2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission front end binding in 4X4

[shawn huizenga]

Hey guys, I've got a problem with my pickup that I can't seem to pinpoint hopefully someone has experience with this type of a problem. I'll start off with the pickup, its a 99 2500 4X4, 265 Toyos, 95,000 miles, and a set of leveling pucks in the front. My problem is just today when I put it in 4X4 to get up a ditch at the farm I was driving it on the road afterward and it seemed to have a slight vibration when slowing down from around 30 MPH. Also, when I went to turn around there seemed to be binding going on in the front end somewhere, even when turning pretty wide. One other thing, I was driving on gravel. So I pulled the pickup into our shop and took a look. The front driveline coming from the transfer case seems tight, and I'm not sure how to check the front u joints to see if they're bad. I am thinking that's what the problem is, but if you have some other ideas please elaborate. If it ends up being the front two u joints, how big of a job are they to replace? Thanks in advance for your help.



Shawn Huizenga

 

[Joe G.]

To check the front axle U-joints. Jack up the front and put in on axle stands. Start with the wheels straight ahead. Turn the wheel by hand. It should turn smooth even with bad U-joints unless a U-joint is really bad. Turn the steering until the wheels are hard over. Turn the wheels by hand again. If there is a bad U-joint it will grind or bind up. Repeat hard over the other way.

 

[fox]

Were you in 4X4 and on pavement?

These are part time transfer cases, and that is a no-no.

 

[shawn huizenga]

I'll try jacking up the front end and turning the tires this evening. I'm sure that's what is causing the binding while turning, but I just wanted to confirm my thoughts. The vibration is what I can't figure out, because it seems to be a faster vibration such as one coming from the front driveline, but the u joints seem tight. Can one be bad and it still feel tight when checking it by hand?



By the way, I was driving on gravel in 4X4 out at the farm.



Shawn