Steering wheel acts like it's in 4wd

[Cattletrkr]

Going around turns and slow corners, my steering wheel bounces a bit like it does when you try to turn in 4wd. It's not nearly as severe as that, but the same sensation. It's not bad to the point I'm afraid to drive it, but I think it's something that's gonna get worse. I know the truck isn't in 4wd, I can hear it pop out and I can spin rear tires only on gravel.



Crawled unnderneath and everything looks normal. Nothing out of place or bent. Jacked front end up and couldn't find any wiggle like it's the ball joints or something like that. I've never diagnosed ball joints before so I don't know if I did it correctly. Jacked truck up and wiggled tires top to bottom and got nothing.



Front diff fluid is OK, both oil level and change interval.



Power steering fluid is where it should be.



Going around faster curves, anything above 20-25, I can't feel anything. Only when I turn shorter.



Any ideas???



Thanks

Jake

 

[DCaswell]

It is the u-joint or yoke on the end of the axle that is binding when you turn, need to be replaced.

 

[Grunt]

I just had the u-joints replaced along with the left front hub (bad bearings).

That took care of the shake while turning right at slow speeds.

 

[SHyans]

Just had my axle joint replaced for the same reason.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Called dealer service mgr. tonight before I was able to read your replys. Took him about 15secs over the phone to say the same thing. I was gonna pull it into the shop tonight to try and check them out, but it rained. "What's that got to do with it?" you ask. Whatever is binding must have gotten wet and the bounce went away. I'm sure it'll be back tomorrow. I really don't want to crawl under a dripping wet truck anyway.



Yet another reason DC is dropping the 7/70.



Thanks for the replys, and so quick too.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Instead of being tight and binding on me, the left axle joint is now loose. That's why it quit (more or less) jumping. Goes to dealer on Fri. Thanks for the replys.

 

[roadking]

45'000 miles just had upper and lower ball joints and both front wheel bearings mine does thje same thing at low speeds keep us posted

 

[Cattletrkr]

I guess I should have been more specific with my last post. Went to dealer yesterday and they checked it out. They diagnosed it as a bad axle joint, and I was standing right there and felt the "looseness" myself. They didn't have time yesterday (6hrs. or so for both) so it's going in Fri to get fixed. If you've got the same bouncing, git 'er done.

 

[DUBLR]

Anyone know if the bad axle joints, u-joint or yokes on the end of the axles are coverdd by the 7-70 warranty? I just rotated back to the stock BFG's from my winter 285 70 17 BFG KO's (that were aligned for that tire), and ended up with this jerking deal when turning. I know my ball joints are bad... and since I have brake pulsing, the ball joints and now this, at 60K miles, waiting to do the whole deal.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Basically anything driveline is covered. Ball joints are steering so nope, not covered. At least that's what I was told.

 

[SHyans]

Basically anything driveline is covered. Ball joints are steering so nope, not covered. At least that's what I was told.

I've had two issues, ball joints and most recently axle U joints. Both times everything done under warranty. Hinckley Dodge, SLC Utah

 

[Cattletrkr]

SHyans, how many miles on the odo?

 

[SHyans]

Ball Joint 3k

Axle U joint 9k

Truck current total 11k

 

[Cattletrkr]

Well yeah... you're still under the 3/36. I was thinking beyond that.

 

[SHyans]

Well yeah... you're still under the 3/36. I was thinking beyond that.

Oh!!!!!!!!!! (so I get "10 characters")