Steering WHeel Isn't Straight... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

N35QU!K · 08-21-2007, 12:47 AM

For some reason, on my '92 Gen3, to go straight, I have to turn the wheel ever so slightly to the right... Its pretty noticeable when you're driving.

What's the problem, and how can I fix it?

mikeyq926 · 08-21-2007, 12:57 AM

most likely wheel alignment. tho most front wheel drive cars have a tendency to ever so slightly either steer left or right because of wheel torque. my car veers to the right very slightly because of it too.

vdop69 · 08-21-2007, 12:59 AM

I experience the same thing on my 00 Camry, Ive had it aligned and when driving straight the wheel is slightly slanted to the right. Maybe its normal?

Dave's · 08-21-2007, 01:54 AM

As mentioned, this can be corrected with an alignment. Was probably caused by one. The wheel has to be held perfectly straight as they make their adjustments.

Novice_cardude · 08-21-2007, 10:31 PM

Most likely an alignment issue, but it can be several things:

1. A bad front-end part is allowing toe to shift in or out on one side, bringing the steer ahead over to the left, so to go straight, you gotta put the wheel to the right.

2. Toe simply shifted due to scuffing a curb (it doesn't take much at all), or normal wear and tear on front end parts and bushings.

3. Rear thrust angle has changed, again due to bumping a curb (I did it once barely moving at all backing into a parking space, and my wheel shifted a little to the left), making you dog walk slightly, thus you gotta turn your wheel to the right to compensate for the dog walk.

Could be some other things too. Most places have a free alignment check, so you can at least see where you're sitting. If that's the cause of the problem, go from there.

GrkBallaG · 08-21-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdop69

I experience the same thing on my 00 Camry, Ive had it aligned and when driving straight the wheel is slightly slanted to the right. Maybe its normal?

Maybe its normal to have techs up there who cant do an alignment worth shit

. Everytime i do an alighment i dont let it go out the door with out the steering wheel being perfectly str8, its a good habit i have

Admiral · 08-22-2007, 09:52 AM

i too discovered i have the same issue this week. I thought it was an alignment issue and apparently isn ot. The guy at the shop said it has what is known as 'torque steer'. I dont know if that is correct or not. You will know 'torque steer' is the problem if when you take your foot off the gas, it goes in a straight line, but when you apply the accelerator it starts veering to one side. I notice on mine that the harder I hit the gas, the more it drives crooked. It was suggested to me by someone... (someone that blows things out of proportion)... that it could be tie rods/ control arms/ bushings/ etc.
But get the alignment done first and see how things go.

mikeyq926 · 08-22-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral

i too discovered i have the same issue this week. I thought it was an alignment issue and apparently isn ot. The guy at the shop said it has what is known as 'torque steer'. I dont know if that is correct or not. You will know 'torque steer' is the problem if when you take your foot off the gas, it goes in a straight line, but when you apply the accelerator it starts veering to one side. I notice on mine that the harder I hit the gas, the more it drives crooked. It was suggested to me by someone... (someone that blows things out of proportion)... that it could be tie rods/ control arms/ bushings/ etc.
But get the alignment done first and see how things go.

yes it is torque steer because front wheel drive cars are well... front wheel drive. haha

N35QU!K · 08-22-2007, 02:40 PM

That sounds about right... And it has something to do with the LSD, right?

DarkMastyr · 08-22-2007, 05:18 PM

Torque steer is because the half shaft on front wheel drive cars are different lengths left and right. When you mash on the gas hard enough, one of the half shafts spins momentarily faster than the other, and you get spin in one wheel. An LSD attempts to minimize this effect.

GrkBallaG · 08-22-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkMastyr

Torque steer is because the half shaft on front wheel drive cars are different lengths left and right.

That is correct.

The other part not so much so. Torque steer is not caused by one of the shafts spinning faster than the other, its caused because one shaft is longer than the other and torque transfers better through the longer one than the shorter one, thus causing the vehicle to pull to the left or right. Nissan maximas (v6) are infamous for torque steer.