squirly in 4WD
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Littlerock, Calif.
squirly in 4WD
well, i don't know if i have posted this problem here or not.
i tried to find a search feature for this forum, but i cannot find one..
anyway.. my 1986 full size bronco..manual hubs is squirly when i go into 4wd.
it is ok until i hit about 25mph...
i mean it starts feeling like it is going sideways.. this way and that.
no clicking heard.. the hubs seem like they are physically locking in when i turn the hubs manually..
any ideas ?
these hubs were replaced a few months ago...i had them remove those cheap plastic things that it came from the factory with..
krea@socal.rr.com
i tried to find a search feature for this forum, but i cannot find one..
anyway.. my 1986 full size bronco..manual hubs is squirly when i go into 4wd.
it is ok until i hit about 25mph...
i mean it starts feeling like it is going sideways.. this way and that.
no clicking heard.. the hubs seem like they are physically locking in when i turn the hubs manually..
any ideas ?
these hubs were replaced a few months ago...i had them remove those cheap plastic things that it came from the factory with..
krea@socal.rr.com
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
squirly in 4WD
You're not using 4WD on pavement, are you? :-X23 Lock each front hub and reach into the steering knuckle to see if you can spin the U-joint more than 1/8 turn. It should lock together before it turns further than that. Once it's locked, you shouldn't be able to turn the u-joint even using a screwdriver as a pry bar. Check both.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Littlerock, Calif.
squirly in 4WD
of course i'm using 4wd on pavement..
wet pavement and snow pavement.
nothing wrong with that..
been doing it for over 20 years with several 4wd vehicles..
multiple times in the winter 50-60 mph from new mexico north to colorado west to utah. .. 4wd all the way.. hundreds of miles..
you guys are under a commmon misunderstanding about how 4wd is meant to be used and was developed to be used.
check with the manufacturers if you don't think so... they will tell you it's just fine.
back east we use em for 7 months out of the year.. every where you go.. all freeways//roads.. everything.. that's what it for !!
wet pavement and snow pavement.
nothing wrong with that..
been doing it for over 20 years with several 4wd vehicles..
multiple times in the winter 50-60 mph from new mexico north to colorado west to utah. .. 4wd all the way.. hundreds of miles..
you guys are under a commmon misunderstanding about how 4wd is meant to be used and was developed to be used.
check with the manufacturers if you don't think so... they will tell you it's just fine.
back east we use em for 7 months out of the year.. every where you go.. all freeways//roads.. everything.. that's what it for !!
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: The Rock, BC
squirly in 4WD
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Dec-02 AT 04:58 PM (EST)]sounds like you may hvae a "locker" or maybe a tight "limited Slip" unit in there. pull the cover an check the carrier type. A locker or a tight LSD will cause the front end to Push (or under steer) cosiderably on snow and ice. Or you may hve the same thing in the rear or both. here's an easier test ... lock the hubs, lift ONE front tire off the ground and spin, should be no problem. if it wont spin you have a locking device in there, if it takes a good effort to get the tire to spin the it's a LSD. now do the same for the rear axle. these devices are generally added in to aid with off-road traction, but can cause some poor handling on the highway in slippery situations.
