Truck jerking when turning slowly?

[Kali2024]

HI guys! So my 2004 Mountaineer V8 has been making a "clunk" noise when turning into parking spaces along with jerking when turning slowly (like in/out of a parking spot or any slow turns).

I had the transfer case replaced at 96K miles and am now at 209K. The first time the transfer case started smoking...and had a particular smell to it along with a feeling like something was stopping the truck when going in reverse..This time no smoke no other symptoms except the jerking/lurching when turning.

Any ideas what this could be? Thanks all so much in advance.

 

[deaconblues]

I'd check the front diff mount bushings. The viscous coupling in the transfer case can also be locking up.

 

[boominXplorer]

Make sure your tires are of the same size and air pressure. If that all checks out then I'm going to say viscous coupling as said above.

 

[Kali2024]

Thanks! So I found out it's a viscous coupling(???) in the transfer case. My friend took off the front drive shat so now I have rear wheel drive till I get that piece replaced.

Since he took it off, the truck makes no clunking noise and does not jerk/lurch forward.

 

[blacktrac07]

just out of curiosity, have you noticed if your truck feels any differently without the front driveshaft? i took mine out when diagnosing a shimmy and my truck seems to accelerate more effortlessly, and coasts more freely than before. I kind of like it without to be honest

 

[Nickp_]

just out of curiosity, have you noticed if your truck feels any differently without the front driveshaft? i took mine out when diagnosing a shimmy and my truck seems to accelerate more effortlessly, and coasts more freely than before. I kind of like it without to be honest

I had mine out for a bit before I replaced my front diff, and it seemed to be quicker like you said. Plus, I could finally do burnouts

 

[Kali2024]

just out of curiosity, have you noticed if your truck feels any differently without the front driveshaft? i took mine out when diagnosing a shimmy and my truck seems to accelerate more effortlessly, and coasts more freely than before. I kind of like it without to be honest

yes i did notice that and the overall ride is MUCH smoother now, like it was when I first got it.