4x4 Help

Hello, Im driving a 1998 Gmc seirra 1500 with 4WD. I took it through some mud 2 days ago and while I was in the mud I heard some grinding noises near the front left wheel So after I got out of the mud, I could no longer turn the wheel all the way right or left in 4WD, and it almost acted like the brakes were on.(best way to explain it). What should I start looking for? I know the problem is on the left front, but what should I do? Pull the hub off? Could it be a bad bearing? Any help would be appreciatedointhead

So does it do it if it's not in 4wd? Do you have lockout hubs?

A wheel bearing issue wouldn't affect turning left or right, and a ball joint issue wouldn't affect wheel rotation. So does it make noise when rolling straight ahead (and has the braking action), or noisy when turning only?

Did you check to see that you don't have a bunch of mud and crap jammed up behind the wheel? That could cause all of those problems.

How much mud did you drive around in? Stay out of the mud! It wrecks things!:nono

Paul

Probably cv joint / axle shaft is junk. $75.00 at Napa. Easy to replace. When the CV joint starts to go or fall apart you cant turn the wheel good and it will make a grinding noise.

P Backus said:

So does it do it if it's not in 4wd? Do you have lockout hubs?

A wheel bearing issue wouldn't affect turning left or right, and a ball joint issue wouldn't affect wheel rotation. So does it make noise when rolling straight ahead (and has the braking action), or noisy when turning only?

Did you check to see that you don't have a bunch of mud and crap jammed up behind the wheel? That could cause all of those problems.

How much mud did you drive around in? Stay out of the mud! It wrecks things!:nono

Paul

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Ok, so in 2WD everthing is great, but in 4Wd I cant turn hard without alot of resistance. When I roll straight ahead, yes very quite noises only in 4WD. I went in some deep mud too, but there is no mud stuck behind the wheel! Pulled the wheel off today, and everthing is in place. Nothing noticable just with the wheel off, but I guess tommorow I will have to pull stuff apart. Thanks for the help so far and any more would be great:drinkup

Most likely it is the cv joint. they are difficult to steer when working right and if they are not it can be near impossible. You may have had a bad boot on th joint and this may have allowed the contaminates into the joint tearing it to shreds. at least once every 3-4 months put your truck into 4WD just to make sure everything works and you don't have a problem when you need all 4 wheels most. Don't know if it's true on the newer trucks but on some i have owned if the transfer case isn't shifted to another setting or two a few times a year they are either rough going into 4WD or it's impossible.

Deere, take a look at the boot to see if its ripped. Wiggle the axle shaft with your hand , if it moves its bad. All you have to do to replace it is . Unbolt one end of axle shaft that is bolted to differential. Then remove big nut that is on other end of axle shaft out by wheel. You dont have to remove tire. THen pull shaft out. Depending on year of truck you may have to unbolt stabilizer bar . Which is easy with a 1/2" wrench. Good luck. Takes 20 minutes.

DigDug said:

Deere, take a look at the boot to see if its ripped. Wiggle the axle shaft with your hand , if it moves its bad. All you have to do to replace it is . Unbolt one end of axle shaft that is bolted to differential. Then remove big nut that is on other end of axle shaft out by wheel. You dont have to remove tire. THen pull shaft out. Depending on year of truck you may have to unbolt stabilizer bar . Which is easy with a 1/2" wrench. Good luck. Takes 20 minutes.

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Wow Digdug, thanks for the great advice, I will check it out tommorow after work and post up what I find out. Thanks again:drinkup