steering intermittently jerks to left

[TShikoski]

I have a 92 4wd and when running in 2wd the steering will intermittently suddenly jerk to the left. NOT enough to cause a control issue, but enough that I can feel the sudden jerk in the steering wheel. This problem appears to be related to the front U-joints as I can put it in 4wd with hubs NOT locked (just the shaft turning) and seemingly have the problem go away. This has me wondering what is gong on. Though I have recently lubed the complete vehicle, the problem continues.

Suggestions please?!

 

[rpowell]

i have the same problem but mine wants to go to the right, i'm thinking it's something to do with the powersteering. oh by the way hello everyone

 

[chunter]

I had this issue on a 92 W250 at around 200k miles and it was the LH front axle u- joint. Jack up the front end and try to turn the front axles through the open knuckles and see if the u-joints rotate freely. Or you could lock the hubs spin the tires by hand.

 

[DieselBuzz]

Mine felt like I was driving on a ridge. It would pull to one side, I'd steer it back and it would pull to the other. I changed the fluid and the problem went away. I have a 4x4 and the box had loosened up from the plate that mounts to the frame. So I took the whole system off, I rebuild the vac pump too, so I could torque it on to the plate good. This seemed to have stirred up the old crud in the system and that's what gave me the problem when I got it back on. Maybe you might be in the earlier stages of this problem. Good luck and I hope you find a solution soon.

 

[JLEONARD]

2wd the steering will intermittently suddenly jerk to the left

I think there is therapy available to minimize that. :-laf

 

[TShikoski]

Found the problem!

As suggested, I put the front end up on jack stands and engaged the hub locks on the passenger side first. Wheel turned somewhat easily with the wheel straight, full right and full left positions. Unlocked the hub and repeated the process with the drivers side. It soon became evident that the universal joint was binding on that side. There was some slight drag and grab which increased in intensity as I rotated the wheel and turned to the right and left. Very noticiceable bind as the wheel was turned to the maximum positions.

Being short on time, I checked with the local shop which quoted me approximately $125. R and R of the U joint if I took it out and carried it to the local shop for repair was about $50. Hummmmmm. Though I could the $$ elsewhere, for that difference, I made an appointment for a fix tomorrow morning.



Thanks to everyone who offered a suggestion. This group is the BEST !!