First snow of the season and my 4WD is screwed up. I can not figure out what is going on. This only happens when the 4H or 4L is engaged but it is worse in 4L.

The Problem:
I engaged the 4WD in 4H. Everything is okay when going straight, although it seems like the engine is straining a little more than it should. On a slow speed turn the steering wheel and wheels will jerk, somewhat violently, and it feels as though something is grinding slightly, or at least rubbing because the truck just does not like to turn. As soon as I take it out of 4WD and return to 2WD, the truck drives and turns normally. In 4L, it is somewhat worse.

What I've done so far:
I checked my transmission fluid. It was barely registering on the stick. I added 2 quarts on ATF +4 and it is now right at full. I checked and added in Neutral, ran through all gears while the tranny was warm. Fluid is full. This helped a very tiny amount.
I then checked my power steering fluid. Also needed some. That's full now as well. That did not help at all. The u-Joints in the front axles are Brand new - 2 months old. U-Joints in the rear drive shaft are also 2 months old. The joints in the front prop shaft however are old. There is no play in the shaft though. None what so ever.

What I am thinking:
Could this be a tie rod problem? I haven't checked them yet, or the ball joints, but they could be bad. As soon as I can check them I will and will post my findings.

I need to fix this problem ASAP. I live in the North East and it's December 2ed. It's snowing already. I have a 4WD that is now a 2WD truck. Not Cool. Please help me.

 

how much snow was on the road? how well was it sanded

sounds to me like when your trying to use 4WD on dry pavement whitch is a no no
or if you were trying to turn really sharp

 

No I know you don't use 4WD on dry road's, and I was turnign sharply, but the steering wheel was another 3/4's turn to lock. It shouldn't be jumping like it is.

Someone else told me it could be a bearing in the front end. Could this be it?

 

If you try to turn sharply, the wheel will do that. Its normal.

 

But jumping 8 inches from side to side?

I was gonna have my mechanic look at it, but I injured my knee again (dislocated knee cap - Torn Medial Patellar or something like that), and I can't drive, so it's gonna have to wait till I drive again.

I trust you guys so I will leave it alone right now.

 

LOL "4WD drive vehicle to a 2WD vehicle NOT COOL" haha that sounded funny. I remember in a movie nicholas cage was in, called like the family man or something, he got stuck being somebody else, and like he pulled up to his big builidng on wall st. in a family van (dodge carvan), and his bellboy wouldnt let him in because he didnt recognize him, so he violently goes bk to his van in his robe and yelles "NOT COOL, NOT COOL!" lol. I dont mean to laugh at ur prob, just sounded funny, id be pissed as **** too!

 

def not a tie rod end or ball joint- if it were either it would happen in either 2wd or 4wd- wouldnt make a difference. I definately aggree w/ ryan and boston- when youre in 4wd you have to take a somewhat wide turn- if you turn tight it will make a loud popping sound and jerk somewhat- being on snow/ ice it might feel like its jerking more than usual because its sliding.Hope it helps! good luck sounds like that knee issue would hurt!

 

Um, there shouldn't be a cv shaft at all in the front, its a solid axle setup. I would check your spider gears in the front axle, they won't spin in 2wd so you wouldn't notice any negative effects from them being all chewed up in 2wd. The fact that it does it only in turns (Iam assuming you aren't using 4wd in high traction type situations) with 4wd engaged leads me to believe its in the gears. However, if that checks out fine,I would check your hubs and axle u-joints.

 

ha oops your right wrong kinda truck DEF should back up on that one-ill shut up now

 

Track bar could be NFG but you should still feel a wobble in sharpe 2wd turns. Tie rod end on the pitman arm?