Torque steering to the right on takeoff

[gmaghera]

I notice some torque steering with my AWD, but only on takeoff from standstill. Recently had it aligned and it drives straight otherwise. The pull is very light, almost unnoticeable with the hands on the wheel. If I take my hands off, however, the steering wheel will want to go almost a quarter turn to the right when taking off.

 

Anyone else experiencing this? I understand that AWD is supposed to mitigate torque steer, but I wonder if it does not work as well on takeoffs.

 

Thanks,

Gabor

[NatG]

Maybe a bit, particularly under heavy throttle, but that's to be expected. It's still a FWD based AWD system. Although the AWD definitely helps on launch, it doesn't eliminate the Torque Steer. I noticed the same issue with the Venza, Journey, and other FWD based AWD cross overs when test driving them.

[dinodinomyte]

I was wondering if this is normal too. Have you spoken to FORD about this?

[Dingo]

Mine's FWD, but it tries to change lanes at WOT.

[gmaghera]

I was wondering if this is normal too. Have you spoken to FORD about this?

 

I haven't, but I will next time I'm there.

[Fingernip]

Totally normal. It does not have locking diffs and the AWD system is not symmetrical so you wont have instant power to all 4 wheels at launch (probably would still pull anyway without at least brake lock diffs)

[Edge Limited]

Torque steer is caused by the front drive shafts being of different lengths. Any FWD or AWD will pull in the direction of the longer driveshaft. In the case of the Edge or MKX, the trans is to the left of the engine, therefore, the right driveshaft is longer. The pull you feel is normal. The harder you accelerate, the harder the pull.

[gmaghera]

Thanks for the explanation. I had an alignment done at the dealership and they've also confirmed this being normal. They even took a brand new '12 Edge from the lot for a test spin, to see if the behavior was consistent. It was. They called it an idiosyncrasy of the car.

[flyerjmr33]

Thanks for the explanation. I had an alignment done at the dealership and they've also confirmed this being normal. They even took a brand new '12 Edge from the lot for a test spin, to see if the behavior was consistent. It was. They called it an idiosyncrasy of the car.

 

Ford fixed that problem when they came out with the originasl Taurus/Sable---- they had equal length drive shafts--- then as they "improved" things, they un-fixed the problem.

Edited March 1, 2012 by flyerjmr33

[gmaghera]

UPDATE: Sometime after posting this, I discovered that one of my rims was slightly deformed, which probably amplified the little bit of torque steer on take off. Once replaced, the torque steer effect diminished, but it did not completely go away. I have purchased a 2014 Fusion Titanium, that is also AWD, and it exhibits similar symptoms. There's a tad of a nudge to the right - the outer part of the steering wheel might move a half of an inch to an inch towards the right when taking off (with the hands off the wheel), and then it settles dead center once the AWD system kicks in.

Edited November 21, 2014 by gmaghera

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like all is a-ok now! Still have your Edge, or the Fusion is a replacement?

[gmaghera]

I still have the Edge. The Fusion was a replacement for a Honda CR-V. It's very apparent that the two Ford models share the same platform. The driving characteristics are similar.