Torque steer after raising engine

hawilson2

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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May 22, 2004
Messages
125
Recently placed a manual jackplate on my boat. Running a Suzuki 1989 115. Once I raised my engine the torque steer increased significantly as did the gas mileage. Also, after raising the engine the regular torque/trim tab was ineffective. Bolted a torque tamer onto the skeg. It helped with the torque steer but droppped my top end speed by 4-5 mph. I assume it is the size of my skeg (wide) plus the torque tamer width that is causing drag. Any other suggestions about what I may be able to due to counteract the torque steer besides adding hyrdraulic steering ($$$$$). Would like to keep the positive mpg affect of raising the engine.
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
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Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Torque steer after raising engine

What you're seeing is not unusual at all. Which direction is the steering torque? Is it pulling to the right or left?
 

hawilson2

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 22, 2004
Messages
125
Re: Torque steer after raising engine

Sorry, a right pull. Any ideas on how I may combat it?
 

Dhadley

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Re: Torque steer after raising engine

And you put the torque tab on the right (starboard) side of the skeg, right?
 

hawilson2

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 22, 2004
Messages
125
Re: Torque steer after raising engine

Yes, on the roight side of the skeg. It helped the steering (torque steer was diminshed) but now I have lost 4-5 mph. I assume that is due the thickness of the skeg + the thickness of the torque tab.
 

hawilson2

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 22, 2004
Messages
125
Re: Torque steer after raising engine

Both the torque tab and torque tamer were placed on the right side os the skeg. As I mentioned earlier, I believe the benefits if the torque tab was greatky diminished by raising the engine. The torque tamer (bolts onto skeg) did help but that is when I lost 4-5 mph.
 

Dhadley

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Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Torque steer after raising engine

The torque tamer should increase speed. When you have torque in the wheel that means the gearcase is running crooked thru the water. Once you counter the torque you should pick up speed just because the gearcase is now running straight.

The torque tamer doesn't bolt on the skeg. If there are bolt heads or nuts on one side of the skeg, that's a problem.
 

steelespike

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Apr 26, 2002
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19,069
Re: Torque steer after raising engine

Isn't there a no feedback mechanical steering?
 

Dhadley

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Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Torque steer after raising engine

No-feedback, like hydraulic, tries to mask the torque but it's still there. The idea is to eliminate the torque in the steering rather than just hide it. Once the adjustable tab is out of the water we do it with skeg shape.
 
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