4wd pulls side to side

[edicer2]

Hi all,

 

We recently got an inch of snow and it rain prior to that so the road were like glare ice. Anyways I was driving to work and i put the pathy (92 se 4x4) in 4wd and I for the life of me could not drive straight. I had to keep turning the wheel pretty much from side to side just to go straight. It only had the problem when i had was giving it gas it would drive straight when i was coasting. I started to go up a hill and I had to turn the wheel from left to right and normally at the angle i had to have the steering wheel(1/8 turned) to go stright i would of been up over a curb right away.

 

This is what has all been done within the last 3k miles.

4 ball joint

4 tre

center link

1 new front axle

4 shocks (rancho)

new calipers

brake pads

new brake lines

ac uca

ac 3" springs

cranked tbars

 

 

 

stuff i think might cause it

slightly lower air pressure in driver side front tire(has a small leak forgot to check pressure before leaving)

poor alignment after lift (going to get fixed when i get new tires in a week)

 

 

It was bad though I couldnt keep it going straight unless i let off the gas. I also was driving up a hill and it seemed to pull more side to side and when i would let off the gas it would turn swerve hard to the right more and then I would give it gas and it would start pulling to the left and then shortly after that back to the right but not as bad.

 

 

hopefully this wasnt to hard to read.

[1994SEV6]

I'm pretty sure your tire pressure is innocent with this issue.

 

Are you sure both of your hubs are engaging?

[edicer2]

i also have auto hubs

 

 

I am not sure i didnt have time to check i just noticed this one my way to work.

 

If we still have snow when i am off work i will see if it does it again. what is a good way to test if the hub is locked in?

Edited December 30, 2011 by edicer2

[1994SEV6]

Here's something I did.

 

Jack up the front end. Put your t-case in neutral. Spin your secondary drive shaft by hand. Since the front diff is open, both wheels might not spin. One wheel will lock and you will see it move. If the other wheel doesn't lock then try turning the cv shaft by hand.

If it still doesn't lock then you might have a problem. Another way to see would be to put it in 4wd, drive it a few feet, then Jack it up. By that time, the hubs should definitely be locked.

[unccpathfinder]

That sounds like it's in "2wd" BC if one auto hub is broken the other more than likely won't do anything since with an open differential will spin at the path of least resistance (one wheel off the ground or auto hub not engaging)

 

The reason u would then get the side to side if that's the case is BC the rear is most likely open so essentially you are in 1wd...just counter steer and be light on the gas

[edicer2]

yeah i have lsd in rear end but anyway i DID notice a difference when i had it in 4 vs not in 4...I need new tires mine are like racing slicks ha so i dont move hardly in 2wd but when i put it in 4x4 it grips and goes like its on dry pavement but was pulling all over the place. But i think you guys are right its either a broken hub not functioning in the front or the alignment (which is really bad). I will try it again at lunch and see how it.

Edited December 30, 2011 by edicer2

[nismothunder]

A sticky hub or tires. Mine would go side ways in 4hi with bald tires on slush like nothing.

[edicer2]

yeah thats what im in is 4 high and the tires arent that good i have new ones ordered hence why i am waiting for the alignment. I might just buy new manual hubs too i gues while im at it and get rid of this problem for sure.

[silverton]

It's your alignment. Wheels being pointed in different directions make the truck not want to go straight and you have to constantly saw the wheel to stay straight.

[silverton]

Just to add to the topic, you don't notice it so much in 2wd because the wheels aren't being driven. Once being driven they want to go where they are pointed, and if it's not the same direction, you're going to be fighting them constantly.

[edicer2]

that makes sense it was fine the first time it snowed only thing that has really changed since then is the lift which messed my alingment off pretty bad.

[silverton]

A worn out center link will present the same symptoms, but since you said you replaced that, only the jacked alignment is left as a culprit.

[edicer2]

yeah i replaced every bushing and joint i could when i had it appart only left was a ball bearing that i didnt replace so i was hoping all those parts didnt wear out again ha only beed 3-4 months!

[nunya]

It's your alignment. Wheels being pointed in different directions make the truck not want to go straight and you have to constantly saw the wheel to stay straight.

x2 Right here is most likely your issue as mine does the exact same thing because of this.

[edicer2]

Alright cool ill have to align it when i get the new tires on here in ina week...have to wait for them to get here ha. Thanks for the help guys!

[unccpathfinder]

I don't think its alignment...I have all sorts of issues on dry pavement with bad geometry...alignment can always help but slicks in wet or snow can give u more.issues than alignemt...if it drives good on dry I bet it's tires more than alignment

[unccpathfinder]

My truck can wonder on a bump dry pavement t 1-3 feet...wet is ugly at least a lane if I'm not on the wheel but that's all bent geometry...I want someone to try to steal it sometimes when i got it idling so i can kick their ass once they wreck it 10' later if they don't stall It and can't figure out how to refire

[nunya]

manual transmission... the ultimate anti-theft device

[1994SEV6]

manual transmission... the ultimate anti-theft device

it's awesome and pathetic at the same time.

[silverton]

I don't think its alignment...I have all sorts of issues on dry pavement with bad geometry...alignment can always help but slicks in wet or snow can give u more.issues than alignemt...if it drives good on dry I bet it's tires more than alignment

 

 

You'd be surprised. My truck with a worn to fuuuuck center link wanders like crazy on snow/ice. But feels normal, except for the usual center-link set-up bump-steer, on a dry street. And I have my toe/camber spot on.

[unccpathfinder]

manual transmission... the ultimate anti-theft device

 

Yea...I just want one time to have someone jump in and then see their face and them jump out...I litererally am the only person that can drive my truck...others have tried and were scared @!*%less in less than 200 ft

 

But yea id start with tires and alignment and if u put manual hubs on u will be Good to go unless u have some rear link bushings wore out