Front end... Is this normal (1 Viewer)

[7schulz]

When driving in parking lots and tight turns the front end seem to bind up and will skip or push on the tires. I have just replaced all diff's with new fluid and it still seems to do it. Is this normal for the solid front. It does have E-lockers but they are not engaged. Kind of seems like they are at turning extreems.

 

[spdwaver]

That almost sounds like the front lockers are engaged/did not disengage.

 

[7schulz]

I thought that too but it locks and un locks and is way worse when locked. It's only when I slow down to pull into a parking spot and have the wheels cranked.

 

[pr0ject42]

CDL maybe?

 

[7schulz]

It un-locks and locks also. I just added the CDL switch and it did it before.

 

[80t0ylc]

Do you have the FF rear end with rear disc brakes? If so, you have a VC in your center diff (AKA transfer case). If this VC is seized up, it's like your center diff is locked up all the time. So, question is: does locking your CDL with the switch make a difference. If VC is not seized up, the binding in corners should be way worse with CDL locked.

 

[-Spike-]

I have a vehicle with the VC locked. It will chirp and scrub on occasion, but I don't notice any steering issues. Is it possible the turning stops are not adjusted properly? I don't know the proper procedure for adjusting them, I'm sure it's in the FSM.

 

[Ebag333]

Sounds like a siezed VC to me.

 

[7schulz]

Will using the synthetic maybe unseize it, it almost seemed like it might be getting a little better. It was pretty black (what came out of the C-diff). Would locking and unlocking a number of times loosen it up?

 

[Pin_Head]

Will using the synthetic maybe unseize it?

No. It is a sealed unit with special silicon oil.

You can remove it if it is siezed.

 

[EricG]

Will using the synthetic maybe unseize it, it almost seemed like it might be getting a little better. It was pretty black (what came out of the diff). Would locking and unlocking a number of times loosen it up?

The viscous coupler (VC) is in the transfer case, not the diff. Any chance your truck was towed with one axle on the ground?

 

[7schulz]

No idea, I hope someone wouldn't be that stupid. I changed the transfer case oil too, Syn, but if it is something else sealed separate than the oil I changed, I guess I will have to figure out how to fix it.

 

[Flank]

sounds to me like VC issue as well, it is not normal for tire chirps under normal operation.

 

[stonemasoncruiser]

Maybe you could pull the front driveshaft, lock your CDL and take a test spin.
That should tell you if it's a VC issue.
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Ebag333]

Maybe you could pull the front driveshaft, lock your CDL and take a test spin.
That should tell you if it's a VC issue.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Actually the test would be to see if it drives with 1 driveshaft in (and 1 out) the exact same with the CDL engaged vs disengaged. If it does, it's almost certainly a seized VC.

 

[-Spike-]

Or you could just jack up one wheel and try to spin it, with the truck in neutral.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I'd agree with the VC as a suspect, but if you have different tires, or tires that were not rotated and thus significantly different (only notable with serious measurement technique) tire diameter/circumference will also provide some binding. What's on the vehicle for tires?

DougM

 

[gotmud]

Similar issues that Interconnect had recently. Looking at his avatar should be enough incentive to stop driving it around until you determine the problem, which is likely the VC.

 

[7schulz]

Michelin LTX

 

[7schulz]

OK, this morning I turned on the CDL switch and it acted about the same. (not as bad as before but the ground is wet this morning) So my conclusion is, it is the VC. Is this something I should tackle as a newbie? Should I just take it out and how do I do that or should I talk to my neighbor who has a local garage. Would it be better to replace the VC or just scr ap it? I also have a whine coming from somewhere at 35mph+ (wheel bearing?) but the whine only happens when I have gas to it or curising but as soon as I let off the gas and coast the whine goes away, might have him look at that also. It also definitely needs new spark plug wires one I can see bare metal. Should I order that from CDan or would my local T-dealer be better without shipping. I will get the plugs and wires and cap and rotor air filter and oil filter. Can I tackle the cap and rotor? Is it pretty easy to do? If someone has pictures of how to do the cap and rotor send them my way.