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Torque steer

Torque steer — What is it?

When a vehicle uses axle shafts of different lengths on two drive wheels, the vehicle can encounter a pull to one side. Torque steer is caused by the longer axle twisting slightly when high torque power is applied. The slight twisting in the longer axle causes a slight delay in the transmission of torque to the attached wheel. The shorter shaft transmits the torque without twisting causing that wheel to be the main driving wheel. The result is a light pull to the side with the shortest axle. The pull can actually be felt in the steering wheel as it rotates slightly to the side with the shorter axle.

torque steer

How manufacturers can avoid torque steer

In transmission designs where the axle shafts must be different lengths, carmakers can avoid torque steer issues by increasing the diameter of the longer shaft to reduce twist during high torque events.

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Posted on by Rick Muscoplat

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