Corsica L4-121 2.0L (1988)
Technical Service Bulletin # 92503B
Date: 911101
Steering - Lead/Pull, Memory Steer/Unusual Tire Wear
Number:
92-50-3B
Section:
3B
Date:
NOV. 1991
Corporate Bulletin No.: 073002R
ASE No.: A4
Subject:
LEAD/PULL, TORQUE/MEMORY STEER, STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER
Model and Year:
1982-92 CAVALIER, CORSICA AND BERETTA
THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND SUPERSEDES DEALER SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 90-304-3B, DATED AUGUST 1990. THE 1992 MODEL
YEAR HAS BEEN ADDED AS WELL AS CORRECTED INFORMATION LISTED IN STEPS 6 AND 7. ALL COPIES OF 90-304-3B SHOULD BE
DISCARDED.
The following diagnostic and repair information has been developed and compiled to assist dealer service personnel in their efforts to diagnose and
correct vehicles exhibiting lead/pull, torque steer, memory steer, steering wheel off-center, and/or unusual tire wear conditions. A flow chart which will
be helpful in understanding the logic of the diagnostic and repair procedures is included.
DEFINITIONS
Lead:
On a smooth, flat road with the transaxle in neutral, the vehicle does not require a noticeable torque input to the steering wheel to maintain a
straight path. However, with hands removed from the steering wheel, the vehicle drifts to the left or right.
Pull:
On a smooth, flat road with the transaxle in neutral, the vehicle requires a noticeable torque input to the steering wheel to maintain a straight
path. A pull requires noticeable input to correct.
Note:
"Leads" and "pulls" are different terms for the same condition. Lead refers to the path deviation (usually a lane change in .2 miles or less); pull
refers to the torque at the steering wheel required to maintain a straight path (more than .3 N-m or 2.7 lbs.in.).
Torque Steer:
On a smooth, flat road the vehicle has a left or right steering force that is eliminated when the transaxle is placed in neutral. The
magnitude of the steering force is usually (but not always) dependent on the amount of applied engine torque. Torque steer at constant
highway speed is frequently mistaken for leads/pulls.
Memory Steer:
On a smooth, flat road the vehicle exhibits a slight lead/pull condition when the vehicle is returned to a neutral or straight ahead
position after completion of a turning maneuver. This condition is always noted as being in the same direction as the last turning
maneuver (after a right turn, the vehicle leads or pulls to the right; after a left turn, the vehicle leads or pulls to the left), and may
vary in degree right to left. This condition is most noticeable with the driver's hands off the steering wheel.
Steering Wheel Angle:
The "levelness" of the steering wheel when following a straight path. Steering wheel should appear to be level with the
instrument panel when going straight ahead, and within +/- 5 degrees when measured on an alignment machine.
Diagnostic Procedures
