Does this sound like a rear differential prob??

[97splorer]

I have been trying to locate the source of the "shimmy" I get when turning at slow speeds. I thought I had it narrowed down to the front drive shaft bu t when I removed it, the shimmy was still there. I was told that the rear diffy fluid can be changed and add 4 oz of friction modifier, and that should fix it.

My question is, how can the shimmy or shudder be felt in the front with the front drive shaft off, if it IS the rear differential clutch packs? I just don't get how the rear diffy can cause a vibration in the steering or the front end. Any thoughts?

 

[97splorer]

anyone??

 

[TSTONE]

Could be transfer case torque shudder (worn clutches starting to bind) - that was my problem, I had a trans tech recommend doing a flush & fill followed by a 10 mile drive then re-flush & fill. It seemed to help tremendously. When's the last time you flushed the fluid?

 

[97splorer]

I changed it about a year ago. The t-case was making a crunchy noise when going really slow so I changed it. The noise stopped but not to long after the shudder came. How does the t-case make the wheels shudder when turning?

 

[mvoeller]

Didn't you say it still does the shuddering with the front driveshaft off? I would think that would eliminate the transfer case and the viscious clutch. My 97 does the same thing when going slow or at a dead stop and turning, but not all the time. I was thinking it might be the rack and pinion getting worn out. But I don't know how to check the rack.

 

[Doug]

Removing the front drive shaft doesn't rule out the t-case. It still spins there could be something in their acting up but I doubt it. Could be CV shafts, do you hear any noises when turning? I'd jack up the front end and check out the wheel bearings, ball joints etc. I could also be your steering rack or pump on it's way out. Things like this can be hard to track down sometimes, good luck.

 

[97splorer]

I have new cv shafts, all 4 ball joints, and tie rod ends. I figured that if the front driveshaft was off and the noise was still there, then it must be in the front end somewhere.

 

[TSTONE]

How does the t-case make the wheels shudder when turning?

With the shaft installed you maybe getting uneven power distribution due to worn clutchs, but with it removed I don't think you would feel it in the front(steering) but more under your feet (or as a driveline shimmy).