.

(2)Compression of the suspension alters the Camber and Caster.

Both of these together "point" the front wheel in a slighly different direction when compared to the opposite wheel.
This has the effect of pulling the vehicle to one side or the other.

 

[OZEE]

So is there something you can do to minimize it? My car has only recently started exhibiting this... at about 110k miles.

 

Rebuild your front suspension, soft control arm bushings, loose ball joints, weak struts and worn tie rod ends all contribute greatly to toque steer because it allows the suspension to deflect more.

 

[OZEE]

Thanks -- That's what I was afraid you were gonna say

 

[Cfour]

Originally posted by: Mucho

Originally posted by: Atrail
I will start it off.
The drive axles on a front wheel drive are not the same length.

I've own three different Hondas over the last fifteen years all had unequal length half-shaft none had a problem with torque steering. This problem seems only to affect American front wheel drive cars.

That is because you actually need to have torque in order to experience torque steer!

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Cfour

Originally posted by: Mucho

Originally posted by: Atrail
I will start it off.
The drive axles on a front wheel drive are not the same length.

I've own three different Hondas over the last fifteen years all had unequal length half-shaft none had a problem with torque steering. This problem seems only to affect American front wheel drive cars.

That is because you actually need to have torque in order to experience torque steer!

buahahah!

 

[radioouman]

At least you don't have an old rear wheel drive beast where the entire car would roll to the right when you hit the gas hard!