Something binding up front

[JazzJeep]

I've got a '99 TJ with a 2.5L and 32" tires. This has recently happened to me twice.The first 20-25 minutes of driving it tracks straight but after that it starts pulling to right during acceleration and pulling to left when braking. It feels like something is binding in the front axle (diff or hubs). I lessened the "bound up" feeling by stopping, putting in 4HI reversing for about 10 feet then shifting through 1st and 2nd in 4HI then returning to 2HI. Any suggestions on troubleshooting?

 

[T_Hase89]

Brake calipers hot? ( sign of sticking)

 

[JazzJeep]

They seem fine. Brakes were my first thought but opposite pull between acceleration and braking baffle me.

 

[pagrey]

I'd check your front control arms, maybe the rears too but the 4wd part seems to point to a busted front control arm or mount. Putting the thing in 4wd might be pulling or pushing the front or rear axle back into place.

Edit: more I think about it almost anything up front severely worn out might do that, hub, balljoints, might also look into doing a dry steer test

 

[JazzJeep]

I'd check your front control arms, maybe the rears too but the 4wd part seems to point to a busted front control arm or mount. Putting the thing in 4wd might be pulling or pushing the front or rear axle back into place.

Thanks!

 

[Goatman]

Pull the front driveshaft. What does it do now? That should identify whether it is axle or 4wd system.

 

[JazzJeep]

Pull the front driveshaft. What does it do now? That should identify whether it is axle or 4wd system.

That would certainly help with the troubleshoot! Thanks.

 

[Babygools99]

Seems like your axle is shifting feont to back. Like pagrey said, i would check the bushings in your control arms on the front axle.

 

[reddvltj]

They seem fine. Brakes were my first thought but opposite pull between acceleration and braking baffle me.

The difference in pulling from one side to the other if a stuck caliper was the cause;
If the right side caliper was dragging it would cause a pull to the right under a no braking condition.
Because the right pads have been super heated (most likely glazed) when you apply the brakes the right side no longer has the stopping ability it should so the left brake outperforms it causing a pull to the left.

All that being said, you said there didn't seem to be any abnormal heat so I would be inclined to go with what @pagrey suggested.