Torque steer gone

[GTSteve]

I lowered my GT and installed the strut brace this weekend. All parts came from PT-Tuning. You can see pics in other threads.

I wanted to start a new thread on "torque steer."

This is my first front wheel drive car so you can bet I was surprised the first time I romped on it with only one hand on the wheel. WOW! I just about drove off the road. This is how I learned about torque steer.

Now for the good news. Since installing these parts, TORQUE STEER IS GONE!!!!

Has anyone else discovered the same thing?

I now wish I would have installed the springs first and drove the car for a week before installing the brace. This way, I could tell for sure what difference each of them made.

I am guessing that the strut brace is what helped the most. Regardless I am very happy and the car seems WAY SAFEER to drive.

Anyone else have input on this?

[rice_killing_GT]

I'm putting in my springs this weekend. Then I'll be recieving the strut bar sometime next week, so I should be able to tell you what made the difference.

Same strut bar as you but I'll be putting in Eibach Springs.

[PianT]

Thanks for the post, I have driven many front wheel drive cars and never have I felt as much torque steer as the GT PT. I mean, if I give it a little even at relatively slow speeds turning left off a red light the thing tries to pull the wheel out of my hand. Honestly I though there was something wrong with it until I saw some of the postings about that.

To bad we have to finish building the car the right way, like I've said before these and other (minor) mods make a world of difference in this vehicle, DCX could have saved us the trouble and built it right in the first place. Don't get me wrong I love the car it just seems obvious that they "cheaped" out in some area's.

[Punch]

I noticed a drop in torque steer with the strut brace also, I have stock springs.

[Punch]

To bad we have to finish building the car the right way, like I've said before these and other (minor) mods make a world of difference in this vehicle, DCX could have saved us the trouble and built it right in the first place. Don't get me wrong I love the car it just seems obvious that they "cheaped" out in some area's.
[/quote]

they could have built it right, and you would end up paying twice as much. they wouldn't have sold many, and dropped it altogether.

[PT-Dave]

I guess you will be able to figure out from my reply that I am not a believer in the strut brace for anything other than looks. In my opinion, and I stress, OPINION, the strut brace cannot help with torque steer. How could it? It has no mass, or appreciable weight that would improve traction. I race my GT almost every weekend at a NHRA sanctioned drag strip (1/8) and have NEVER had a problem with torque steer. I did have some wheel hop issues when I attempted to blast off too hard, but by stiffening the upper engine torque mount, I was able to get it under control.

Torque steer problems will manifest themselves during a turn under extreme power, but again, a strut brace will not help. There is not enough mass or bulk for it to be effective. I will never believe that there is enough flex in the entire front end sheet metal assembly that the addition of a mere bar, mounted a few inches from the firewall, would fix.

Want one for looks? Go for it! For performance, spend your money elsewhere.

[Flame suit on now]

[GTSteve]

Dave:

I started this whole thing for the exact reason you state. I want to believe that the brace works yet I am having a hard time believing it.

However, how do you explain the fact that the car goes straight when I romp on it when before it would take a right turn? I don't race so I am not an expert. You have way more experience than I.

I do know that many others have complained about torque steer issues.

[PT-Dave]

GTSteve,

I would look to tire pressure first. They should be the same. Varying road conditions is a second suspect. It doesn't take much difference between the tire traction to make one pull harder than the other. Weight distribution is also in play to some degree, with different drivers and the general crown slope on a standard roadway also figuring in the equation. Now we are talking about STRAIGHT line torque pull here and why it can (and does) happen.

Anytime you are in a slight turn under full power, then torque steer is a major consideration and must be accounted for by the driver. A strut brace will *NOT* help or even be noticable. Obviously, at the drag strip, the surface is very level and the traction is equal. With proper tire pressure, absolutely no torque steer is present. I have made well in excess of 150 runs, and not once have I ever experienced *ANY* torque steer. I might add that I am a very agressive driver both on the strip and sometimes on the road, so I do have a great deal of personal experience to draw from. Just don't punch it around a corner unless you are hanging on for dear life!

[rockycruiser]

It might be an issue of semantics. I reported on my installation of the strut brace 2 weeks ago, and noted that the steering felt less torquey--which is true. In fact, having driven the car now for more than 2 weeks, I can state that the steering is DEFINITELY less torquey. This may not be classic torque steer--perhaps it involves flexing in the steering linkage. However, one thing is for certain--the car now tracks much straighter under power.

[LAF]

This reminds me of the great "fork brace" debate on the Harley Sportster fourms. I have a fork brace on my bike, to me it helps, it ties the two fork tubes together. At 80-100 it used to be real wobbley to say the least, with the brace it is gone, one of the first mods I did to my bike. The BTG was done on the PT as soon as it was released. It too makes a BIG differance to me. With 1200 miles on it and Stage 1. I can say that with the stage 1 and power increase and then the strut brace it drives and handels better with the brace. Makes sense to me, it is very ridged, ties the two sides together. Torque steer cure not sure, straiter tracking and better handeling, WITHOUT a doubt! Ohh I paid as much for my bikes fork brace as I paid for the BTG strut brace. One other thing I have done in all FWD cars I have owned is lower the front tire pres. by about 4 psi from my rears as this does help in torque steer also.