Steer onto lock characteristic

[murpia]

We have 2 very similar model cars, just one model year difference between them. They have the same size tyres. One steers normally at all speeds, the other when making parking manouvres has a 'steer onto lock' characteristic whereby the steering's self centreing reverses beyond a certain amount of applied steering lock.

Any idea what might cause this?

Thanks, Ian

 

[NormPeterson]

Really bad toe [-out] setting?


Norm

 

[GregLocock]

or castor/castor trail.

or friction.

or halfshaft design (if they are FWD or AWD)

or tire pressure

....

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Tmoose]

Driving forward, or reversing?

 

[evelrod]

I vote for alignment...toe, castor and/or, excessive wear.

When I was in college I helped pay my way by buying and selling old cars. Most of these late 40 and early 50 suspension setups were pretty hailed out. Many times while flat towing on a tow bar, at low speeds primarily, a small bump is all it would take to cause the front wheels to go to full lock. Of course, backing was out of the question without someone holding the wheel of the towed car. Tried tying the wheel but, usually in these old cars the steering was so loose, especially Fords, that it did not fix the problem.

Another anecdote from an aging mind? Wish I could remember what I did last week.

Rod