Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Is it torque steer?

This post is generally directed at anyone who has custom wheels with a different offset than stock (that pushes the wheels further out a tad):

I notice with my summer wheels (they have an offset that is 10mm different than stock rims) that the car will want to follow the curviture of the road. For example, If there is a ridge in the middle of the road (like normal), and I go to pass someone, as soon as my driver's side wheels crest that ridge, the car lurches to the downsloap side of the ridge. It does it again when the passenger side wheels crest the ridge in the road. Now the ridge isn't too big, its just a normal road, but I never have anything remotely close to this problem with my stock wheels/rims.

I notice this anytime the wheels crest some sort of undulation in the road that would pull the car to the left or right.

Is this directly a result of the extra 10mm offset of the wheels? Or is it crappy tires (old old old dunlops that sat in storage for about 4-5 years)? Or is it something else?

Any thoughts?

It definately isn't torque steer. That is something that happens during hard acceleration. What you are experiencing is something way different. Never had any wheels other than stock. Some day though.

Well, it is more apparent during hard acceleration though too. Actually, it's maybe just harder to control and keep the car perfectly straight under hard accelleration, on a rolly road.

Side note: I don't notice it much at all on a really flat road, where the road doesnt have the usuall low-points where a pair of wheels has driven over it for years. New roads: i'm generally fine. Older roads with ridges and such, i'm trying to keep it straight as it wants to pull all over the place (depending if I crest a ridge or not).

My guess is the tires. Probably more prone to do so if they are low profile. What kind of tires do you have?

Dunlop GT Qualifiers 225/50/R15

They came with the rims that I bought off of one of my friends who used to own a '96 mystique. They sat in storage for almost 5 years. The tires have always gotten horrible reviews, it wouldn't suprise me if they're the culprit. But they still seem to have some tread life on them, and I didnt want to replace them prematurely if new tires would do the same thing.

Tires are most likely the culprit. I had some low profile Dunlops on my 944 awhile back, and they grabbed every little ripple in the road. Ruts in asphalt roads and transitions to off ramps were killer, especially under acceleration or breaking.

I have BFG KDWS 225/50/ZR16 on my stock rims and I have that exact same problem...it's really bad and really annoyting too, but i'm stuck with these tires for at least another 10,000 miles. And I do think it's the tires, because I've had the dealer look at it 3x and Belle Tire once, and they say everything looks fine under the car.

I have it the worst comeing to a stop on uneven blacktop my steer wheel jerks every which way, it makes me look like i'm drunk I think.

My sister has a 2001 Saab 9-3. That car has pronounced torque steer-it was a little scary, and nothing I've ever come close to noticing with my CSVT. Plus, the Saab felt so front-heavy, I thought I was carrying a snowplow. It really made me appreciate the CSVT's sweet steering.

I have the exact same problem running 225/45/17's that are now bald, from memory I don't recall them doing that when they were new. Also during the winter I use 15" steelies and I don't notice the problem like I do now. I'm hoping new tires cures my issues.

i get that with my firestones too. stock size.