Originally posted by DNeinstadt:
!!!

Background info: '98.5 SVT Contour, 51k miles.

Engine: Complete 3L Swap from an '03 Sable (30k miles) 1,000 miles ago due to transmission self "ventilation".

Trans: MTX75 with new shift forks, Torsen LSD, newer style shift tower, B&M short shifter.

Wheels: OZ Racing Superlegarra with 17" 215-45-ZR17 tires.

Brakes: Baer Big Brake kit with stainless lines, different pads, etc.

Suspension: Ground control (?) coilovers with Koni yellow adjustable shocks. Currently set all the way on high for winter driving, previous setting was on "Ant killer".

Bracing: Strut tower brace (brand unknown) and rear strut brace.

Issues:
#1. When accelerating quite BRISKLY (WOT) from a stop sign, if not touching steering wheel will turn VERY sharp and car swerves VERY violently towards one side of road or another. This happens in 1st or 2nd gear in the higher RPM's and orientation is random. When doing "hands on" driving, can feel a definete pull one side or another and requires Incredible Hulk arms to keep driving straight.

#2. When taking a sharp turn from a dead stop, hear a grinding like metal on metal. Problem doesn't seem to exist at higher speeds nor does it seem to exist in reverse. Only forward gears (that I know of).

Troubleshooting steps at this point:
General alignment *IS* off, but not bad enough where it would swerve that bad at idle-80% throttle. Obviously I jacked up car and checked for brake dragging, wheels rubbing, etc. Only weird thing is that when you spin the wheel while in air, it makes slight creaking noise, but could be within trans, bearings, anything, etc.

OK. My GUESSES at this point are:

1. The torque steer is overcoming the LSD and causing ONE wheel to spin while the other isn't. This presents a problem since the LSD should be "catching up", making them both spin SOMEWHERE near the same speed?

2. The alignment is so off that it is moving that direction under chassis flex. I have wondered if I have a bad motor mount/trans mount, causing entire drivetrain to twist, causing misalignment while under WOT.

3. The last theory I can think of is that the trans or LSD are not doing their jobs or it is hindering one or the other. Something is defintely wrong and if not treated could get worse. These problems did NOT occur with stock motor, but only drove w/ 2.5L for about 2 months. Never really got a chance to get on it much and never noticed grinding noises.

Any thoughts?

Dan




1. I t sounds as if the lsd is not working who installed it??

2. It sounds like a wheel bearing that is worn out. They seam to wear every 50,000 miles. Wheel bearing early failure where it is only at turing it grinds. If it gets really worn it eventually allways grinds.

3. I beleive u have enourmous amount of torque steer. The lsd is not doing its job or something with the shafts. Did u replace your axels? Maybe look at that first. hmm it could be that the axels could be casuing both these problems?

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