Torque steer gone

[PT-Dave]

rockycruiser,

Semantics may indeed be at work here. Torque steer in the classic sense is the severe pulling to one side or the other under heavy acceleration. Most commonly this is caused by un-equal length half-shafts, causing a difference in the actual torque that is applied to the wheels from the transmission. Considering the GT was designed to have equal length half shafts, then torque steer should be minimized, if not completely eliminated. However, as I stated in my last post, there are many other reasons that come into play regarding torque steer. In either case, a strut bar, which theoretically, anchors the upper shock towers together, would have no effect on the torque applied to the wheels or the traction achieved by the tires. It just can't do it. Period. It may help under extreme cornering to solidify the steering response, but that is under extreme autocross conditions, something we will likely not see in everyday driving. Again, it is a show item, not a go fast item for a GT Cruiser.

I am not saying, however, that those who feel an improvement from it are crazy, or anything like that, I just don't see it doing anything tangible for everyday driving.

[flame suit zipped up and ready]

[GLH_TC 16V]

This topic was discussed a while ago too. Check out this thread: http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/...?TOPIC_ID=3471

I don't believe that the strut bar will decrease/eliminate torque steer. As PT-Dave said, it has no effect on the torque to the wheels, not does it have any weight balancing effect, which are the main factors in torque steer.

[Adman]

I have done quite a bit of road racing and a strut tower brace can help you maintain your front end suspension geometery under heavy cornering. Subframes are also very useful for taking the twist out of a unibody constructed car.
I have never heard of a strut brace having any effect on torque steer until I came to this forum.
I am with Dave on this one 100%. Just check out some other enthusiast front wheel drive forums and try and find a post claiming reduced torque steer from a strut brace.
No flame suit needed here! Its JMHO
Matthew

[PTGT Redman]

Brace will get the front struts acting in unison but will not affect torque steer. I never noticed a major problem with it anyway.

[lip]

If some of you believe the torque steer is excessively bad with the PT, you haven't driven an 90's and earlier Saab turbo.

I think this is always going to be prevalent in front wheel drive cars. Lowering or using different springs are going to have detrimental effects on the ride quality for general use as well...It would have been ideal to have a rear wheel drive PT but this would have been a different platform altogether and it would never have been built!
Cheers,
LIP

[rockycruiser]

Definitely no flame suits needed, guys. I understand how the strut brace could not ameliorate classic torque steer, but as PTDave points out so well, with equal-length half shafts, there should be little classic torque steer anyway. However, the improvement is there nonetheless. Curiously, I noted in one of the threads on the installation of the Stage I kit, the owner states that the torque steer had improved with the installation of the Stage I. I installed the Stage I and brace at the same time, so can't separate the two variables. Could it be a question of drivetrain harmonic balance?

BTW, this forum is fantastic--even when we get on the "touchy" subjects (eg warranty, dealership service, etc), folks are, for the most part, considerate and helpful. And the collective expertise held by the members ALWAYS impresses me (3barboost, tthrift, mexicanpt, etc). My thanks to all of you folks for sharing your knowledge so freely.[?]

[PT-Dave]

I've got a friend building a custom wheel-standing PT with a big block blown V-8. My guess is that he could REALLY have some torque steer to deal with!

Watch for it next spring. It's called the American Cruiser and his name is Tony Caprio. You may have seen his Texas Bandit PT Pickup Wheelstander at some of the major PT events around the country. It's a sight to behold! [8D]

P.S. Sorry for the hijack! [8D]

[Adman]

quote:Originally posted by PT-Dave

I've got a friend building a custom wheel-standing PT with a big block blown V-8. My guess is that he could REALLY have some torque steer to deal with!

Just tell him to use 2 strut tower braces
Hey Dave...will he be wheel-standing down the track in reverse?[:X]
Matthew

[earringboy]

...I don't think we have equal length half-shafts in the 5-speed, I don't know about the automatics..

[PT-Dave]

quote:Originally posted by Adman

Just tell him to use 2 strut tower braces
Hey Dave...will he be wheel-standing down the track in reverse?[:X]
Matthew

Actually, he will have the big block in the back about where the rear seats and cargo area are and using a v-drive to transfer the power to the rear wheels. From the front and 1/4 side views it will look completely stock, but from the back, watch out! You can see an artist's rendition of the soon to be American Cruiser here: http://www.texasbandit.com