2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission klunk klunk front end with Amsoil

[rgreen]

Ok, I have been searching for an answer in hist but after 3 weeks now haven't found one I can understand. I changed to Amsoil in the differentials. series 2000. No problem with figure eights from the rear end but in 4x4 get clunk clunk in sharp turns. Does my truck have limited slip on the front axle causing this. Definite feel all the way to the steering wheel. Its been cold and icy in the Maritimes and I've been in 4X4 much more than I expected. It is my first year eith the truck and I am very impressed. Cold starting hasn't been a problem. Recently installed Catz MSC ionized fogs in the bumper cutouts. Very happy with the increased night vision especially in snow.



Ron

 

[moparguy]

Ron, my guess is you have either a track bar that needs attention or a u-joint going out. The fact that you only noticed it after changing to Amsoil is likely a coincidence.



Good luck, Ronnie



PS, a search on each possibility will yield lots of info.



Just an afterthought, but it's normal to feel a kind of clunk, or binding action when in 4x4 mode and making sharp turns on hard surfaces.

 

[rgreen]

I redid the track bar this summer and the U-joints look OK. No excess movement that I can see and no sign of powdering or anything. Steers and acts well in all other cicumstances and smooth in 2 wheel drive. Why the clunk in 4- wheel drive. Moves the steering wheel back and forth and inch or two. If it is normal thats great. It is really not a problem but was kind of worried it may stress out something else.



Thanks

 

[Dane]

You're only driving in 4x4 on snow or dirt right? If you engage 4 wheel drive on dry pavement you will damage your transfer case.

 

[Red Rocket]

turning violence in 4x4

Short answer, these get pretty violent when turning on dry or even close to dry pavement, I have amsoil in my truck too, works good.



4x4 is really for very loose conditions, any more traction will cause violence.



Nick

 

[Extreme1]

Originally posted by rgreen

Moves the steering wheel back and forth and inch or two. If it is normal thats great.

It normal!

 

[Rman]

Its normal... you really shouldn't use 4wd on pavement. Turning in 4wd is pretty harsh when on hard surfaces. Keep it in the mud, dirt or snow for that stuff!

 

[CSloat]

Mine will move the steering wheel back and forth about 2 inches in a sharp turn if I'm in 4wd on dry, hard packed dirt. On mud or snow I don't feel it. When you turn, the front axle takes a different arc than the rear axle, therefore traveling a different distance. You would feel this bind even if you had an open diff because our transfer cases are locked front/back. To avoid this Jeep and others used a 3rd differential inside their full-time 4wd transfer cases to prevent this bind. This binding/clunking will be felt more if you have better traction.

 

[rgreen]

Great, Glad to get the replies. Ussually use 4x4 only on ice or snow but can't always know when some dryer road will show up. Happy to know it is normal. I can live with it.

Now I can go ahead and invest in gauges. I have been worried about a possible big bill coming from the front end.



Thanks all

 

[BillGotthelf]

That clunk clunk you hear is the edges of the u joint holders hitting the inside edge of the front hub. When the front end binds up (as in turning on pavement) the extra torque pops the u joint outward impacting the case. If you can get some chalk on the outboard edge of the u joint you will see transfer of chalk to the case.