Hey all. New to the boards but not new to the cars However, trying to track down a crazy torque steer problem is proving difficult.

There are two issues I have right now. I'm putting down good power with the cam and it has amplified the torque steer problem I have. Now, I wouldn't call it your normal torque steer.

First issue is I have what feels like 'dead play' in the wheel. I can move it side to side about 1/4" in each direction before it becomes 'solid' and the car turns. I have held the u-joint that connects the shaft to the rack and the play occurs BEFORE that point or at least I'm fairly certain of this.

Now, match this with the car'* crazy idea to just take off in different directions under WOT and it is hard to control it. The car will start to veer in one direction and due to the play in the wheel, I can't correct until it has already decided where it'* going. Once I correct, it starts to go in the other direction and the same problem exists, I have to move the wheel in the other direction before I get control of it again.

I was doing some searches and read that bad strut mounts could be a cause of the 'walking' that the car does under accel, so I am probably going to replace those... however looking in my repair book all the parts from the rack to the wheel are quite costly to replace.. but might have to shell out the money to do it as the 'dead zone' is driving me nuts.

I really notice how bad it is when I get in my Fiance'* GT w/L67 putting down 350+ ft lbs of torque and you can go WOT with one finger on the wheel, straight as an arrow.

Anyway, any thoughts would be great! Seems there are many steering issues with these cars judging by the searches I did :(

take care and thanks!

Is it possibly loose where the steering wheel mounts to the shaft? Or stripped??

Well i decided to be nosy and took appart the cover to the steering column.. i found a clear boot that is over a joint leading down to the rack. In moving the wheel I find tons of play in this part.. I took out my handy dandy repair book and find it to be the Intermediate Shaft.

How about that? :P It does have minor clunking while turning but more than anything it is VERY sloppy, when I turned the wheel to get some pressure on it, the wheel was very solid, once I let it relax, it'* just all kinds of sloppy hehehe.

I think I found my culprit, now, anyone know if this can be replaced without too much hassle? I can hold my own when coming to repairs.. I installed the slp headers in the parkinglot here where I live :P Have a few cam/motor installs under my belt too.. so if there are any directions around here anywhere, I'd love to see them!

Thanks!

Its easy to replace the shaft, once the steering column comes out which is tricky.
I assume you have a floor shifter and not a column shifter?
A few things to consider,
The air bag sir system.
The magnasteer feedback coil.

What you really need to do this is a shop manual.

Maybe have someone with a Tech 2 adjust the firmness of the magnasteer.

I was thinking about having the firmness increased however I was doing these tests with the car OFF, the slop is that bad. My estimation is you all experience a clunk/pop when it starts to go out on you, so you replace it, I bought this car used and I am guessing the owner never had it fixed and when let go this long it just creates all kinds of slop in the joint leading to the problem I now face.

I was hoping there were some simple online directions but looks like I need a repair manual to see how to prevent airbag deployment and pull the column.

Yes, it'* a 2000 SSEi so it is the console shifter. I was told you can drop the subframe to accomplish the same thing as removing the column it'self. Anyone done it that way?

I also read about a lube kit for it, I'm thinking mine is too far gone for that however in that boot area there isn't a single drop of oil on this joint... no lube, nothing. I bought the car from auction on a GM REPO, so I'm sure the previous owner didn't care at all... I have been fixing the car up ever since.. just little things like motor mounts, interior trim, etc.

THanks for the thoughts, I hope some more come along before I order up the IS.

2 things you can do to control the torque steer. Set your magnaster to more firm, and get an LSD. Torque steer is a problem with front wheel cars that make a ton of power even if everything in the steering is correct.

Hey Rogue. We met at the last IDD, I have the Midnight Blue SSEi.

The Fiance' has an LSD and yes I noticed it is much more manageable in that respect. However, there is a mechanical problem somewhere here as this isn't normal torque steer... I am quite sure it'* the Intermediate Shaft now.. and I'll be finding out how fun it is to replace shortly I'm sure

Hope to see ya at the next IDD, bring your guns, I got some more mods... thinkin bout an INTENSE PCM before then too.. and some 3.0 love

Locked and Loaded Will you be at pontiac nationals in August? It'* also at Norwalk.

Yup Gunnin' for 13.5 Cya there!