Steering, Suspension & Drivetrain Questions about your steering, suspension, axles, and/or transfer case? Post up here.

Very dangerous situation

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 02-10-2014, 11:35 AM
lityjohn701's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 115
lityjohn701 is on a distinguished road
Default Very dangerous situation

So it's been snowing a lot and I've been getting the blazer out a lot because of it. But I have a serious issue. I have maybe 2-3 inches of play in my steering. But when the blazer is in 4x4 and I get on dry pavement the steering starts jerking around everywhere. I almost hit a car head on because of this. And when I put it back in 2wd it stopped. I have no idea whet to do. When it happened I heard a pop in the front passengers side. But on snow it goes straight in 4x4? I'm kinda scared to drive it now. Any ideas?
 
  #2  
Old 02-10-2014, 11:41 AM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,137
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

When turning, the wheels are all travelling at different speeds. With 4wd locked in, the front and rear axles are locked together which will cause noticeable binding of the drivetrain when turning on high traction surfaces. You should always disengage 4wd when the roads clear up or risk damage to the drivetrain.
 
  #3  
Old 02-10-2014, 12:18 PM
lityjohn701's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 115
lityjohn701 is on a distinguished road
Default

No not while Turning. Like the other day for example. My road was ice and the main road was clear. I had it in 4x4 up to the road. I tired in the main road which wAs clear. Going straight my steering started jerking around like crazy. Uncontrollably. I almost wrecked. But it was going straight. After I turned on the main road it's straight. So could it be an alignment issue or something?
 
  #4  
Old 02-10-2014, 12:52 PM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,137
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

How fast were you going when this was happening? It sounds like you may have excessive slop in the steering components (pitman arm, idler arm, tie rod ends).
 
  #5  
Old 02-10-2014, 12:57 PM
lityjohn701's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 115
lityjohn701 is on a distinguished road
Default

Maybe 10 or 15 mph
 
  #6  
Old 02-10-2014, 01:36 PM
swartlkk's Avatar
Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Waterloo, NY
Posts: 41,137
swartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond reputeswartlkk has a reputation beyond repute
Default

It wouldn't hurt to do a full inspection of the steering system. 10-15mph isn't really fast though...

When you drive forward on slippery surfaces with it in 4wd, do you notice one or more of the wheels skidding at all?
 
  #7  
Old 02-10-2014, 02:17 PM
rockp2's Avatar
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,132
rockp2 will become famous soon enough
Default

Another question...are all 4 of your tires the same? (brand, size, etc). If they are the same, is there significant tread wear on one more then the others?
 
  #8  
Old 02-10-2014, 08:54 PM
lityjohn701's Avatar
Starting Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 115
lityjohn701 is on a distinguished road
Default

All the tires are procomp extreme a/ts with normal wear. In snow I don't really feel like its skids... It may a little. It kinda has the same feeling with the steering a only very less erratic. On snow it's almost like driving normal. On the dry pavement iits deadly
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Crazyc775
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
16
10-09-2012 11:13 AM
zedartwo
The Lounge
18
03-25-2010 01:06 AM
vze4yrte
2nd Generation S-series (1995-2005) Tech
11
03-16-2010 11:25 PM
88hurstolds
1st Generation S-series (1983-1994) Tech
2
02-26-2009 09:41 PM
EuroGoldLS
General Chat
45
11-05-2007 08:29 PM



Quick Reply: Very dangerous situation



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:25 PM.