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| '''Torque steering''' is an effect in [[front wheel drive]] cars caused by large amounts of [[torque]] affecting steering in such a way as to make the front wheels "squirm" (oscillate) from side to side under heavy acceleration, noticeable to the driver by the steering wheel being tugged back and forth by the [[wheel]]s. This effect can be engineered out of front wheel drive cars by using a [[double wishbone suspension]] or an advanced [[multi-link suspension]].
| | #REDIRECT [[Torque steering]] |
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| Torque steer is mainly caused by uneven half shafts between the transaxle and wheels. When excessive torque is applied, the longer half shaft flexes more than the shorter one, thus causing one wheel to momentarily spin more slowly than the other, resulting in a steering effect. Ford engineered a simple method of reducing torque steer on its front wheel drive cars by expanding the transaxle to equalize the lengths of the half shafts. | |
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| Torque steer can also be caused when the steering axis of the wheel does not pass through the center of the contact point, where the tire meets the ground; i.e. when steering the stationary car, the center of the contact point of the tire on the ground should not move. However, most wheels are offset, and when steered, the front hub assembly rotates on the bottom ball joint, causing the front wheels to move slightly backward or forward on the ground. This slight movement is magnified by the power of the car when driving, due to the steering assembly and struts being under load. Therefore, when power is applied to the wheels and one wheel hits a bump, the offset of the wheel amplifies this, causing the car to pull toward that side.
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| Any car having both an engine with high torque output (not less than 210N·m or 155lb-ft) and front wheel drive may exhibit some degree of torque steer. Excessive torque steer may also be caused by damage to [[suspension]]/steering components, [[tire]] defects, etc.
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| An example of a car exhibiting torque steer is the front wheel drive [[Volvo S60]] with the T5 engine (greater than 300 N·m torque output). The [[all wheel drive]] version does not have noticable torque steer, nor do the versions with engines producing less torque.
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Latest revision as of 22:51, 1 November 2010
