Strange "wandering" feeling when heading down road
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Freshman User
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Strange "wandering" feeling when heading down road
Okay, so this is a very intermittent problem but it has been happening more and more lately. When this scenario happens, it is like the rough spot when driving in manually locked 4WD when turning the wheel, but it is where the steering wheel would be to go completely straight and when I try and correct it, it is like the wheel just over corrects when I try and the truck heads the direction the wheel is facing. I'm not sure what this problem is but it is really confusing me. The hubs are both in auto and the ESOF switch is to 2WD if that makes a difference. And it happened today after I made a left turn into the parking lot on campus. Thanks in advance, Jeremy
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 89
From: TN
Check to see if your hubs are unlocked by trying to turn the axle. I use a wrench or screwdriver in between the u joint yokes. If they are unlocked, look at your steering components(play, wear). Also check for worn ball joints. I have had the bearings in the steering wheel column go bad and experience the same symptoms you have in the early stages of failure.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2015
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When I turn the axle on the drivers side, the drive shaft turns, but when I turn the axle on the passengers side, the drive shaft does not turn. I've turned both hubs to lock and then auto several times yet to no avail.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 89
From: TN
When you say 'driveshaft' are you referring to the one connecting the transfer case?
If you have your hubs in 'Auto', you should be able to freely turn the front axles. You may need to remove them, inspect for wear or damage, clean, grease and reinstall.
If you have your hubs in 'Auto', you should be able to freely turn the front axles. You may need to remove them, inspect for wear or damage, clean, grease and reinstall.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
Likes: 74
From: Houston TEXAS
Just to be clear....
You are jacking the front of the truck up off the ground and turning each wheel and witnessing the drive shaft turn with one of them. Correct?
You're not talking about turning the axle by turning the U-joints in the steering knuckles while the tires are still on the ground. Correct?
You are jacking the front of the truck up off the ground and turning each wheel and witnessing the drive shaft turn with one of them. Correct?
You're not talking about turning the axle by turning the U-joints in the steering knuckles while the tires are still on the ground. Correct?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 89
From: TN
Yes, I am talking about turning them(axle-shaft) while the tires are in contact with the ground. This will insure that the axle shaft is not simply turning with the wheel assembly therefore giving a false diagnosis.
I can hand turn my axle-shafts with the wheels on the ground. This is a definitive way I check for disengagement of the hub. I have had the axle-shafts turn when I rotate the wheel assembly in the air even with the hubs unlocked before.
I can hand turn my axle-shafts with the wheels on the ground. This is a definitive way I check for disengagement of the hub. I have had the axle-shafts turn when I rotate the wheel assembly in the air even with the hubs unlocked before.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Melbourne, Ky
Were the wheels straight when doing this? If so, try turning the steering wheel some and turn the u-joints/axle shafts again. If the u-joints are binding up, this will be difficult, if not impossible to do.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 89
From: TN
If you are able to turn the axle-shafts while the wheels are in contact with the ground, then your hubs are disengaged. The driveshaft from t-case to diff can rotate while moving the axle shafts if your t-case in is 2-hi.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,405
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You most likely have a U-joint that is going out and is intermittently seizing. Do what CampSpringsJohn suggested above. Turn your wheels and try to rotate the U-joints by hand again. Check for any inconsistency in the force needed for rotation.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2015
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Okay thank you for all of the information! I might bring it into the lab during my transmission class and see if I can't Jack up the front axle and try the tests you all have told me about. I greatly appreciate all of the advice and thank you all so much! I will try and keep you all updated as to what I find. One of my teachers said he might ride with me and try to get it to happen and see what it is. What confuses me is why would a u-joint be causing this if the hubs are unlocked? I would think the u-joints couldn't cause this if the hub is unlocked.