I am getting a strange binding in my front end when I engage 4WD, Hi or Lo, and turn the wheels. It runs fine in a straight line, but when I try to turn, it feels like one of the front wheels is sticking. I haven't jammed on the gas to see if it will push through the issue, because I don't want to break anything. Do any of you have ideas as to what this could be?

Thanks in advance.

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You have a 4wd vehicle, not awd. That means there's no center differential to allow for variable torque to front and rear differentials. 4wd should only be used on loose surface.

I suggest reading up on 4wd on howstuffworks.com

 

DO not use 4wd if your not on Dirt, Snow, or mud or on the rocks..


You will damage something if its used on dry pavement...

What your saying, is normal for 4WD on a dry surface

 

what the others have said - DO NOT run in 4wd unless you are off pavement.

 

I have the same issue up front. Only in 4wd when turning. (and yes, this is in loose dirt/gravel/etc) Feels like what I would expect a locked front end on dry pavement to feel like, even though the diffs are open and I'm driving on loose dirt.

Thought it might have been something with the gear install, or maybe bad spider gears, but I popped the cover and everything in there looks good. Now I'm thinking it may be the driveshaft angle causing binding, joints wearing out, something? I'll be taking it in for a second opinion since I can't pinpoint it.

 

it will still jump like that on loose gravel etc..

its normal.

 

No, this isn't normal. I don't know if it is what the OP is talking about, but not normal at all.

It is definitely different now than it was before the gears/arms went on. It's binding. Somewhere. My dodge, in 4lo, with a tru-trac up front, has no issues in the same dirt/gravel. It is what I would expect from a full locker on dry pavement. Binding and lurching. But like I said, I popped the diff cover, and everything looks good. The driveshaft angle is at 5deg, so that should be good. So, it's second opinion time...

 

When you turn, your inside wheel turns slower than the outside wheel because its turn radius is smaller. When you're in 4WD, your wheels are locked together, so as you turn the slower wheel fights the faster wheel. This is what you are feeling.
As said, only use 4WD when off road, or in snow. NEVER on dry pavement. You will break something.

 

Mine does the same in loose sand and gravel in a sharp turn to the point that the steering wheel rocks back and forth. Sounds normal to me. When locked up especially front locker, steering is minimal as you probably already know.

 

well i have this same issue.. i was told it was normal.. when u turn it pretty hard the truck will almost jerk or vibrate like if u were to stall a manual car/truck.. i never thought much of it and i personally never use the 4wheel unless im on dirt which is not often. when i bought my jk and i went for a test ride the person i was with told me to cut the wheel caz it should do that and it wasnt the salesman i was with ha.. but idk mayb that person was wrong.. would be interesting to find out. and even if its something with the gears or shafts, im getting them replaced soon anyways.