4x4 vibration.
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4x4 vibration.
I'm in the process of "debugging" my 87 Bronco II that so many people have been forced to deal with on my other thread. I'm glad that mess is finally over. So here's one of my remaining problems.
When in 4Lo or 4Hi, or when the front axle hubs are locked, the whole drivetrain shakes back and forth. When I'm in 2WD, it doesn't shake at all. It sounds to me like something is binding up somewhere but I can't figure out if its in the transfer case or the Dana 28 front end.
Has anybody experienced this before? I'm checking the usual suspects of worn U-joints up front but I'm wondering if its something wrong in the transfer case. Your help is greatly appreciated!
When in 4Lo or 4Hi, or when the front axle hubs are locked, the whole drivetrain shakes back and forth. When I'm in 2WD, it doesn't shake at all. It sounds to me like something is binding up somewhere but I can't figure out if its in the transfer case or the Dana 28 front end.
Has anybody experienced this before? I'm checking the usual suspects of worn U-joints up front but I'm wondering if its something wrong in the transfer case. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,307
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From: MARYLAND
check the U-joints on the front drive shaft, check the front drive shaft for straightness...check the front axle shaft U-joints, check the front axle shafts for straightness.
are the hubs automatic or manual lock out..check them.
pull the plug out of the front diff and see if there is fluid in there..it's clean and don't have metal in it.
are the hubs automatic or manual lock out..check them.
pull the plug out of the front diff and see if there is fluid in there..it's clean and don't have metal in it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,915
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
If it's while driving straight, and especially while turning in 4WD hi or lo range -- the steering wheel going back and forth -- it is most likely the outer axle shaft U-joints (driver's side only has one, but if I remember right, pass. side has two, which is why I said outer) binding up from sitting so long and not being exercised. The easiest (and probably most expensive) fix for this is to replace both axle shaft assemblies, but you can replace the U-joints themselves (I would replace all 3 at the same time, but that's just me) if you can't free them up with penetrating oil, re-greasing and some light 'calibration' with the proper tools. The symptoms you described are rarely related to front driveshaft / yoke issues, that's a different vibration symptom altogether.
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Alright everybody. Thanks for the input. I'll get around to this after I get the exhaust system put back on. As good as it sounds, I don't wanna get pulled over.
Help I M Stuck, heh been there and done that, its got manual hubs which seem to be in good shape.
So I'll give this thing a shot in the coming days and report back what I find out. Thanks!
Help I M Stuck, heh been there and done that, its got manual hubs which seem to be in good shape.
So I'll give this thing a shot in the coming days and report back what I find out. Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Hi,
It is almost always the pass. side outer UJ that goes bad because it is not protected behind the TTB. It usually freezes up inside the cups and is greaseless because the seals have failed.
It is the best way to blow an axle. It will seem to work until -SNAP- and the ears either break or deform.
A properly working front driveline with the hubs locked in, but in 2x4 (I used to leave my hubs locked in all the time during winter), should feel "heavy" while steering at highway speed, but, there should be no vibration or shaking at all.
If there is, you need to take care of it before you get off road, otherwise you will find yourself pulling a spindle in the worse spot or worse stuck in 2x4.
It is almost always the pass. side outer UJ that goes bad because it is not protected behind the TTB. It usually freezes up inside the cups and is greaseless because the seals have failed.
It is the best way to blow an axle. It will seem to work until -SNAP- and the ears either break or deform.
A properly working front driveline with the hubs locked in, but in 2x4 (I used to leave my hubs locked in all the time during winter), should feel "heavy" while steering at highway speed, but, there should be no vibration or shaking at all.
If there is, you need to take care of it before you get off road, otherwise you will find yourself pulling a spindle in the worse spot or worse stuck in 2x4.
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well i got the exhaust on today so now i can start working with the front end. i can definitely feel something binding up because its making the whole truck wobble when i'm in 4x4. i'll check it out as soon as time allows. right now i don't have any problems with keeping it just as an on-road vehicle right now. thanks!
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