Torque Steer
1. Put vehicle on hoist.
A. Visually inspect for damaged front and/or rear suspension or steering components.
B. Check for obvious brake drag.
C. Swap left front tire/wheel assembly with right front tire/wheel assembly. Cross only the front tires/wheels. Do not perform a standard or modified 'X' rotation.
2. Re-ride the vehicle.
A. If the vehicle is fixed, OK.
B . If the vehicle torque steers in the opposite direction from
the original complaint, the problem is most likely to be tire related. Proceed to step 3.
C. If the vehicle torque steers in the same direction, proceed to step 4.
3. Tire/wheel rotation for torque steer.
A. Swap LF tire/wheel assembly with LR tire/wheel and re-ride.
B. If vehicle is fixed, replace LR tire (tire that was originally on RF). If vehicle is not fixed replace RF tire (tire that was originally on LF.)
C. Re-ride to confirm fix. Labor operations E0100 and E0420.
4. Measure front suspension "Z" heights as specified in Service Manual.
One method of taking this measurement is to stretch a string tightly between the grease fittings on the bottom of the ball joints and measure the distance up from the string to the bottom surface of the suspension support.
If the side-to-side difference is greater than 6 mm (1/4 inch), correct the "Z" heights to equal settings. "Z" height can be increased by installing a new service replacement spring that is one part number "stronger" (or more if required) than the original equipment spring. Each subsequent spring code will result in approximately 8 mm (3/8 inch) difference in "Z" height from the previous code.
5. Re-ride the vehicle.
A. If the vehicle is fixed, OK. Labor operation E3020 or E3021.
B. If the vehicle still torque steers, proceed to next step.
Figure 1:
6. Measure transaxle heights-see Figure 1.
Side-to-side transaxle heights should be equal. If side-to-side differences are greater than 6 mm (1/4 inch), follow the engine shake-down procedure.
Figure 2:
A. Loosen the engine/transaxle to body mounts.
B. Start the vehicle and shift from reverse to drive slowly three times to re-settle the engine/transaxle assembly.
C. Block vehicle wheels and apply park and service brakes. With an assistant watching the engine, make sure the transmission mount is not grounded against the stop in drive. If so, shift the mount until the rubber stop is not contacting the mount with the engine in drive. Refer to Figure 2. (1992 Sunbird models only).
D. Re-tighten all engine and transaxle mounts to body.
E. Check to see if the engine/transaxle is not level by measuring as described above. If it is not level, shim engine/transaxle mounts to raise the side with the lowest reading, using appropriate wheel alignment shim stock. Labor operation T4639. Labor time for T4639 is .5 Hour.
7. Re-ride the vehicle
A. If the vehicle is fixed, OK.
B. If the vehicle still torque steers, contact Technical Assistance.
Memory Steer
1. Replace upper strut mount/bearing assemblies following procedure in Service Manual. See Miscellaneous notes # 9.
2. Re-ride the vehicle.
A. If the vehicle is fixed, OK. Labor operation E3927.
B. If the vehicle still exhibits memory steer, the steering gear may have high friction and should be replaced. See miscellaneous notes # 9.
Labor operation E9730.
Steering Wheel Angle Not 'Centered'
Reset toe-in with steering wheel locked in 'centered' position. Confirm that steering wheel is straight. Labor operation E2000.
Other Corrective Action Procedures
Check ball joints for binding or sticking by raising the vehicle on a hoist, and disconnect the tie rods. Move the tires back and forth and feel for any binding or sticking. If any is felt, the ball joint(s) may need to be replaced.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
1. Poor alignment will not cause vibration complaints.
2. Toe-in does not affect leads/pulls or torque steer. It only affects steering wheel angle and tire wear.
3. Camber and caster values should not change during vehicle shipment.
4. Some caster adjustments may be made using the following procedure, which utilizes available tolerance in fastener holes. Do not file or elongate any body sheet metal.
A. Loosen the 6 suspension support bolts on the side needing adjustment.
B. Using a pry bar or other appropriate tool, adjust the suspension support forward to increase caster, or rearward to decrease caster.
C. Tighten the 6 suspension support bolts while holding the suspension support in the desired position.
D. Loosen the 3 strut mount fasteners in the engine compartment and move the top of the strut rearward to increase caster or forward to decrease caster.
5. Never modify body sheet metal to adjust caster or camber on Sunbird and Grand Am vehicles. There is not enough structure or inside spring clearance to do so.
6. Always confirm calibration of alignment machine before calling Technical Assistance.
7. Try a known good set of tires on a continual problem vehicle before calling Technical Assistance. This will rule out tires as a cause of the problem.
8. If it is necessary to call Technical Assistance, please have the following information ready to give to the Technical Assistance Engineer:
A. Nature of complaint - What the customer complained about, mileage, and whether it is a torque steer, lead/pull, memory steer, or steering wheel off center.
B. Last calibration date of alignment rack, type of equipment and model number.
C. Tire size and brand, and condition of tires.
D. Before and after alignment readings.
E. "Z" heights.
F. Call only after attached procedure(s) has been performed.
9. For vehicles still under warranty, please use correct labor operation codes for what has been done, and keep records (before/after measurements, customer concern, etc).
E0100 is the labor operation number used for warranty claims for front tire swaps because of lead/pull or torque steer concerns.
TEXT ZONE E2020 is the labor operation number used for warranty claims for toe adjust. Correct repair is to reset front wheel individual and sum toe while locking the steering wheel in correct level position. Do not use E2020 to claim a toe adjust. Remember that a toe adjust will not correct torque steer or leads/pulls; it only corrects excessive tire wear and steering wheel angle.
10. Do not claim an alignment labor operation in addition to another labor operation that requires (and includes labor time for) an alignment. The labor time for the alignment is either included in the labor operation or will be added to the labor operation. A good example of this is a strut replacement.
The times for a camber check should be added, but an E2020 should not be claimed in addition to the strut change code.
11. Whenever possible in unusual or difficult-to-resolve cases, keep all defective parts and information for possible Engineering analysis. This includes defective tires, steering gears, strut mounts, and any other involved parts.
12. Whenever possible, record before and after measurements of caster, camber, toe, and suspension "Z" heights. This will speed up the resolution of these problems.