Serious Torque Steering

[WTFestiva]

Hey guys, so I'm running into a weird issue, not really a repair thing but wanted some thoughts.

We're running the Mfactory LSD on a Cable G-series tranny (keeping it nice by rebuilding/torquing every year, but beating the hell out of it all the same). The car seems to be suffering from some massive torque steering. whenever the trans engages it pulls a bit to the left, and when disengaging it jerks to the right. It's bad, and at 60+ on gravel a wrong move on that pedal could send us off. I couldn't check if that happened at speed, testing has been at <25mph.

Thoughts on that jerking issue?

My initial thoughts are the Mfactory diff is only engaging the drivers axle but that doesn't make sense to me as when i spin one wheel on stands it moves both sides.
Could it be a minor torque steer compounded with stiffer springs?
Maybe it's the tow-in?

[mikemounlio]

Look at your LCA ball joint! I have this very same issue. In fact i just posted in my OverKILL thread about this issue. I have my front end all tight the one and only thing i can think of is the ball joint is bad. It has slop in it. I have redone the lower core support and the crash bar. The front of my car is solid. The steering wheel is solid. The tie rods are solid. All rubber bushings are good (sway bars bushings showing age but good). The only thing that has play is a single ball joint.

I will be replacing the ball joint tonight. Look back to my thread late tonight to see if this has fixed my issue. But i have 100% the same problem.

My only other thought is that its my toe which i have not checked yet.

[mikemounlio]

I also have a full advanced suspension with stiffer springs. My springs are not set all that tight tho. The are set to the lower limit of the advanced setup.

[Advancedynamix]

This happens on cars without the LSD as well. We have traced it to either a bad ball joint as Mike suggested, bad sway bar bushings, bent sway bar, bad wheel bearing or possibly a stuck caliper.

[Grey Vw]

I'm glad this thread came up. I have this exact problem with the stock B3. I'll be checking my ball joints soon.

I initially thought it was due to a dead engine mount.

[WTFestiva]

I've got a lot of bushings that really need tightened up, but i just had the thing go through inspection, hope our guy didn't miss checking the ball joints... There's a few spots on my front forks that need a bit of welding touchup (bent from tree impacts :/), hoping that isn't the issue as I don't have a lot of time for that.

to do:
- Will check ball joints when we get the time
- Will make a list of good/bad bushings
- re-check wheel bearings
- Check if sway bar bent
- check if calipers stuck

[mikemounlio]

Check the ball joint and report back. I would like to know what all you do and what fixes your issue. I will report tonight on my new LCA!

[Advancedynamix]

I've got a lot of bushings that really need tightened up, but i just had the thing go through inspection, hope our guy didn't miss checking the ball joints... There's a few spots on my front forks that need a bit of welding touchup (bent from tree impacts :/), hoping that isn't the issue as I don't have a lot of time for that.

to do:
- Will check ball joints when we get the time
- Will make a list of good/bad bushings
- re-check wheel bearings
- Check if sway bar bent
- check if calipers stuck

Yeah, bent parts could do it too. Anything that causes the caster to be different from one side to the other.

[mikemounlio]

LCA was my issue. I swapped it out and my torque steer when on and off throttle is 100% gone. I now only have torque steer when a tire breaks lose.

[bhazard]

I now only have torque steer when a tire breaks lose.

That's not torque steer haha

[skeeters_keeper]

A bad rack has a simmilar effect. Usually its most noticable in long sweepers while feathering on and off the throttle.

[mikemounlio]

I will be swapping to my rio rack this weekend.

[Grey Vw]

I just went out and checked my LCA ball joints and they were very tight. I did find a half missing sway bar to LCA bushing and one of my tie rods had an 1/8" of play.

I also have a Rio rack going in and ordered the Moog bushings.

[FestYboy]

Quick question: how is everyone testing their ball joints? I have a feeling some are being missed due to not being tested correctly; i.e. shaking at 12 and 6 won't show but the very worst of them.

[ryanprins13]

Quick question: how is everyone testing their ball joints? I have a feeling some are being missed due to not being tested correctly; i.e. shaking at 12 and 6 won't show but the very worst of them.

I put the lca on a jackstand then shake the tire. Is that good enough?

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