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So you remember when all the cars started to be built with front wheel drive, around the late 70's or the early 80's???? Many of those vehicles had a problem called torque steer. When cruising , steering wheel held straight, cruise control on, the vehicle would go relatively straight. But when the throttle was released, the car would gently drift to the left, and when the throttle was applied, the vehicle would gently drift to the right. And soon you were in a state where you were constantly correcting the steering wheel to counter , what was known as torques steer.
Well, I know our C5's are rear wheel drive only, but I find my self correcting the steering wheel when I let off the throttle and correcting again when apply the throttle. So when I'm not using the cruise control, but trying to hold a steady speed with my right foot on the throttle, I find my self slightly correcting the steering wheel to the left and to the right..
Has anyone ever heard of this in a C5 ? and if so what was the issue. And even if you have not heard of this, I would appreciate any input you all have.
FWIW,
I had a similar issue with my 2000 a few months ago. I wouldn't call it torque steer though. My Impala does that under acceleration. If I looked away for a moment the car would seem to "drift" ever so slightly. Had the car looked at and could find nothing wrong. Last month I put on a new set of wheels and I have noticed that since then the "drift" is gone........
I know torque steer well and generally it is not at all gentle. Are you not experiencing the crown in the road? Roads are designed like the roof of a house to permit drainage. So if you are motoring on a straight road over time the car will always drift to the right. Quite often an alignment can adjust it out,
There is no torque steer on a rear wheel drive car. In a turn, you can press the throttle to generate oversteer. If you're trying to go in a straight line, and the car is drifting one way or the other, I would suggest getting an alignment done. As others have stated it's possible that you have a bad bushing.
a problem called torque steer. When cruising , steering wheel held straight, cruise control on, the vehicle would go relatively straight. But when the throttle was released, the car would gently drift to the left, and when the throttle was applied, the vehicle would gently drift to the right.
Note that your definition is different than GM's definition.
This is the definition used in the 2000 service manual: On a dry, smooth, flat road, the vehicle has a left or right steering force that is eliminated when the transmission is shifted into Neutral. The level of steering force is usually (but not always) dependent on the amount of torque which is applied by the engine. Torque steer at constant highway speed is frequently mistaken for lead/pull.
Something in the rear suspension is worn or damaged allowing the rear wheel or wheels to move under load, this will deviate the path as if the rear wheels were being steered which in effect they are. I am very familiar with the issue not on the Vette but my Jeep which has a four link suspended live rear axle which replaced the previous 3 link it had stock. When the bushings in either the LCA's or UCA gets worn it allows the axle to move fore and aft causing a rear steer condition.
Ok, so i will check all the tie rods and bushings. Vehicle has 73,000 ,So i guess I shouldn't be surprised if it needs any of these items. Then I will need to get. an alignment.
And Yellow2007, just by installing new wheels, the drifting is gone??
Ok, so i will check all the tie rods and bushings. Vehicle has 73,000 ,So i guess I shouldn't be surprised if it needs any of these items. Then I will need to get. an alignment.
And Yellow2007, just by installing new wheels, the drifting is gone??
Thanks for all the input.
If a tire has worn unevenly, it can cause a slight "pull" one way or the other, so new wheels titres can easily fix it.
Ok, so the suggestion is to get an alignment first. But I thought you could not have an alignment done if any of the steering or suspension components are worn out/loose ?
So this is why I am trying to track down any rear suspension parts that are worn. My left rear tie rod end boot is torn, and I so I packed it with axle grease as a band aid before I could get around to replacing it.
As a matter of good maintenance I will be replacing both left and right inner and outer rear tie rods. I will get the alignment as close as possible and then get it aligned.
Any thoughts as to if I should replace with OE or use something more performance minded?
Any suggestions on where I can get a lowered 98 C5 aligned ? I'm in the Chicago area ( southwest suburb ). Yes I'm still alive.
Ok, so the suggestion is to get an alignment first. But I thought you could not have an alignment done if any of the steering or suspension components are worn out/loose ?
So this is why I am trying to track down any rear suspension parts that are worn. My left rear tie rod end boot is torn, and I so I packed it with axle grease as a band aid before I could get around to replacing it.
As a matter of good maintenance I will be replacing both left and right inner and outer rear tie rods. I will get the alignment as close as possible and then get it aligned.
Any thoughts as to if I should replace with OE or use something more performance minded?
Any suggestions on where I can get a lowered 98 C5 aligned ? I'm in the Chicago area ( southwest suburb ). Yes I'm still alive.
An alignment will tell you all that is wrong. Fix what you know and take it in. They may find more parts out of spec.
Aligning is measuring to see if it is right p. What is wrong either is adjusted or replaced.
They will adjust and align both front and rear.if street driving OE is more than enough.