Front end binding when accelerating in 4wd hi or Lo

[Richard Payan]

Hi guys im having a weird problem with my tahoe it has 335k i dont remember when and how the problem started but when i put it in 4wd hi or lo my front end startes jerking. Its like if both my front wheels turn in at the same time I already got my differential rebuilt for the same reason. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Scottydoggs]

if your testing the 4wd out on dry ground thats pretty normal. you need some snow or mud or loose ground to not really feel it jerking the truck about.

 

[Richard Payan]

if your testing the 4wd out on dry ground thats pretty normal. you need some snow or mud or loose ground to not really feel it jerking the truck about.

Hey thanks for the feedback but if you come to a complete stop and you see both front tires pointing inboard its normal?

 

[swathdiver]

Hey thanks for the feedback but if you come to a complete stop and you see both front tires pointing inboard its normal?

Does this happen on soft ground or hard?

 

[Richard Payan]

It happens on hard ground but ive tried driving it hard ground before and it never drove like that.

 

[Fless]

Any frontend work done lately?

WAG: check the orientation of your center link (as posted by @SnowDrifter):

Scrubbing/binding while turning at near full lock

Make that 3 of us with the same issues! Mine is an 04 4wd and it scrubs & hops when turning. I've experienced the same problem with holding an alignment, it goes out fairly quickly and I've been told by multiple shops that everything is tight. I don't think everything is tight, as I have a...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

 

[swathdiver]

It happens on hard ground but ive tried driving it hard ground before and it never drove like that.

My suspension and steering is different than yours but she bucks and protests when driven in 4WD on hard ground, always has.

 

[B-train]

If your tires point to each other, you have a steering component issue. With 335k on her, check out tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm, pitman arm, and center link. These can all be checked with a floor jack, a prybar and fulcrum (ball joints), and by wiggling the tire back and forth (right/left) and looking for play. If it's that bad, it should be obvious.

Also to note, are all 4 tires the same size, brand, and pressure. Are they worn evenly? If the other stuff checks out, swap spots on 1 side front to rear to eliminate unequal rolling diameter

 

[Richard Payan]

Any frontend work done lately?

WAG: check the orientation of your center link (as posted by @SnowDrifter):

Scrubbing/binding while turning at near full lock

Make that 3 of us with the same issues! Mine is an 04 4wd and it scrubs & hops when turning. I've experienced the same problem with holding an alignment, it goes out fairly quickly and I've been told by multiple shops that everything is tight. I don't think everything is tight, as I have a...

www.tahoeyukonforum.com

I tried replacing my axle seals and i put it back together and thats when the problem appeared and after i found out that i took my diff off to get it rebuilt since my frint diff actuator wasnt engaging anymore. But it got rebuilt and problem still remains.

 

[Richard Payan]

If your tires point to each other, you have a steering component issue. With 335k on her, check out tie rod ends, ball joints, idler arm, pitman arm, and center link. These can all be checked with a floor jack, a prybar and fulcrum (ball joints), and by wiggling the tire back and forth (right/left) and looking for play. If it's that bad, it should be obvious.

Also to note, are all 4 tires the same size, brand, and pressure. Are they worn evenly? If the other stuff checks out, swap spots on 1 side front to rear to eliminate unequal rolling diameter

i replaced all my front end components a while back not the oem so they should have around 100k on them or less but i will check everything whenever i get a chance i have a 30hour drive trip this spring need it ready soon.