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Well-Known Member
Hey folks,
' 94 4x4 w/ ext. cab, 4.0, 5spd, electric T-case, and warn manual hubs. I'm having some front end/steering problems that I think I've tracked to seizing front half-shaft U-joints (both sides are good and stiff).
Trouble is, what I'm seeing doesn't make sense: Occasionally i get a rhythmic (seems roughly at the wheel once-around frequency) grinding/rubbing noise coming from the front end. A few times now, as i slow down, it's been followed by loud clunk and a sharp pull on the wheel, just like you'd get trying to turn on pavement in 4x4. As I said, I've now determined my half-shaft U-joints are seized/seizing up. However, I'm seeing these symptoms while in 4x2... Transfer case (or the switch, at least) is in 4x2, and both warn manual hubs are unlocked. I'm usually going in a straight line when this happens too, which is even more strange (i.e. why would the half-shaft care, if the bad half shaft u-joint is more-or-less completely straight?
What are the odds that either the hub(s) and/or the transfer case might be temporarily locking in 4x4 on at least one side, and trying to spin the half-shaft(s)? Is there any simple way to check for this? I would think the more common failure modes for either of these components would be the opposite (inability to lock). And again, even if this were happening, why would there be any binding when I'm going straight?
I've never had any trouble with 4x4 engaging before. I can feel the difference when 4x4 is on, and it always seems to engage/disengage with the switch just like it should. My T-case fill-plug does leak a bit, but only enough to make it a bit messy. I top it off every spring, and it doesn't take much to get it flowing out of the hole. I just checked tonight (hadn't done that yet this spring, so this was a year's worth of "loss"), and only had to add one or two good squirts from the ATF bottle. Admittedly that was with the fluid warm, but still... Now I'm getting a bit worried that in addition to new U-joints, ball-joints (might as well while it's stripped down that far), etc., I might end up having a problem with the hubs and/or T-case as well. All those clunks as the U-joints bind... Just how much damage might that be doing to either the hubs or T-case?
Very confused as to why it's behaivng this way. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!
' 94 4x4 w/ ext. cab, 4.0, 5spd, electric T-case, and warn manual hubs. I'm having some front end/steering problems that I think I've tracked to seizing front half-shaft U-joints (both sides are good and stiff).
Trouble is, what I'm seeing doesn't make sense: Occasionally i get a rhythmic (seems roughly at the wheel once-around frequency) grinding/rubbing noise coming from the front end. A few times now, as i slow down, it's been followed by loud clunk and a sharp pull on the wheel, just like you'd get trying to turn on pavement in 4x4. As I said, I've now determined my half-shaft U-joints are seized/seizing up. However, I'm seeing these symptoms while in 4x2... Transfer case (or the switch, at least) is in 4x2, and both warn manual hubs are unlocked. I'm usually going in a straight line when this happens too, which is even more strange (i.e. why would the half-shaft care, if the bad half shaft u-joint is more-or-less completely straight?
What are the odds that either the hub(s) and/or the transfer case might be temporarily locking in 4x4 on at least one side, and trying to spin the half-shaft(s)? Is there any simple way to check for this? I would think the more common failure modes for either of these components would be the opposite (inability to lock). And again, even if this were happening, why would there be any binding when I'm going straight?
I've never had any trouble with 4x4 engaging before. I can feel the difference when 4x4 is on, and it always seems to engage/disengage with the switch just like it should. My T-case fill-plug does leak a bit, but only enough to make it a bit messy. I top it off every spring, and it doesn't take much to get it flowing out of the hole. I just checked tonight (hadn't done that yet this spring, so this was a year's worth of "loss"), and only had to add one or two good squirts from the ATF bottle. Admittedly that was with the fluid warm, but still... Now I'm getting a bit worried that in addition to new U-joints, ball-joints (might as well while it's stripped down that far), etc., I might end up having a problem with the hubs and/or T-case as well. All those clunks as the U-joints bind... Just how much damage might that be doing to either the hubs or T-case?
Very confused as to why it's behaivng this way. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!
