Aspire Swap: steering under acceleration

[jamesmc]

I finished the Aspire swap, and got it aligned. As a summary, this is what has changed:
New Festiva LCA
New Festiva Inner TRE
New Aspire outer TRE
Aspire Swaybar
Aspire hub assembly, brakes
Aspire struts (front)

Now, the issue is whenever I accelerate. The steering wheel shifts to the right. It won't shift back until I let off. It's very sudden when it does, and doesn't feel like normal torque steer; it's very excessive. In 1st/2nd gear, it's almost impossible to hold the car straight at WOT. The problem is still there at higher speeds, even up to 95-100mph. Feels like the car is tilting, and then it falls back down.

I changed to Aspire front struts, and the problem was still there. While doing that, I checked over everything and it all seems solid. Nothing is loose, and there's no play in the steering. Also, the issue started when I did the front swap, the rear beam had been on the car for a week with no ill effects.

I just don't really know where to start. Any ideas?

[william]

when mine was doing this is was a loose front sway bar mount allowing the sway bar to move and push/pull on the lower control arm making the wheel shift and drift off to one side.

[jamesmc]

when mine was doing this is was a loose front sway bar mount allowing the sway bar to move and push/pull on the lower control arm making the wheel shift and drift off to one side.

Turns out the passenger-side mount was loose. Tightening it still hasn't fixed the issue though. Maybe the bushings should be replaced? I guess I'll take another look at the LCA tomorrow to see if it might not be sitting correctly for whatever reason.

[nitrofarm]

How are the inner tie rods?

[jamesmc]

How are the inner tie rods?

Brand new. No play at all.

[FestYboy]

pulling to the right should indicate an issue with the left side. also check your trans mounts.

[angrygocart]

If everything is installed correctly then I would guess that something is damaged or bent. I had a Saturn which pulled to one side while driving over a bumps. Alignment was checked and it was within spec. Turned out to be a bent rear control arm. Are the Aspire struts, swaybar and hubs used? May be possible that the Aspire was involved in an accident.

[Occhty]

Mine did this too, my fix was new front sway bar to body mount rubber. And then took off the 13s and put on 14s cleared right up

[nitrofarm]

Same issue with my ATX Aspire's maiden voyage

I'm having exact same issue.Down right scary to drive. But mine isnt as pronounced as yours. Im going to strap the car's back end down. And try to drive car forward while looking for the issue. I'm jus praying its not the diff.

[nitrofarm]

Well I chained the rear end down.Had the Boss repeatedly apply power then lift off the throttle.The only thing I see moving is the tranny.And its moving a lot.Time for some new mounts.Hope this cures it.

[Movin]

Check your steering rack for play up and down, a static check like for mounts will not
usually show this but the problem is the same symptom while driving.

If your rack is in line with the arm on the knuckle this usually is not a problem
but all the changing may have altered this a little.

[jamesmc]

Today I rotated one of the rear tires to the front. Two of the four wheels have tires with very good tread depth, and two have noticeably less. The guy I bought them from said they were only used a couple times on a track.

So anyway, putting the two tires with good tread on the front seems to have solved the issue. At WOT in any gear, the car stays relatively straight. Of course there is still a little torque steer, but it's very manageable. And definitely better than before the Aspire swap.

[crazyrog17]

Rotating two uneven masses effects torque!

[Bert]

If you completed an 'eyeballed' front wheel alignment that can sometimes contribute to bizzare steering. An Aspire rear beam installation on a Festy will give you a wider wheelbase at the back than at the front and many of us backyard mechanics with straight edge, string, chalk and tapemeasures are often unaware of that. Excessive toe-in is the end result.

[iceracerdude]

I believe it's also supposed top be toed out slightly. I toe mine out about a 1/16 of an inch a side. I run about 135hp