Random questions about torque steer Options

[jtmlb3k]

So one of my buddies just got a 2009 Mazdaspeed 3 and was complaining that it has too much torque steer. Being totally clueless like I am, I have no idea what he is talking about, and when he tried to explain it (by saying that it happens in front wheel drive cars where one wheel gets more power than the other), it made even less sense.

Sooooo what is torque steer? Why don't all front wheel drive cars have it? And if it's the product of unequal distribution of power to the wheels, why doesn't something like Mazda's traction control help? Would a Celica with a swapped in 3sgte have the same issues? Is there any way to modify a car to avoid it?

Sorry for asking such potentially stupid questions. Like I said, I am totally clueless haha

[stephen_lee]

generally the more scrub radius you have, the more torque steer. but scrub radius also helps the wheel return to center and "feel" of steering (wheel gets lighter when you slip..) you want no more than 2 inches of it. good luck actually measuring this, though lol