My 17 RX TWD drives very nicely, and has nearly new Michelins on 20"wheels, with no issues at all. But I have noticed an unsettling tendency for the steering to pull to the right, or left during fairly heavy acceleration , to the point that I have to apply quick steering adjustments. The steering wheel is very firm with no lost motion.The front tire alignment has a small toe-in (about one inch @30'), so that seems reasonable. There is no bushing slop on the lower control arms, and no leakage or binding from the CV joints. The car has 90K mostly highway miles, and is exceptionally clean.
Low speed manuvers are smooth and tight lock-to-lock. Anyone know if the electric steering motor could be contributing to this, since this is a steer by wire system? Thanks for any ideas guys.

Steve

 

It’s called torque steer and it’s common for front wheel drive cars when lots of power is applied. I’ve experienced it with several perfectly normal vehicles.

 

In front wheel drive cars, the torque steer acts to one side only. It comes from uneven length of half-axles that twisted differently depending on the length of axle. Based on specific vehicle design it may be right or left pull, but not both alternating. I suspect in fixmiester case the tires are slipping from heavy torque load. With particular road condition either left or right tire loses its grip causing vehicle to pull to other side.

 

I suspected that it could be the issue, BUT, decades ago I owned an Olds Toranado, which was GM's foray into FWD vehicles (along with the Caddy Eldorado). I was thrilled how it behaved, especially when pushed through corners, since you didn't have to worry about the rear end going sideways on you. Granted these were NOT sports cars, weighing in at 4200+ lbs, but with over 300 hp and gobs of torque, underneath an enormously long hood, they were fun to drive. However, I don't remember any tendency to demonstrate significant torque steer, but then, that was fifty years ago!!! 😗

Thanks for the great feedback, fellows.

Steve

 

Check also LCA bushings that could be worn. This also a common denominator

 

I had a lot of torque steer in my 2017 450H at 50,000 miles. It turns out that both front lower control arm bushings were almost completely gone and the right rear lower control arm was shot. About a $700 repair including the front end alignment at a local garage. There is still the normal amount of torque steer left now but it's no worse than any new front wheel drive car I've owned.