Front Wheel Binding, Front Driveshaft Removed (2 Viewers)

[ghostofamerica]

Hi H8ers,
I was on a commute this morning when I noticed a binding in my front wheels while tight turning in a gas station parking lot. I stopped, I read forums, I removed front driveshaft. I drove it again, thought it was grand. Now I'm getting the binding again, without the driveshaft. I suppose I should lift the front axle and try to spin the wheels.

There was something I did awhile back, (put an entire extra tube of grease in the balls) hoping that's not the problem.

Does anyone have suggestions as to what I am looking for now?

Thanks,
David

 

[baldilocks]

A binding as in it was difficult to steer past a certain point? If so, was did it feel the same in both directions? Any associated noises?

 

[ghostofamerica]

A binding as in it was difficult to steer past a certain point? If so, was did it feel the same in both directions? Any associated noises?

Hi baldilocks,
Turning tight definitely, but even turning at half-radius feels unwell. it binds in both directions. i'll double check that when I go back outside. there is some real light clicking, not even sure I hear it correctly. Both directions. Again, i'll double check that again. I'm at school and in their parking lot. If I had to, I could leave it here tonight. but I live twenty miles away, so, yuck. But destroying my truck, bigger yuck.

 

[ghostofamerica]

A binding as in it was difficult to steer past a certain point? If so, was did it feel the same in both directions? Any associated noises?

At least one of the wheels is falling off at the hub. taking the wheel off the investigate

 

[ghostofamerica]

At least one of the wheels is falling off at the hub. taking the wheel off the investigate

now, i'm not sure. there is play, about a quarter inch, maybe less.

 

[Mandrake]

Post a picture of what you're working with. Are you talking about the wheel bearings having play?

 

[ghostofamerica]

Post a picture of what you're working with. Are you talking about the wheel bearings having play?

Hi Mandrake,
I'll grab a pic soon as I'm back at it, but best answer i have is maybe. I'm not sure how much play I should have if any. I took the wheel off and found I had play in the hub, I could move the brake rotor about 1/16-1/8" on the side opposite the caliper.

I don't know jack, so I don't know 1) if that's even bad 2) if it could cause the binding in the front wheels.

I took the driveshaft out this am and thought I had fixed it. The wheels wouldn't bind just because they aren't "in sync" with the rear, would they?

 

[ghostofamerica]

I'm just panicking and jumping to conclusions. Not for no reason, but I'm not helping myself any.

 

[Mandrake]

Your wheel bearing is loose. You'll need a 54mm socket to tighten the axle nut.

 

[ghostofamerica]

Your wheel bearing is loose. You'll need a 54mm socket to tighten the axle nut.

copy that. i will investigate this lead thoroughly before reporting back. thank you @Mandrake

 

[Mandrake]

If you don't have a service manual, download one from the Resources section of this website.

 

[Kernal]

@ghostofamerica said:

"I noticed a binding in my front wheels while tight turning ----I removed front driveshaft. I drove it again ----I'm getting the binding again, without the driveshaft"

Questions:

Did you lock the CDL after removing the front driveshaft?
Have you been driving the vehicle previously with a driveshaft removed?
Do all your tires match (size)?
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Either way, if you have a US FZJ80 with the HF2AV transfer case (which came with all US spec models) then you should not be able to drive with one driveshaft removed unless the Center Diff Lock (CDL) is engaged (or if the viscous coupler is frozen).

If you can drive the vehicle and now it feels like it's binding it may mean that your viscous coupler (inside the transfer case) is sticking/binding ie: damaged from too much heat/friction internally.

The long term fix is to either replace or remove the viscous coupler inside the transfer case.

As a test you can lock the CDL (see below) to see if the vehicle drives better (no binding) with the front driveshaft removed.

Procedure to lock the CDL (in models that don't have the Diff Lock button or 7-pin Modification):

First turn the ignition key to ON (or start the vehicle).
Shift the transfer case to LO and leave it there
Turn the vehicle/engine OFF
Remove the large square yellow/orange 30A DIFF LOCK fuse from the dash fuse box, bottom right, and leave it out
Shift the Transfer case back to HI
Start the vehicle
Two indicator/warning lights should come on, ABS and DIFF LOCK, which mean the CDL is locked and ABS has been disabled.
Drive the vehicle to see if it makes a difference when driving/turning