99 Escort steering problem

[Glenn11]

Hi,

My 99 Escort has what feels like a strange problem whereby the steering steers momentarily to one side before seeming to straighten up again. It is most evident when you take your foot off the throttle having just accelarated quite hard, for example to change gear, so as you dip the clutch the car will noticeably steer to one side for a split second. It feels a bit unnerving when it does it. There seems to be no problem when just steadily driving - it's only after accelaration. The steering seems otherwise perfect - no vibration or noises, pulls up in a straight line under braking and it holds a perfectly straight line if you take your hands off the wheel whilst rolling. there is no play in the front wheels either side to side or up/down.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Glenn

[larsen_huw]

Torque steer.

It's what you get from having a car that drives the wrong wheels. It's an inherant failing of a front wheel drive car.

Most manufacturers are able to deal with this problem through the front suspension geometary ... I'd sugest that getting the front suspension professionally alligned (only about £40 or so) would greatly improve things.

Failing that, you're either going to have to live with it, or buy a proper car.

[Glenn11]

Thanks for your response. If it's one of those 'there all like that sir' type problems I guess I'll live with it for now as I fancy swapping it shortly anyhow.

Thanks again.

Glenn

[larsen_huw]

Well to be honest it shouldn't be noticeable on something as underpowered as an Escort ... I would say a £40 laser wheel allignment check is definately money well spent ... even if it doesn't cure the problem it'll pay you back in saved tyre wear within 12 months.

A modern car in good condition should be quite capable of dealing with 150bhp going through the front wheels.

[Glenn11]

It's funny you should say that because I had a couple of new tyres recently and I noticed that the old ones were worn mainly on the inner edge. Is this consistant with your theory? Sounds like it may be. The torque steer, if that's what it is, is definately noticeable and bad enough to be un-nerving. As I rcall it's worse at speed and as I say it occurs when you suddenly shut off the throttle rather than when jumping on the power (all 90 horses of it!)

If you still reckon a wheel alignment check is worth the investment i'll sort it. I notice you are in Brum (i'm in Sutton) do you recommend anywhere?
Cheers,

Glenn

[larsen_huw]

Oops .... i moved from Brum down to Croydon last week .... haven't got round to updating all my profile's yet! :)

No idea of a decent place to use, sorry. Most tyre garages offer an allignment service, weather it be called laser allignment, or 4 swheel allignment or whatever.

Wear wound the inner edge would be consistent with several suspension mis-allignments .... the one that springs to mind immediately is too much negative camber.

Definatley worth investing in a check up.

[tich]

Agree with all comments so far but would suggest a good look at all the bushes on both front wishbones. A worn bush (quite common) could make the inherent problem more noticeable.