Front end binding

[afusco1222]

Hey everyone

2003 TJ with a HP 30 up front. 4.88 gears, ARB, original stock shafts and u-joints. I was getting my rear driveshaft rebalanced recently and was in front wheel drive for 2 days and whenever I would pull into a parking spot and had to make a tight low speed turn, the front end would bind, rock the Jeep from side to side momentarily and continue to drive forward. I can get it to repeat itself very consistently. How would I check to make sure the locker isn’t acting up? I don’t have a lift but have a floor jack and jack stands to work with. What’s the best way to check that the u-joints aren’t the problem? Thanks in advance.

 

[PisgahLJ]

Put on emergency brake with tranny in neutral. Jack up one side and spin the tire by hand. If it spins diff is unlocked. If it doesn't diff is locked.

 

[afusco1222]

So the ARB is definitely unlocked because I can make tight turns. My question pertains more to how do I know the ARB isn’t having issues being open and isn’t doing something weird internally? Since this binding is only happening in tight turns, it’ll be hard to simulate in garage. Does this sound more like a u-joint issue?

 

[Rubicon88]

Do you have any sawing at the steering wheel while cruisng down the road?

 

[afusco1222]

What do you mean?

 

[Rubicon88]

What do you mean?

Driving straight down the road...do you find yourself sawing at the wheel....
(going back and forth to keep it straight)

 

[afusco1222]

Yes. Hate to admit this but I think it’s always been like that

 

[Rubicon88]

Yes. Hate to admit this but I think it’s always been like that

There's a good chance that could be causing you binding issues.

 

[afusco1222]

Any recommendations as to what part is causing that?

 

[John Cooper]

When mine was doing that my tow in was out of adjustment, front end alignment fixed it along with the crown heavy duty steering set up.

 

[afusco1222]

When mine was doing that my tow in was out of adjustment, front end alignment fixed it along with the crown heavy duty steering set up.

I don’t think toe would cause low speed binding but it could cause the sawing. I’ll check the alignment.

 

[derekmac]

Mine is FWD right now also while I wait to get a new rear DS for it, and it also drives the same way as yours. My toe is (or at least was) set right, and it tracks perfectly down the hwy with no steering input needed to keep it going straight. It drove the exact same way a few years back when I had the DS out to change the u-joints.

I just figured it was the big grippy tires not wanting to slip when being driven. So I'm no help to your question, but your Jeep isn't the only one that drives like that in FWD.

 

[Rubicon88]

Any recommendations as to what part is causing that?

2 possibles...and...both could possibly be affecting this.

#1 you need to watch your steering joints. Have helper steer back and forth at a normal pace 2-3 inches. Thats all you need. Not running. !!
I repeat not running. While they are going back and forth a couple of inches you need to watch every single joint...including the pitman arm on the steering box. The pitman arm is a softer material than the steering box shaft...which is hardened!! Then watch all tie rod joints. At the pitman arm, the drag link, both outer joints at the knuckles.
You're looking for movement within the tie rod before it actually starts steering the tires. A properly working tie rod will have no play in it whatsoever. NONE.

#2
The u joints. When the needle bearings become bone dry you can get dead spots within the u joints. A properly working u joint will have a smooth transition while steering no matter where the yokes are positioned.
A dry u joint can become impossible to work by hand. (If the axle was out of the jeep) Obviously your steering is stronger than your hand but you get the idea. When dry you get a really hard transition then it might be really loose. It's no longer a smooth transition over the full u joint turning range.

Your problem lies in one or both of those two areas considering you've been sawing at the steering wheel since forever. Something(s) is sloppy, dry, etc.

Good luck.