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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Front Wheels start "Crimping on sharp turns"
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Question
I have a '94 Grand Cherokee" with full time all wheel drive. When the car is warm (after driving for more than 30 minutes), the front wheels start to crimp ( front wheels "thump") when I make a sharp turn (both direction). My mechanic checked the front axle and the front limited slip differential but they were ok. Any suggestion as to what the potential problem could be? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Art
Art,
Without riding in, or driving the Jeep, it is extremely hard to diagnose this problem. I would start out at a reputable alignment shop, and have them check it out. If they can't find a problem, check out a transmission shop that specializes in 4-wheel drives. Whoever you take the Jeep to, make sure that you have it warmed up, and have the mechanic take a ride with you, so you can show him the problem yourself. This sounds like the front limited slip is grabbing. Actually, I would confirm with someone that you have a limited slip in front. This is not usually the case with full time 4 wheel drive. Another possibility, is that your transfer case is binding causing the front end to engage when it shouldn't.
Carl
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Dear Carl I'd like very much to thank your quick and clear response and clarify that I've done the front aliment and with crossing, balancing all 4 wheels, tires with rims are Ok as the shop, but I didn't use the wheel balancing (wheel on car) your proposal would be useful and I'll do so. Concerning the steering box, the steering box is working well, I didn't receive a hint to define if is worn or not, would you please advice how to check the steering box, and explain how does it affect cause wheel regaling. | ||
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Carl Brandt
Expertise
Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience
40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland.
Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's
Cal 4-Wheel
Corva
UFWDA
Blue Ribbon Coalition
Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics
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