Torque Steer

[2step]

Everyone's welcome to jump in here with their opinions but what I am asking for is answers from someone with first hand experience.
I've driven other front wheel drive cars, some less powerful, some more powerful, some with less torque sreer, some with more. There are lots of factors and causes that we could discuss such as differentials, unequal length half axles, etc.
Forget one night, one incident, this torque steer is a nuisance all the time. I want to improve my ride for my enjoyment.
Chrysler built a few compromises in the Cruiser for reasons of cost, target market or whatever. I'm asking what are the possibilities and trade offs of some changes? Would anyone else like some answers?

[MichaelDay]

The SRT and the GT both use equal length half shafts to reduce torque steer but it obviously doesn't solve the problem completely. Unequal half shafts will cause even more torque steer. Under normal situations, torque steer is well controlled but under full power and while turning it becomes very noticeable. Therefore, it would seem that the issue is induced more by the application of more torque during turning than at any other time. This indicates a potential issue with the geometry of the suspension than anything else.

Take a look at one view point of the role of suspension in torque steer here: http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/ed..._technobabble/

[CREWZIN]

I like the last paragraph...good advice.

All of these things you want to avoid are things that make your car handle better, so you have to decide which is more important, reducing torque steer or handling well. Duh! Live with the torque steer. Here's a solution: keep both hands on the wheel.

[2step]

I want someone to go to work on an ALLWHEEL DRIVE conversion for Cruisers....and I want it now. [8)]

[Gary04GT]

quote:Originally posted by CREWZIN...Sorry, got to disagree with you there. I've had torque steer with the last three cars I've owned including my Cruiser and none of them have had a Turbo. Torque steer comes from the power of the engine driving only one primary wheel...

Doesn't a strut tower brace (for both turbo and non-turbo) lessen or eliminate torque steer in many situations? [:I] I have not driven my GT hard enough or long enough since the brace was recently installed to judge for myself.

[MichaelDay]

quote:Originally posted by Gary04GT

Doesn't a strut tower brace (for both turbo and non-turbo) lessen or eliminate torque steer in many situations? [:I] I have not driven my GT hard enough or long enough since the brace was recently installed to judge for myself.

Gary, flexing of the strut tower can certainly increase the effects of torque steer so adding a strut tower brace SHOULD not hurt and COULD help somewhat. It will not cure the underlying problem however.

[Mike Radowski]

Like Mr. Day stated, a strut tower brace will tighten up the front end, but some torque steer will still be there.

Mike

[Kirby]

LSD (Limited Slip Differential)-
An available option on manual trans ONLY for SRT4, it might be possible to add it to a PT Manual trans even though the PT has a different(weaker) diff than the SRT, but to my knowlege there is NO MOPAR LSD for our Automatic transmission.

SO....................

Unless you ordered it special or installed one....you don't have one in a PT, especially if you own an automatic transmission of any type. Less expensive locker arangements are not positrac.

Without positrack, we have essentially one wheel drive. The standard arrangement allows the wheel that is slipping to have the most power. (Sounds like a real performance setup, huh?) There should be no question why most PTs have problems applying increased horsepower to the road, especially while trying to alter direction.

Traction Control merely applies the brakes in an attempt to balance the car in an emergency, DEFINITELY NOT for performance.[8)]

[PTGT_Boy]

Torque steer is an inherent problem with FWD drivetrain cars.

[CruiserDan]

quote:Originally posted by CREWZIN

Sorry, got to disagree with you there. I've had torque steer with the last three cars I've owned including my Cruiser and none of them have had a Turbo. Torque steer comes from the power of the engine driving only one primary wheel. The steering will be pulled towards that primary wheel under heavy acceleration. Yes, the Turbo gives you more power, and more power will give you more torque steer. That's why you don't have it under normal driving conditions.

That's also why most of the Turbo owners are looking around for the LSD (Limited Slip Diff) that the SRT-4 just came out with. That will even up the power to both front wheels.

Tourque steer is actually due to the axle half shafts being of an un-equal length.

Dan