Front wheel hop/wobble

[Kyle M.]

Whenever I drive in 4WD and get on it at all with the front wheels turned, my wheels wobble. I am thinking it is the U joint in bind. If that is what it is, how would I go about fixing it? Clearance the yokes for more angle? Or is it something I haven't thought about?

Thanks

 

[Jspafford]

First thing that comes to mind is it's normal? U-joints bind when at full lock. Put some power on them, it could get worse.

Are you on drypack when this happens.

 

[Kyle M.]

I think it is partly normal, but I wonder if there are ways to improve it. It does it all the time, snow, mud, sand......it just bothers me. It feels like I am going to break something when it does it.

you can see it here at about 45 seconds in.
http://www.youtube.com/user/iiweazle#p/u/5/A4zFfH4bJ3Y

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

That's actually very normal. The u-joints bind at higher angles, and with speed the acceptable angle becomes less. Considering the fact your wheel speed is doubled with one tire spinning on an open diff, and your wheel was turned, your wheel joint was binding up.

There are no modifications to better this issue cause really it comes down to physics and geometry. The only and very impractical way to fit it would be to replace your u-joints with CV joints.

That's the reason all FWD cars have CV joints on their front axles.

You just have to teach yourself how to drive around it, cause if you do it enough it'll break your axles.

 

[Jspafford]

That looks more like worn out suspension/steering components to me.

That seems excessive. How are your tie rod ends?

 

[Kyle M.]

They are all good, everything is new or close to new. The only issue with the front end is the drop pitman arm is a little short for the amount of lift I have. Maybe that is the issue? More of a bump steer exaggeration?

 

[4x4junkie]

Mine does the same thing when the wheel is cut hard like that.

Like was said, the only way you'd get rid of it is to put CV joint axles in the frontend ($$$$$$$, but might be doable using stuff from Longfield maybe. Some custom splining would be needed).

 

[Kyle M.]

Alright, I guess I will just deal with it. Just seems like it got worse with the lift, but just maybe it was just the bigger tires making it look worse.

Thanks

 

[4x4junkie]

The added weight and inertia of bigger tires will make it more apparent, yes. If you have to gas it and spin your tires for whatever reason, just try not to cut the wheel quite as far.