Need some help. We recently just had a bad snow storm and I drove to work in 4-wheel the whole way, 34 miles. Since then when got to turn slow the steering wheel is jerky and feels like it is walking, that same feeling you get in 4-wheel when you try and turn sharp.

I have read some things on here and I am wondering if it is U-Joints or if somehow the hubs are still locked. I know the transfer case is disengaging because I can hear a difference.

I can do some mechanic work but I have never messed with 4-wheel stuff before.

Thanks!

 

Check the outer u-joints on the front axle. Also have a look at the wheel bearings. (hub and bearing units..... not a good idea..... oh well.) Does your 4wd lite go off?

 

I would think since if the 4wd light is off the shift fork on the cad has disengaged the axle collar. I've read where they've stuck. So it wouldn't hurt to check, however...

Some of you younger folks might not know this, but Dodge trucks back in the day had no CAD unit, and most didn't have lockouts either. Both shafts turned and the front driveshaft rotated. You bind the axle joints if you didnt have your stops set.

It is easy for these trucks to bind because Dodge didn't install steering stops in the knuckles over various years. Add some half frozen U-joints and...

You might jack up and secure the front axle and check the hub bearings. Grab the tire at the top and bottom and try to wiggle it. Any more than a little play means your hubs are going out. Inspect the axle shaft joints by looking for rust coming out of the caps or try prying on them with a bar or large screwdriver and check for excessive play in the caps.

 

Yeah my light is going off and as I said before I can tell that the tansfer case is disengaging. I am going to try and jack it up tonight and look over things. I will do the tire check and the cap. Is there anything else I should look for?

BTW I have a 1999 1500.

 

Check ALL of the front end parts. See if anything seems amiss.

 

Ok, thanks guys. I will check tonight and reply with findings.

 

sometimes my 4x4 light will go off but not totally disengauge. I usually put the truck in reverse and just go a short distance and u feel the coupler in the front axle let go.

 

I had a friend lay on the ground while I put the truck in drive and he said the front shaft was not turning so I know the transfer case is disengauged. I lifted the front end and supported it from the axle and grabbed the top and bottom of both tires and tried to wiggle and there is no play at all. I checked all linkage and no play in it.

It rained today so on my way home it seemed that the problem went away when I turned onto my street. Very wierd. Almost as if moisture got into something and fixed it.

Could my front steering shock be causing it. It has over 50,000 on it since last changed.

Let me know if anybody thinks of anything I should check for.

 

With the front end up on stands. Spin the wheels, see how they feel. Then, turn the wheels in either direction a good distance, and spin 'em again. Feel any different?

 

I put the truck on stands last night and spinned the wheels while straight and turned. The drivers side wheel had no difference. The passenger side was hard to spin while turned. I had to force it to spin and then it would want to kind of jerk back to the center.

I took it to have it checked out this morning at the guy said that one wheel will do that on 4x4's with solid axle. The issue seems to be alittle better when it rains. Very wierd! I checked my fluid level in the diff and it is fine. No leakage anywhere. Nothing seems to be loose that I have found.