I'm a couple of weeks into STi ownership and am wondering what's up with my steering - I'm getting loads on steering pull on some surfaces, almost changing lanes! It's not torque-steer as it happens when I'm just tooling along, and from what I can see there's no uneven tyre wear. If it's just tramlining then that's fine, but I never had this in my WRX and the tyres aren't that much wider, so I don't know whether I need my steering/alignment checked or not?

Also, anyone actually use their intercooler spray & does it really make a difference?

 

Please stop calling it an "STi8", what model year and market is it?

The one thing to bear in mind is that your WRX had an open front differential. Your STi (assuming it is standard) has a Suretrack limited slip front diff. These can give a level of feedback that feels a bit like torque-steer on first acquaintance.

If it really is tramlining, are the tyres well worn? If not, have you checked the tyre pressures? Beyond that, wouldn't do any harm to get the alignment checked.

 

i had this on my2003 jdm sti, had a laser alignment which helped but just found they are are a little prone to this, 2 handed driving helps lol

 

The stock Bridgestones have a very stiff sidewall and will cause tramlining.

My MY03 STi does this too and my Civic Type-R did it before. Both of these had Bridgestone RE040's on.

Change to a tyre with a softer side wall and the effects will greatly reduce but you will lose some of the responsiveness on turn in.

 

I think this is quite common on UK STis. Conventional wisdom was, that 18" wheels were the cure (with which, inevitably, goes 'new rubber') and I cured my '02 STi with 18"/Eagle F1 GSD3s. But it may well be, as has been suggested, that new (different) rubber alone will do the trick.

Phil

 

Once the bridgestones have worn abit they do start to tramline, had a laser check on my 03sti and the alighnment was fine.
I would wait till the tyres are worn and try another model/make.

Dipster

 

Have your front subframe bolts checked, I did last week and they found them all loose !

 

Cheers for all your comments.

Greasemonkey - it's my car so I'll call it what I want. STi8, or even Barbara, if I feel like it.

 

lol .... thats told him

 

i like barbra!!!11

 

Call it Percy if you want, but if you're going to ask us for technical advice, it might help if you tell us accurately what you've got. Calling it an "STi8" means **** all, look at Jason's post if you want the right idea.

 

Its the tyres, as stated a stiff sidewall will leave less movement so you get the tramlining... in some cases its acutally better as this gives you more grip, in others it feels better on the steering...... choices, choices, choices....

Tony

PS im still living with my tramlining RE070's because they are bloody good

 

Ditch the Bridgestones & then if you can get to Cheltenham take it to Powerstation for a 4 wheel allignment & bump steer mod, it will come back a different car. Not only will it go straight when its meant to but understeer will be a thing of the past.

 

Thanks again for your advice - appreciate it.

And greasemonkey - thanks for the education. Even if you are a bit of a grouch!

 

The bump steer mod is not needed on the MY03 STi .... have to agree with the alignment though .... after Powerstation had finished with mine (had the rear ARB and droplinks done aswell) it really did feel like a new car.