4x4 Front End Wheels Skipping / Problem

cmceleste · Feb 2, 2011

So my 4x4 light hasnt came on in a while but it kicks in. I know of another thread that there is an easy fix.
Anyway the problem that has me guessing is when 4 wheel drive is on and i take a sharp turn, the front end seems to slip. It almost feels as if the wheels are skipping out from underneath. There is also a wobble that goes up into the steering wheel.
Just wondering if anyone has seen / heard of this and or why this might be happening.
Thanks

freeskier93 · Feb 2, 2011

Thats normal because the front and rear drive shafts are locked together.

Noxian · Feb 2, 2011

If its doing that you are probably driving on a surface where you shouldn't have 4x4 on.

freeskier93 · Feb 2, 2011

Noxian said:
If its doing that you are probably driving on a surface where you shouldn't have 4x4 on.

Even on snowy or slippery surfaces if you try to turn really hard it will do it. Sometimes if I turn into my driveway to hard it slips and you basically lose your turning abilities.

Noxian · Feb 2, 2011

freeskier93 said:
Even on snowy or slippery surfaces if you try to turn really hard it will do it. Sometimes if I turn into my driveway to hard it slips and you basically lose your turning abilities.

Thats true but usually only if you are applying power and or turning really hard.

cmceleste · Feb 2, 2011

I only really use it in snowey or slippery situations. Ive been out on the sand on a beach but never really turned hard. Is it a problem that can be fixed or is it something that will always be there? Will it damage anything? I try to avoid sharp turns but sometimes its unavoidable when parking.
Thanks

05TurboS2K · Feb 2, 2011

Shouldn't be a big deal really, mine does it a little in 2wd even, it's just binding mildly.

Noxian · Feb 2, 2011

cmceleste said:
I only really use it in snowey or slippery situations. Ive been out on the sand on a beach but never really turned hard. Is it a problem that can be fixed or is it something that will always be there? Will it damage anything? I try to avoid sharp turns but sometimes its unavoidable when parking.
Thanks

Cant really be fixed, its a downside of the part time 4x4 system that Jeeps have.

The front and rear are locked together using the transfer case and the differentials are left to try to allow once wheel to slip when turning. However it still binds depending on which wheel has the most grip.

If you are 4x4ing and you turn steering hard and applying gas with the wheel spinning it will cause the front to bind more and could break a ujoint on the front axles.

carnage351 · Feb 2, 2011

Some of this is also caused by the fact that the front axles have u joints. When a u joint is at a high angle (like when turning) they do not spin at an even rate. Basically the tire will go fast then slow instead of at a steady rate.

This is why front wheel drive car have CV joints. (Hence the Constant Velocity joint)

4x4 Front End Wheels Skipping / Problem

cmceleste

freeskier93

Noxian

freeskier93

Noxian

cmceleste

05TurboS2K

Noxian

carnage351

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