Ok guys my brother just bought a 97 w. a 4.2 and a 5sp. Runs gerat but when you put her in $ wheel it feels like something is binding when you turn. I think its a bent front axel. but i was wondering if you guys had any othrt thought ? i will be looking into it next weekend . any thought helpful or otherwise will be appreciated thanks guy for being such a fun and helpful site ful of people.

 

If you turn in 4wd on a hard surface (good traction) you will feel things bind due to the lack of a differential between the front and back wheels (4wd vs AWD)

 

that's why you're only supposed to use it in low-traction situations. however, i still prefer part time 4WD to an AWD setup.

 

i know that i have driven four wheel dives all my life . but this is a big time bind up.

 

Are you driving it on a hard surface? It will bind when you turn. If a bent front axle was causing the bind it would also happen in 4x2.


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jmc

I have read many of your posts and i truely respect your pinion ant do believe you know your stuff. But that said Im curious as to why you think it would also happen in twp wheel drive if it were indeed a bent front axel ? My reasoning, and please do correct me if I am wrong is. On a truck with auto hubs the front axles only turn when you are in 4x4 so if one is bent why would it cause a bind in 2wd when essentialy its just sitting idle ?
Again I am certainly not trying to undermine your knowledge I am only trying to better understand your reasoning.



Thank you


Don

 

Your brother has a 1997 with a 4.2. That uses an independent front suspension with an axle disconnect on the passenger side axle. The hubs ara constantly engages so the half shafts are always turning therefore if one of them were bent they would bind even in two wheel drive.


Regards

Jean Marc Chartier