Slight right pull under acceleration

[MiamiBlue]

I have a RHD (if it matters) and notice a slight pull to the right with medium to high acceleration. It's quite minor and I didn't realise at first, but subconsciously I think I've been adding a touch of left wheel steer to counteract with some heavy right foot. When coming off the accelerator it stops and goes back straight to how it was.

Is this a characteristic? (Little torque steer) Or do I need to investigate further? It's not causing any issues as it's so minor, just don't want to have an underlying problem.

 

[MiamiBlue]

The dealer with my car has been great, they have tried alignment, tried swapping rear shocks, swapped the wheels with another car (same goodyear tyres), checked all the bushes and reported back to lotus, everything is as it should be so lotus suggest changing rear tyre brand but not sure which to try. There was a guy on one of the forums that said tyres sorted it for him so need to find him and see what he fitted. In the mean while I might have to do a track day to burn some rubber before new ones.

Keep us updated.
The tyres thing seems nonsense. If you've had the wheels and tyres from another car (that doesn't pull) on to yours with the same result. Then clearly it's the car that's different and not the tyres. I don't understand their logic here. Also suggesting you change away from LTS tyres (specifically designed for the car) to another brand seems ridiculous. At best you're possibly hiding the symptoms, not solving the issue.

After trying the obvious myself I'm trying to live with it. But when you know it's there, and shouldn't be, it's annoying!

 

[MiamiBlue]

For all those with issues, note there are different alignment specs per tire, and from factory, though my suspension was in tolerance it wasn't spot on. Tiny changes on this car makes a large difference in handling. Have your alignments checked.

Alignment was the first thing I did (after checking tyre pressures). I went to what should be a decent alignment place. Maybe I need to try somewhere else.

Thing is it tracks perfectly straight until you put your foot down.
I wonder if it's possible for the LSD to have an issue where it's giving more power to one wheel even when they both have grip?

 

[Ft.S]

I wonder if it's possible for the LSD to have an issue where it's giving more power to one wheel even when they both have grip?

I highly doubt that. It is a Torsen diff, mechanical, and unless there is significant loss of traction on one wheel, there won't be any lockup on the diff, and for that to happen, there needs to be enough lateral force to unload the inner wheel. On a straight line, I cannot think of a way the Torsen diff would engage at all.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Have you checked your toe angle in the rear?

 

[PS1_Emira]

Interesting thread. Agree with others that car is alignment sensitive.

I experienced this same thing.
Mine veered left initially under harder acceleration, or when accelerating on the motorway(60-70) and then veered back to the right when I took my foot off the accelerator. It was unnerving.

Mine was caused by wheel alignment 'like a nascar' were the words used.

I went to PJS Lotus, near Burton on Trent. Great Lotus specialist and fully recommend them.

Explained what the issues were and why the car was behaving the way it was. Change was night and day and drives straight as an arrow.

Possibly worth another try doing alignment with another specialist, if you feel it's not quite right and pulling to one side, even if slight.