Front Axle? ? Binding and popping real bad when I turn.

[edman1000]

GOt a '98 EB 4 door 4.0L - today when i pulled out of a parking space it felt like it didnt want to move. I backed up and straightened out the wheels and it felt better but now when I turn sharp it does the same thing.

Sounds like it's coming from the Front axle. What do you guys think? cv shafts???

 

[MonsterTruck460]

I would say CV shafts. How many miles do they have on them? You can check the brakes and wheel bearings while it's apart.

 

[SoNic67]

Front differential. When you turn sharply, the wheels are spinning with different speeds.
If it was the CV, it would pop more under load (accelerating in a corner) then in a parking lot.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Make sure you arent in 4wd

 

[edman1000]

It's got 122k and everything is falling apart.....

I flipped the selector switch on the dash for auto/4hi/4lo but nothing happend. no light on the dash or anything.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

You are probably stuck in 4hi from your description.

 

[edman1000]

How do I "unstuck" it?

 

[ssorone]

re

A "bfh"

 

[IZwack]

4wd is typically engaged via an electromagnetic clutch. So first thing I'd do is to disconnect the connector that the shift motor is connected to (which is the same connector that the electromagnetic clutch is connected to). This will throw a 4HI/4LO blinkng light on the dash (and maybe a non-working speedometer) but since were just diagnosing the problem, then that stuff doesnt matter. Anyways, go around the neighborhood and see if the sound still exists. If it goes away, then the problem is electrical. If it doesnt, then the problem is mechanical and is "downstream" (in terms of power transmission) of the electromagnetic clutch. A "BFH" probably wont work int this situation, especially not on the shift motor since the shift motor only controls HI/LO range, not 4wd.

So if the problem still persists with the connector unplugged, then plug it back in and remove the front driveshaft. Go for that same drive. If the sound doesnt goes away, then its downstream of the driveshaft and is something related to the front axle. If it goes away, then the problem is probably internal of the transfer-case.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

4wd is typically engaged via an electromagnetic clutch. So first thing I'd do is to disconnect the connector that the shift motor is connected to (which is the same connector that the electromagnetic clutch is connected to). This will throw a 4HI/4LO blinkng light on the dash (and maybe a non-working speedometer) but since were just diagnosing the problem, then that stuff doesnt matter. Anyways, go around the neighborhood and see if the sound still exists. If it goes away, then the problem is electrical. If it doesnt, then the problem is mechanical and is "downstream" (in terms of power transmission) of the electromagnetic clutch. A "BFH" probably wont work int this situation, especially not on the shift motor since the shift motor only controls HI/LO range, not 4wd.

So if the problem still persists with the connector unplugged, then plug it back in and remove the front driveshaft. Go for that same drive. If the sound doesnt goes away, then its downstream of the driveshaft and is something related to the front axle. If it goes away, then the problem is probably internal of the transfer-case.

Good advise there +1! Unplug & see what happens.

BTW - by chance is the ABS light on when this is happening? If yes, then likely the rear speed sensor is bad and system is locking up like its supposed to when the truck thinks you are loosing traction.

As for the switch doing nothing, check your fuse box first to see if something shorted.

 

[edman1000]

Thanks guys. I'll mess with it here in a few days and post results. I'm think it's the CV shafts but we'll see.