GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I'm guessing everyone else has this problem? When taking off from a stand still, the car will jerk either to he right or to the left. Its really bad if the road is rutted. Even roads that are not rutted very much, the steering wheel flies all over the place. I mean crap, this is annoying. I have to make sure I hold the friggin' wheel with two hands to keep going in my straight path.

I notice it more just before coming to a stop. I have the base 2.4 with 17" tires.

Same here. There have been several times that the steering has raised my adrenaline level.

Assume its the tire then ? I don't experience any torque steer when I let out the clutch with more then normal rpm unless the tires break free somewhat. If the front wheels are turned a bit to the right and the drive wheel breaks loose I have to hang on to the wheel but otherwise it doesn't happen too much since the traction control will kick in. Must be the wider track tires?

Quote, originally posted by 09Vibe » I don't experience any torque steer when I let out the clutch with more then normal rpm You could have hit their problem with this exact quote. They are driving automatics & you & I .. stick The releasing of the clutch compared to the spinning of the torque converter, from a dead stop as one accelerates, could very well have an effect on wheel pulling. I honestly never noticed any such thing BUT will pay attention the next time I get in and drive it

torque steer is a common FWD problem, moreso with manuals.

Due to the rutts and the narrow stance of the Vibe, this happens with the previous generation also. Normal.

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »Normal.I agree. Hold onto the wheel!

Tramlining or torquesteer?

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »I agree. Hold onto the wheel!Oh, I can't just hold the wheel. I have to have a DEATH GRIP on the thing!

Quote, originally posted by dayday »I notice it more just before coming to a stop. I have the base 2.4 with 17" tires. +1 on my GT. I'm to the point where I automatically hold on tighter as the stop gets closer.

I don't have to much of an issue...hmmm...perhaps its time for a simple trip to the tire shop to get them balance, rotated and all that? I have an 09 GT 2.4 however it is automatic haven't tried the manual option thing yet >.>

I've never experienced anything like that (sounds like torque steer) with either my Vibe or my brother's. We both have '09's with 2.4 - mine's auto, his manual. We've had P215/45R17's on his in the summers, and still not had an issue. Otherwise we both run the stock 16" steel wheels.Ours are both base cars though. Maybe something to do with a firmer setup in the GT causing an issue. Alignment could be off a little too. Maybe needs a little more toe-in.John

I am not sure if this is the same steering issue that you have, but this is what happened to me a few times:.... When I was coming to a stop at a light, my steering wheel would forcibly turn to the right. After a few moments it will be fine and can drive away like nothing happened. This happened to me about four times over the past three years. I am not sure if it is the front right brake (braking more then then the other wheels) or the electric power steering causing it.

Quote, originally posted by Ivibe » When I was coming to a stop at a light, my steering wheel would forcibly turn to the right. After a few moments it will be fine and can drive away like nothing happened. This happened to me about four times over the past three years. I am not sure if it is the front right brake (braking more then then the other wheels) or the electric power steering causing it. Deep ruts in the road cause that for me.

Yea i'd say its fairly normal. I get it on some of the crappy roads down here.

yeah my car does both. It torque steers a lot of when quickly accelerating but also when coming to a stop the steering wheel often flicks to one side. Yup its annoying but guess I'll consider it one the cars quirks. To me the force isn't that strong that it cant easily be overcome by holding on with one hand but it'll definitely happen if I loosen my grip enough. that would be cool if the effect could be fixed or lessened by changing the alignment. I drove my dads 2009 chevy cobalt and it doesn't have the same issue.

Try unplugging the power steering unit and go for a drive!

Quote, originally posted by vibedrivermatt »yeah my car does both. It torque steers a lot of when quickly accelerating but also when coming to a stop the steering wheel often flicks to one side. Yup its annoying but guess I'll consider it one the cars quirks. To me the force isn't that strong that it cant easily be overcome by holding on with one hand but it'll definitely happen if I loosen my grip enough. Now I get torque steel at every shift point .. lol. And if im just cruisin and I pound it I have to grab that s***.

FWD without a LSD is going to def have torque steer, try checking your tire pressure and increasing the psi alittle