ted tcb Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 More of an editorial than an actual review. Nice to see someone of David E. Davis Jr.'s stature show admiration for the big DTS. http://magazine.windingroad.com/windingroad/200802/?folio=1 The index is on page 3, then follow to "American Driver" on page 9. 1989 FWD Fleetwood, Silver 1995 STS Crimson Pearl on Black leather 1997 STS Diamond White 1999 STS Crimson Pearl 2001 STS Silver 2003 STS, Crimson Pearl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Cool article, he genuinely liked the car with the exception of course of the torque steer. That said, what can be done to eliminate torque steer, why does it happen, does anyone know? Is the left front a drive wheel?, would a posi-differential fix this? What about, a steering nudge of some sort that bumped the steering to the right on heavy acceleration? (thats scary by the way, if it were to malfunction, if it bumped when it was not suppose to bump, ). I would think that if GM has not fixed it, IT, is not fixable. As usual Ted, you find compelling stuff... thanks Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDK Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Ted, Thanks for a link to a lot of interesting articles. As far as "torque steer", I just don't get it? I believe had that kind of back and forth fun in the turbo PT Cruiser convertible (rental) around Vegas, but never in any FWD Caddy. I know I have spun tires and read active traction many a time but never has there been any reason to saw the steering wheel back and forth to maintain control. I've let'er rip on top of icy slush at 40-60 mph where it braked and throttled itself back nicely numerous times. I've also downshifted at 85 and run it flat out at 111 in the rain passing cars without a nudge. So again I ask, what's the big deal with torque steer? Maybe I'm just too dumb to notice it or perhaps I anticipate what's next, (like ducking a swing in a barfight)? Is the wonderment over toruque steer - like not really expecting the rear end to break out under throttle and curve with RWD cars? Duh. Of course there is a horsepower limit (and hence the Caddy's fine traction control algorithim), around 250-300hp along with steering and all, (given the traction available in our physical universe). This FWD traction technology overlay is opposed to the inherently simpler push-in-back and point-in-front RWD approach, (how hard is that anyway). Sure, FWD came about during the 80's and 90's econo-craze (Caddy being involved made the most of it), but so what - the market demanded it at the time? The "Winding Road" author seemd to state that FWD (the cause of torque steer) was a design deficiency or some other unintended consequence. NOT! Certainly I would like a new STS/CTS-V to play with. But realistically, I would want anyone else in my family to drive the FWD Caddy for safety and stability. OK then, jumbo Margarita is almost metabolized ....rant over.... All IMHO Add power to leave problems behind. Most braking is just - poor planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyG Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Thanks for the link! But as far as I can tell, this guy is a real jerk and far from a car expert. Injector cleaning at 50,000 miles, what a joke. I think he was more concerned about the dead animals on the road than writing a serious review of a Cadillac. Just fillin' space if you ask me. As far as torque steer goes, I'm with TDK...what torque steer? And yes, I think there is a cure for it after all. It's called drive-by-wire, coming to a car near you very soon. This way you can have that little old lady mash that darn skinny pedal as hard as she wants.......and the computer will tell the engine what to do. Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted tcb Posted January 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Like I said, its a light article, not a review. David E Davis Jr. is an esteemed journalist. He began with Car & Driver in 1962, and founded Automobile magazine. Before that, he was an ad writer for Corvette and a race car driver. Time Magazine refers to him as the dean of automotive journalists. Regarding his animal comments, he must've mellowed in his old age. I remember reading years ago how a racoon had gotten locked in his garage ... said raccon decided to eat the interior of Davis' prized Ferrari 308GTS. Davis got a lot of flack from tree huggers when he stated his intention to kill little Rocky Racoon and proudly wear him as a coon skin hat. Having said that, I too smiled at the fuel injector cleaning comment. 1989 FWD Fleetwood, Silver 1995 STS Crimson Pearl on Black leather 1997 STS Diamond White 1999 STS Crimson Pearl 2001 STS Silver 2003 STS, Crimson Pearl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Many owners are influenced by sale pitches and fall for them because they think they are 'taking care of their car in the best way possible" and they are looking for 100% performance. Its just that their wallet is lighter and they feel better. So many procedures are revenue generators including power steering flushes, tranny flushes, injector cleaning, decarbonization, etc I thought his dead animal subject was over the top also, but he did appear to see a lot of dead animals, i mean he said he saw 50 deer dead, that would have gotten my attention also Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Its just that their wallet is lighter and they feel better. So many procedures are revenue generators including power steering flushes, tranny flushes, injector cleaning, decarbonization, etc I mean he said he saw 50 deer dead, that would have gotten my attention also Well... if the wallet is lighter, there is less weight in the car... thus more performance. I bet Ranger is cheering the dead deer. Thats some he won't have to dodge or help them commit suicide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmac-etc Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Like I said, its a light article, not a review. David E Davis Jr. is an esteemed journalist. He began with Car & Driver in 1962, and founded Automobile magazine. Before that, he was an ad writer for Corvette and a race car driver. Time Magazine refers to him as the dean of automotive journalists. Regarding his animal comments, he must've mellowed in his old age. I remember reading years ago how a racoon had gotten locked in his garage ... said raccon decided to eat the interior of Davis' prized Ferrari 308GTS. Davis got a lot of flack from tree huggers when he stated his intention to kill little Rocky Racoon and proudly wear him as a coon skin hat. Having said that, I too smiled at the fuel injector cleaning comment. Correct. I have been reading David E's editorials, comments and publications for most of my life. I remember that Ferrari interior episode as well. He is probably in his 80's. A veteran automotive journalist. I don't recall reading about him lifting a wrench, but he has driven them all. He is not a jerk, and he is an automotive expert. Its just that he is more interested in driving great cars than taking them apart. An overall complimentary article about Cadillac by one of the most esteemed journalists in the industry, in a leading edge automotive publication. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_E._Davis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddyetclover Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Cool article, he genuinely liked the car with the exception of course of the torque steer. That said, what can be done to eliminate torque steer, why does it happen, does anyone know? Is the left front a drive wheel?, would a posi-differential fix this? What about, a steering nudge of some sort that bumped the steering to the right on heavy acceleration? (thats scary by the way, if it were to malfunction, if it bumped when it was not suppose to bump, ). I would think that if GM has not fixed it, IT, is not fixable. As usual Ted, you find compelling stuff... thanks Hello All, I am new to this forum/website. I have 2 Cadillacs, a 97 Eldorado ETC in Polo Green with Tan Leather and a 2000 DeVille DHS with Tan leather as well. Also I am a Master Automobile Tech with 23 yrs. experience 15 of them being with General Motors. That said, the typical cause for torque steer in 2WD-FWD cars is because of the unequal length of the CV shafts in the driveline. This is more noticeable the longer one shaft is to the other. THe closer they are in length (equal) the less torque steer there is. This is just a normal by-product of a FWD vehicle. The more power the vehicle has the more noticeable torque steer is. Hope this is helpful and easy to understand. Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddyetclover Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Cool article, he genuinely liked the car with the exception of course of the torque steer. That said, what can be done to eliminate torque steer, why does it happen, does anyone know? Is the left front a drive wheel?, would a posi-differential fix this? What about, a steering nudge of some sort that bumped the steering to the right on heavy acceleration? (thats scary by the way, if it were to malfunction, if it bumped when it was not suppose to bump, ). I would think that if GM has not fixed it, IT, is not fixable. As usual Ted, you find compelling stuff... thanks Hello All, I am new to this forum/website. I have 2 Cadillacs, a 97 Eldorado ETC in Polo Green with Tan Leather and a 2000 DeVille DHS with Tan leather as well. Also I am a Master Automobile Tech with 23 yrs. experience 15 of them being with General Motors. That said, the typical cause for torque steer in 2WD-FWD cars is because of the unequal length of the CV shafts in the driveline. This is more noticeable the longer one shaft is to the other. THe closer they are in length (equal) the less torque steer there is. This is just a normal by-product of a FWD vehicle. The more power the vehicle has the more noticeable torque steer is. Hope this is helpful and easy to understand. Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Hall Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Cool article, he genuinely liked the car with the exception of course of the torque steer. That said, what can be done to eliminate torque steer, why does it happen, does anyone know? Is the left front a drive wheel?, would a posi-differential fix this? What about, a steering nudge of some sort that bumped the steering to the right on heavy acceleration? (thats scary by the way, if it were to malfunction, if it bumped when it was not suppose to bump, ). I would think that if GM has not fixed it, IT, is not fixable. As usual Ted, you find compelling stuff... thanks Hello All, I am new to this forum/website. I have 2 Cadillacs, a 97 Eldorado ETC in Polo Green with Tan Leather and a 2000 DeVille DHS with Tan leather as well. Also I am a Master Automobile Tech with 23 yrs. experience 15 of them being with General Motors. That said, the typical cause for torque steer in 2WD-FWD cars is because of the unequal length of the CV shafts in the driveline. This is more noticeable the longer one shaft is to the other. THe closer they are in length (equal) the less torque steer there is. This is just a normal by-product of a FWD vehicle. The more power the vehicle has the more noticeable torque steer is. Hope this is helpful and easy to understand. Phil. Why can't they make one CV shaft stronger than the other to compensate for the unequal length? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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