Possible 4x4 Problem/Front End Problem?

[CrunkGoat]

Hey everyone!

have a 2016 1500 slt that I’ve been chasing a strange feeling in the front end, steering feeling heavy and lightly sticking while going around turns (enough that the wheel will not straighten)

While I had the front end jacked up and going through everything I noticed that while in 2wd my front drivers wheel will turn almost an entire rotation before binding then turning my front driveshaft a slight turn before freeing again. Is this normal for the 4wd system in our trucks?

While all 4 wheels are on the ground the front driveshaft will not spin by hand

Can hear the actuator making noise up front when going from 4x4 to 2wd and a short drive around the block confirms in 4wd lock the front is locking (skips on tight turns) and at least partially disengaging with 2wd (no skipping but the issue I said above)

Anybody have any idea what’s going on here because I’m starting to go crazy haha

 

[Burla]

Is that power steering- pump or electric? You have a reservoir? So the hubs are not locked in 2wd and every else is good in 2wd? Go in reverse and hear hubs click when going to 2wd from 4x4?

Those electric ones have some known issues around here, could be steering rack or even battery draw issues if it is electric. Are you on oem battery? If so likely time for a new one, and sand terminals before installing. Rule out battery before moving to steering hard parts.

 

[PoMansRam]

I believe two actuators are in play. The front axle disconnect and and the actuator in the transfer case. It almost sounds like the front axle is staying connected when it shouldn't, but I thought that would throw a code if the dash buttons are in 2wd mode.

 

[Brandon-w]

I had a sticking problem with mine. It was a bad u joint in the intermediate shaft. It was so Bad when turning if I let go of the wheel it would not straighten out. Was quite a feeling the first time it happened to me.

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[huntergreen]

Just a thought, your not in 4wd auto are you ?

 

[CrunkGoat]

Just a thought, your not in 4wd auto are you ?

My truck doesn’t have 4wd auto just 2wd, 4wd lock and 4wd low

 

[CrunkGoat]

I had a sticking problem with mine. It was a bad u joint in the intermediate shaft. It was so Bad when turning if I let go of the wheel it would not straighten out. Was quite a feeling the first time it happened to me.

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That’s where I’m leaning towards with the steering for sure the more I read up on it, can’t see any visible play in the shaft but do hear a clunk if I turn the wheel back and forth very quickly with the truck off but wheel unlocked

 

[Brandon-w]

That’s where I’m leaning towards with the steering for sure the more I read up on it, can’t see any visible play in the shaft but do hear a clunk if I turn the wheel back and forth very quickly with the truck off but wheel unlocked

Any bind or lumping in the joint you'll feel it 10x worse in the wheel.
Bunjee your steering wheel straight so it can't rotate and disconnect this shaft and check.

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