Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Torque Steer ???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 30, 2023 | 08:05 PM
  #1  
d.moscatelli@comcast's Avatar
d.moscatelli@comcast
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 93
Likes: 12
Default Torque Steer ???

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.

Thanks,
Reply
Old May 30, 2023 | 08:54 PM
  #2  
jackthelad's Avatar
jackthelad
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Default

Never experienced it on a rear drive car. Definitely an issue on powerful front drivers.

Time to check rear bushings and tie rods, I would think.
Reply
Old May 31, 2023 | 06:15 AM
  #3  
hyperv6's Avatar
hyperv6
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 1,690
From: North Coast
Default

I wager a bushing or ball joint is worn. It changes the rear end alignment and create what is called bump steer.

The toe in changes and makes the car wonder.
Reply
Old May 31, 2023 | 08:06 AM
  #4  
yellow2007's Avatar
yellow2007
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,183
From: Conyers Georgia
Default

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........
Reply
Old May 31, 2023 | 09:37 AM
  #5  
formula1nut's Avatar
formula1nut
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 74
From: Ontario
Default

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,
Reply
Old May 31, 2023 | 09:38 AM
  #6  
MWWarlord's Avatar
MWWarlord
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Community Builder
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,590
Likes: 3,317
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 31, 2023 | 11:30 AM
  #7  
Dads2kconvertible's Avatar
Dads2kconvertible
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
Default

Originally Posted by d.moscatelli@comcast
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.

Reply
Old May 31, 2023 | 11:35 AM
  #8  
acroy's Avatar
acroy
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,414
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
Default

Alignment, or something is worn
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 31, 2023 | 01:14 PM
  #9  
cdee63's Avatar
cdee63
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 2,041
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2023 | 07:36 AM
  #10  
4XLR8N's Avatar
4XLR8N
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Pro Mechanic
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,814
Likes: 2,266
From: Brighton MI
Default

Originally Posted by hyperv6
I wager a bushing or ball joint is worn. It changes the rear end alignment and create what is called bump steer.

The toe in changes and makes the car wonder.
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2023 | 09:18 PM
  #11  
d.moscatelli@comcast's Avatar
d.moscatelli@comcast
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 93
Likes: 12
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2023 | 10:30 AM
  #12  
jackthelad's Avatar
jackthelad
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by d.moscatelli@comcast
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.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2023 | 12:49 PM
  #13  
formula1nut's Avatar
formula1nut
Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 74
From: Ontario
Default

If I were you I would get the alignment done first. It is the least expensive option and highest potential benefit.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2023 | 01:29 PM
  #14  
hyperv6's Avatar
hyperv6
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 1,690
From: North Coast
Default

Getting an alignment will bring to light any worn parts or parts out of spec.

That is how you fine the bad stuff as it will not line up.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2023 | 02:33 PM
  #15  
yellow2007's Avatar
yellow2007
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 1,183
From: Conyers Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by d.moscatelli@comcast

And Yellow2007, just by installing new wheels, the drifting is gone??

Thanks for all the input.
Oddly enough yes.......
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2023 | 04:20 PM
  #16  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,319
Likes: 24,777
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by formula1nut
If I were you I would get the alignment done first. It is the least expensive option and highest potential benefit.
This would be the first thing I would do. Any bad/worn parts can be replaced at the same time.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2023 | 07:55 PM
  #17  
d.moscatelli@comcast's Avatar
d.moscatelli@comcast
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 93
Likes: 12
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2023 | 08:12 PM
  #18  
hyperv6's Avatar
hyperv6
Melting Slicks
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 1,690
From: North Coast
Default

Originally Posted by d.moscatelli@comcast
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.
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2023 | 10:28 AM
  #19  
d.moscatelli@comcast's Avatar
d.moscatelli@comcast
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 93
Likes: 12
Default

Thank you HyperV6
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Torque Steer ???





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:47 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE