pulls to left under power

I have a 2002 Civic. I bought this car used a couple months ago. It has
27500 miles on it and has an automatic xmission.

This car will pull to the left when I accellerate. It is not what I
consider a safety problem, but I am curious if it is normal for this model.
The local friendly Honda service shop advised it was normal, but couldn't
explain the physics that will cause this to happen. It seems to me if the
xmission is providing the same torque to both front wheels, there should be
not tendency to pull left or right under accellerating conditions.

I have two other Hondas (2000 CRV and a '89 Civic) and neither of these has
this particular trait.

Is this a normal trait for this model, or should I be pressing the dealer a
bit harder?

Thanks for any help!

 

Check the bushings in the lower a frames. I am not familiar with the civic
but the GM cavalier bushings have a tendency to slide out letting the A
frame rock front to back which changes alignment. I found it by having
someone rock tire back and forth on the ground and feel for movement in the
pivot points...

 

Some amount of torque steer is not uncommon for front wheel drive cars.
Check
http://www.mscsoftware.com/support/library/conf/adams/euro/2002/papers/005_EUC_008_FORD.pdf
for details.

 

Thanks, Randolf! I am a retired electrical engineer and believe it or not,
the explanation makes since.

Allen-A.K.A. Goat Roper