Front steering U joint

[TShikoski]

After experiencing the misterious "jerk and turn" symptom, I did some research on this GREAT information storehouse. Found out after puting the front on jack stands, that the front drivers side u joint is "grabing" (read locking up) when the wheel is turned beyond the half way point. I locked the hubs and put it in four wheel drive and did some tight right and left hand circles in the farm field with no noticible effect.

And now the question:

I am not currently in a position to do the repairs myself, but the mechanic I trust (my son) is about 125 miles from me. Anyone have any guses about what might happen if I attempt the drive??



Thanks everyone.



Tom

 

[Greenleaf]

The very worst... . you HAVE to stop along the way, then some joker in a power-joke stops to say "ya tired of walken,,,,,,,,, then try runnen"!!!



Anyhow, I'm a 4x4 Powersroke vet. Ya,Ya, I know. Anyway, I'm not sure what lock-up you described. They simply chuck the bearings out, then the yokes tie into one another. If the cross is gonzo, the yokes are touching, maybe it could then lock up????? I've replaced some joints so bad that the yokes had worn the cross away and worked into one another thereby rendering them junk.



BTW, on the FORD, I don't think the front drive shaft turns when it's in 2x4 mode unless,,,,, the junk auto hubs are toast or the lock out is IN. Does yours turn when in 2x4 mode???? You shouldn't have a problem if it doesn't, yet you said it has noise only in 2x4. Bottom line, I don't know. I suppose the joint is " locking up " when it rotates to allow you to turn the wheels.



Scott

 

[cerberusiam]

If you have the same setup as the 91 models you should have an NP205 transfer case and manually locking hubs. With the t-case in 2 wheel drive and the hubs unlocked neither the axle shafts where the bad ujoint is or the front drive shaft turn. You can drive it for a 100k and it won't be a problem as long as you don't engage the front end. The problem may be if you have auto locking hubs and they don't work right. The auto locks should only engage if the front drive shaft is turning and the wheels rolling but they have been known to have a mind of their own about engaging/disengaging. I don't think the auto-locks were an option on the heavy front axles but its been too long to know for sure. The manual hubs have a center cap you need to turn for engagement where the autos have a smooth cover. If everything disengages on the front end you can drive where you need to to replace the ujoints. Good luck.

 

[JFitzgerald]

Yes, the front end can be disengaged, but remember that those steering u-joints in the front axle still have to move with the steering, and if they're binding, they could be a problem whether the truck is in 4WD or not.



I'd just use your judgement, be careful, use the back roads if you can. If it's really binding bad, it might be worth having it towed or trailered to where you get it fixed.