Torque steer MY09 93ss - solutions?

SP 7755 · #1 07-11-09, 03:37 AM

Hi,

Been afraid to upgrade ECU as there's enough torque steer on MY09 93ss to make accelerating in the city a little scary, especially in traffic...

Would steering brace be helpful, if one were available?

Or iis it just one of those things to live with?

Thanks

Saabstory34 · #2 07-11-09, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP 7755

Hi,

Been afraid to upgrade ECU as there's enough torque steer on MY09 93ss to make accelerating in the city a little scary, especially in traffic...

Would steering brace be helpful, if one were available?

Or iis it just one of those things to live with?

Thanks

Torque steer puts the fun back in driving!

To answer your question though im not quite sure, as I dont think the torque steer in my unmodded SS was bad at all granted I do have a different model year...Now that I have the tune its a little more noticeable, but not anything that cant be controlled. But I definately notice it when I put my summer tires on! If I see anything that might help for sure ill post it.

Maybe search for the strut tower brace, and ask the people who have added it if that helps at all...

cavedudejeff · #3 07-11-09, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP 7755

Hi,

Been afraid to upgrade ECU as there's enough torque steer on MY09 93ss to make accelerating in the city a little scary, especially in traffic...

Would steering brace be helpful, if one were available?

Or iis it just one of those things to live with?

Thanks

Hah! If you think torque steer is bad on the current gen 9-3's... Take a Viggen out for a spin.

I *heart* Torque Steer!

If you really want it reduced you should look into a LSD. As far as a strut brace is concerned you're going to have lots of trouble finding one. The only one I've ever heard of was Nick's custom fab'ed ones, but those only work with the 2.0 engines unless he's come up with a new one for the V6's... Haven't checked on that in a while.

You sure youre not just dealing with understeer? Because as far as torque steer is concerned saab pretty much engineered it out of the 9-3 by limiting boost in 1st and 2nd gears.

lscrx · #4 07-11-09, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavedudejeff

...You sure youre not just dealing with understeer? Because as far as torque steer is concerned saab pretty much engineered it out of the 9-3 by limiting boost in 1st and 2nd gears.

That's what I was thinking also, i think somebody needs to explain what they mean by "torque steer" to make sure we're all on the same page.

Donkeyboy · #5 07-11-09, 12:53 PM

tourque steer is something that when you nail the gas the car yanks in one direction due to the tourque of the car... the main reason if happens in our car is because one axle is much longer than the other... i was actually under my car last night changing out some fluids and i was looking at our axle set up and was like ... daaaamn... axles are close to the same length but the intermediate shaft sends the power to the passenger side... this is why it pulls right ... better just hold on tight! and learn to love it

lscrx · #6 07-11-09, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donkeyboy

tourque steer is something that when you nail the gas the car yanks in one direction due to the tourque of the car... the main reason if happens in our car is because one axle is much longer than the other... i was actually under my car last night changing out some fluids and i was looking at our axle set up and was like ... daaaamn... axles are close to the same length but the intermediate shaft sends the power to the passenger side... this is why it pulls right ... better just hold on tight! and learn to love it

What I meant was for the OP to define what they consider to be torque steer.

lscrx · #7 07-11-09, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donkeyboy

... i was actually under my car last night changing out some fluids and i was looking at our axle set up and was like ... daaaamn... axles are close to the same length but the intermediate shaft sends the power to the passenger side... this is why it pulls right ... better just hold on tight! and learn to love it

How 'bout this axle?

It's a VW Golf with a Cadillac Northstar V8 swap... talk about torque steer!!!

Kandiru · #8 07-11-09, 05:03 PM

Nice to see they reintroduced torque steer in SAABS starting MY 2009

After all a split from GM calls for a return to the roots, and what better than this winter ally of the grim reaper. Now RWD drivers will not
feel alone anymore on ice and snow

Now seriously, how do they expect to improve the marque's image when xxxx like this still happens?

brace up · #9 07-11-09, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavedudejeff

Hah! If you think torque steer is bad on the current gen 9-3's... Take a Viggen out for a spin.

I *heart* Torque Steer!

If you really want it reduced you should look into a LSD. As far as a strut brace is concerned you're going to have lots of trouble finding one. The only one I've ever heard of was Nick's custom fab'ed ones, but those only work with the 2.0 engines unless he's come up with a new one for the V6's... Haven't checked on that in a while.

You sure youre not just dealing with understeer? Because as far as torque steer is concerned saab pretty much engineered it out of the 9-3 by limiting boost in 1st and 2nd gears.

he has a 2.0T..look at his avatar.

i have an 08 2.0T and the torque steer is very minimal. its never been a problem for me. may i suggest not flooring it in the city if youre concerned about running into another car??

kimvette · #10 07-11-09, 05:23 PM

I'd rather have the power available on demand and deal with torque steer, than to need the power and not have it I'm used to driving cars with "too much" power, and I don't like that power is so limited in first and second gear.

As far as inclement weather is concerned, that's what ESP is for, or better yet, if you turn off ESP then you can just keep your ego in check and accelerate gently in snow and rain. I have an early ZR1 before ASR (roughly equivalent to ESP) was introduced in the model, and it drives perfectly fine in snow. In fact I have driven in white-out and blizzard conditions, and all I need to do is accelerate sanely and the car drives GREAT in the snow - no traction control at all. It drives great when there is less than 4" of snow on the road, even with 12.4"(315mm) wide tires.

I haven't driven my Saab in the snow yet but I'm sure it will be just fine. I'll probably end up turning off ESP because I prefer to have total control over the vehicle, and not have the car re-think what I'm trying to do. In fact in my ZR-1 I often disconnect the EBC (electronic braking controller, or ABS computer) in snowy conditions because it engages prematurely, greatly increasing stopping distances. IMHO ESP and the like are in place to help incompetent drivers.

Torque steer is just a consequence of front wheel drive. If you want a high performance car with front wheel drive, there are compromises. You can either deal with what Saab does and tolerate reduced power output in the first couple of gears plus the computer braking slipping wheels, or you can deal with learning how to compensate for torque steer, or in poor weather, driving a bit more conservatively. The last choice is the best and safest choice. After all, I'd rather that others with high performance cars not give all sportscar/sports sedan drivers not give all of us a bad name by driving faster than conditions allow, like SUV drivers do when they think that simply having AWD will allow them to brake and turn as well as they can accelerate.

Just how hard are you accelerating in traffic anyhow?

$.02 and then some

lscrx · #11 07-11-09, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimvette

...I have an early ZR1 before ASR (roughly equivalent to ESP).....I'll probably end up turning off ESP because I prefer to have total control over the vehicle, and not have the car re-think what I'm trying to do....

No offense... but if you have an early ZR1 it's what, an '89 or '90? ESP and ABS has gotten much better since then. Turning off the ESP in your Saab, unless on a race-track, is a very bad idea... especially in inclement weather. The ESP can brake each wheel independently when cornering to maintain a neutral cornering attitude... you can not do the same thing using the brake pedal. I have driven cars from the early nineties that had old-school ABS... they do tend to engage prematurely and can increase stopping distances in the snow or on bumpy terrain. Modern ABS is much improved, and it is proven that every car stops faster with ABS than without.

9-3gotboostAERO · #12 07-11-09, 07:32 PM

hit the gym mary

9-3gotboostAERO · #13 07-11-09, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lscrx

No offense... but if you have an early ZR1 it's what, an '89 or '90? ESP and ABS has gotten much better since then. Turning off the ESP in your Saab, unless on a race-track, is a very bad idea... especially in inclement weather. The ESP can brake each wheel independently when cornering to maintain a neutral cornering attitude... you can not do the same thing using the brake pedal. I have driven cars from the early nineties that had old-school ABS... they do tend to engage prematurely and can increase stopping distances in the snow or on bumpy terrain. Modern ABS is much improved, and it is proven that every car stops faster with ABS than without.

try going up a steep hill on ice with no momentum b.c. you stopped at a red light with the esp on.
Your not gonna make it. now do it with the esp off, using your own foot to limit wheelspin enough so u don't lose control.... but able to give it enough power to get up that hill.

your esp should save your *** in the rain when you hit a patch of leaves going around a turn... if your driving spiritedly around a turn esp should be off to get around the corner quicker... esp slows you down to much because it limits the small amount of wheelspin you "might" get.

If you don't know how to drive, don't drive fast around a turn...
problem solved.
Its time to make better drivers, there's just to much crap in cars these days

sorry for the rant any of my opinions were not directed to any single individual

aerojon · #14 07-11-09, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimvette

Just how hard are you accelerating in traffic anyhow?

i'm wondering that aswell..

also what engine is being referred to..

mike saunders · #15 07-11-09, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9-3gotboostAERO

hit the gym mary

ROFL!!!!

Anyone complaining about torque steer needs to drive a Viggen, or ANY modded NG900/OG9-3 putting out more than double the torque of a 9-3SS. That's when you keep a clean change of undies in the glove box.

Compared to most FWD cars at the same power levels, there's barely any torque steer in the 9-3SS. If you're coming to Saab from a RWD or AWD platform, then it might be a new experience. Try driving an Acura TSX

mike saunders · #16 07-11-09, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP 7755

Hi,

Been afraid to upgrade ECU as there's enough torque steer on MY09 93ss to make accelerating in the city a little scary, especially in traffic...

Would steering brace be helpful, if one were available?

Or iis it just one of those things to live with?

Thanks

You might be experiencing tire tread instability, which can feel just like torque steer. This was actually common with the craptacular Pirelli P6 tires that were OEM rubber on 03+ 9-3s

Krieg · #17 07-11-09, 09:35 PM

There's a great solution for MY09 torque steer.

It's called XWD. Especially the one with the eLSD option.

Look into it.

I've got an '07, and the torque steer is there on uneven pavement under full power. Oh well, that's the nature of FWD cars, especially ones with a lot of power.

SP 7755 · #18 07-11-09, 10:54 PM

To me, torque steer is when accelerating, the car veers to one side; which the car does invariably when pushed hard in 1st and 2nd gears say beyond 4000rpm..

I suspect unequal torque distribution is the cause but wondered if there were any other suggestions.

Tyres are intercontinentals which I dunno, look fine.

Also have torque steer on exhaust modified 88 Honda Prelude, when pushing hard - but as the car has much less torque, veering only happens rarely and if so, quite slowly.