Torque Steering Problem

[jmlras]

Have a 2005 PT with 350 miles on it. Noticed that when I step on the gas, the steering wheel makes a jerk to the right (1/8th turn).

Tested this by slight power brake and it is very evident. I do understand that the right wheel is the drive wheel but, also have a neon and another chrysler vehicle and have never experienced the steering wheel movement or jerking to the right.

No problems while driving and accelerating while driving, just from a stand still.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

Jeff (Tamarac, FL)
jmlras@mindspring.com

[Gary04GT]

What you are experiencing is "almost routine" with turbo Cruisers. It is felt more with STAGE 1 turbo cars. [8)] Installation of a Strut Tower Brace should "tame the problem" a good bit. IMHO, it's a good MOD!



BTW, welcome to the forum, jmlras. This forum has a wealth of information in it's data base so be sure to use the search feature to research any topic of interest: http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/...eering,Problem

Good luck. [8]

[2step]

This is a problem that is inherent to the Cruiser. All front drive cars have it to some degree or another. I have a GT Turbo Cruiser and torque steer is there in gobs when I punch it off the line. The steering wheel wants to pull right out of my hands. The more the power, the more the pull.

I've tried posting questions asking what others have done to improve this tendency but all I've ever gotten was a bunch of off point comments about "pulling right while turning", "doesn't happen to me so it must not exist", "front drives do that", etc. I think it is a common problem to Cruisers but different people interpret it differently.

Some things I'm looking into are upper strut brace, firmer lower control arm bushings, different offset wheels and a Phantom Grip limited slip differential. Money's tight now so my quest will be moving slow.

[RallyDRock]

its called torque steer and its just the way it is. a strut tower bar wont do much to cure that problem but it does tie the fron end together a bit. I noticed more of a difference with the addition of Psi-Fi's billet motor mounts in front end rigitity being as my engine/tranny act as a brace now.

The only way to eliminate the torque steer is with a limited slip differential that will distribute power evenly to both front wheels when accelerating. The unit is made by Quaife and is available for the Getrag G288 and soon for the autostick. downside it costs $1500

You can reduce torque steer by replacing the control arm bushings with stiffer ones that will keep the wheels pointed straight when under power. When you stomp it, the wheels steer out a slight bit causing the car to pull to the side easier.

Torque steer is more prominent on cars with unequal length axles. Go drive a Saab turbo, it'll rip the wheel right out of your hands if you don't hold on tight.

[SteelBlueGT]

I know what you guys are talking about but I swear my car only does it under wet conditions. I can induce some torque steer on higly crowned or uneven surfaces too. Aside from the wet conditions it is really not a problem.

[quicksilverdon]

You can always make 3 lefts instead of a right!

It's there, but I'm so used to it. I agree it does seem more pronounced in slick conditions (rain/snow/ice). All the front drive cars I've had did it.

[jmlras]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for inputs.

Understand about the drive wheel, thank you!

Question and pardon my stupidity. Is is not true that the power steering pump is driven by a belt which in turn drives hydraulic fluid to the steering rack?

If this is the scenario, should there not an adjustment for surges when accelerating.

Noticed the steering wheel movemement even if I do a minor power brake, hit the gas and at that point, the drive wheel is not turning and the car is not moving.

Having Chrysler products since I started driving in the 60s and never saw this on my earlier neon, plymouth sundance, dynasty etc.

I would also assume that the steering components are pretty much similar.

Thanks My Friends!
Jeff (Tamarac, FL)

[Mean Green]

quote:Originally posted by jmlras

Hi Guys,

Thanks for inputs.

Understand about the drive wheel, thank you!

Question and pardon my stupidity. Is is not true that the power steering pump is driven by a belt which in turn drives hydraulic fluid to the steering rack?

If this is the scenario, should there not an adjustment for surges when accelerating.

Noticed the steering wheel movemement even if I do a minor power brake, hit the gas and at that point, the drive wheel is not turning and the car is not moving.

Having Chrysler products since I started driving in the 60s and never saw this on my earlier neon, plymouth sundance, dynasty etc.

I would also assume that the steering components are pretty much similar.

Thanks My Friends!
Jeff (Tamarac, FL)

Didn't have the torque you have now.

[2step]

Quote:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Noticed the steering wheel movemement even if I do a minor power brake, hit the gas and at that point, the drive wheel is not turning and the car is not moving.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

What you are seeing when the steering wheel moves when you "brake torque" is the machanical steering linkage loading up as the trans pushes on the drive wheel axle. Think of it this way, when you steer with the steering wheel, you're pushing, loading up and causing input from the top down. When you induce torque with the motor, you're doing the opposite, pushing from the bottom to the top and seeing the steering wheel move because everything is linked.

My big frustration continues to be...
1. So few other have comments or concerns about this issue. (Torque Steer)
2. No one is trying to address this issue.
3. Whenever someone upgrades their bushings, changes wheels and tires, adds a limited slip diff, motor mounts or whatever, they don't have a thing to say regarding torque steer. If I try to pin them down with a direct question, I get a lot of half answers, off topic.

What I want to hear is:
"This is the torque steer that I had (straight off the line)."
"This is what I did."
"This is the torque steer that I have now."

[MichaelDay]

Chrysler has employed equal length half shafts in all PT Cruisers. This is generally the MOST significant thing that can be done to a front-wheel drive car to reduce torque steer. The other way to reduce torque steer in a front wheel drive car is to reduce horsepower.

The true answer to your question is if you want to totally eliminate torque steer, you need to stay away from front wheel drive cars. Things that tend to reduce torque steer in front wheel drive cars which have equal length half shafts include stiffer motor mounts, stiffer control arm bushings, increasing cross camber, use of positrac differentials and as I already mentioned reducing horsepower.

Torque steer will always be present (although in varying amounts) in any car that the powered wheels are also the steering wheels. All-wheel drive cars exhibit less torque steer than front wheel drive cars since part (or in some cases most) of the power is transmitted to the non steering wheels. Rear wheel drive cars do not exhibit the traditional torque steer at all. (I know, if you start spinning a rear wheel it can rotate the car but that is not the same as "torque steer" which tends to pull on the steering wheel.)

A car is a balancing act of handling, comfort, ride, cost, etc. The PT is not bad for a front wheel drive car but will never handle like a high horsepower rear wheel drive or mid engine car.

I wish you luck on finding the type of information you are searching for.