ZJ steering problem..

Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free weekend trip
with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this as an
intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen all the
time.

The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you can feel
the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it almost
impossible to make tight turns..

Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
selected to 4wd..

It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left in
4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the ZJ
should not behave this way.

Any help will be welcomed

Snow...

Snow did pass the time by typing:
> Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free weekend trip
> with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this as an
> intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen all the
> time.
>
> The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you can feel
> the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it almost
> impossible to make tight turns..
>
> Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
> selected to 4wd..
>
> It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left in
> 4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the ZJ
> should not behave this way.

Well, the 93 ZJ with quadratrack doesn't come with a locking or limited slip
front diff but it will act that way if the transfer case fluid is low or old.
How's the fluid level in your transfer case? Should be up to the top fill bolt.
Standard ATF fluid, same as the transmission.

Also check the CV boots for rips and the power steering fluid

--
DougW

Just a quick add-on,, while out checking a couple things quickly as
darkness arrived I did notice the from diff cover was extremely hot and the
rear diff cover was warm.

Thanks Doug, I'll check the t-case and let you know about the level, I did
notice that the t-case looks wet but this might be due to some puddles
earlier in the drive home from the in-laws.
As for the cv-boots they're both fine (6 months old) and 2 garages looked at
them in the past 2 weeks ( wheel alignment and hub change.. steering
problem existed prior to this work, was hoping this work would get rid of
the problem).


Snow...
"DougW" > wrote in message
news:%T%Xf.9696$FD4.8433@dukeread07...
> Snow did pass the time by typing:
>> Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free weekend
>> trip
>> with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this as an
>> intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen all
>> the
>> time.
>>
>> The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you can
>> feel
>> the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it almost
>> impossible to make tight turns..
>>
>> Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
>> selected to 4wd..
>>
>> It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left in
>> 4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the ZJ
>> should not behave this way.
>
> Well, the 93 ZJ with quadratrack doesn't come with a locking or limited
> slip
> front diff but it will act that way if the transfer case fluid is low or
> old.
> How's the fluid level in your transfer case? Should be up to the top fill
> bolt.
> Standard ATF fluid, same as the transmission.
>
> Also check the CV boots for rips and the power steering fluid
>
> --
> DougW
>
>
>
>

Has anyone checked the fluid in the front differential?

The front output shaft is operated by a drive chain that connects the shaft
to a drive sprocket on the mainshaft. The drive sprocket is
engaged/disengaged by the mode fork, which operates the mode sleeve and hub.

I'll send you some info.


"Snow" > wrote in message
...
> Just a quick add-on,, while out checking a couple things quickly as
> darkness arrived I did notice the from diff cover was extremely hot and
> the rear diff cover was warm.
>
> Thanks Doug, I'll check the t-case and let you know about the level, I did
> notice that the t-case looks wet but this might be due to some puddles
> earlier in the drive home from the in-laws.
> As for the cv-boots they're both fine (6 months old) and 2 garages looked
> at them in the past 2 weeks ( wheel alignment and hub change.. steering
> problem existed prior to this work, was hoping this work would get rid of
> the problem).
>
>
> Snow...
> "DougW" > wrote in message
> news:%T%Xf.9696$FD4.8433@dukeread07...
>> Snow did pass the time by typing:
>>> Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free weekend
>>> trip
>>> with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this as
>>> an
>>> intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen all
>>> the
>>> time.
>>>
>>> The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you can
>>> feel
>>> the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it
>>> almost
>>> impossible to make tight turns..
>>>
>>> Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
>>> selected to 4wd..
>>>
>>> It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left in
>>> 4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the ZJ
>>> should not behave this way.
>>
>> Well, the 93 ZJ with quadratrack doesn't come with a locking or limited
>> slip
>> front diff but it will act that way if the transfer case fluid is low or
>> old.
>> How's the fluid level in your transfer case? Should be up to the top
>> fill bolt.
>> Standard ATF fluid, same as the transmission.
>>
>> Also check the CV boots for rips and the power steering fluid
>>
>> --
>> DougW
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

last I checked (5-6 months ago) , the level was good.

Snow...

"billy ray" > wrote in message
...
> Has anyone checked the fluid in the front differential?
>
> The front output shaft is operated by a drive chain that connects the
> shaft
> to a drive sprocket on the mainshaft. The drive sprocket is
> engaged/disengaged by the mode fork, which operates the mode sleeve and
> hub.
>
> I'll send you some info.
>
>
> "Snow" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Just a quick add-on,, while out checking a couple things quickly as
>> darkness arrived I did notice the from diff cover was extremely hot and
>> the rear diff cover was warm.
>>
>> Thanks Doug, I'll check the t-case and let you know about the level, I
>> did
>> notice that the t-case looks wet but this might be due to some puddles
>> earlier in the drive home from the in-laws.
>> As for the cv-boots they're both fine (6 months old) and 2 garages looked
>> at them in the past 2 weeks ( wheel alignment and hub change.. steering
>> problem existed prior to this work, was hoping this work would get rid of
>> the problem).
>>
>>
>> Snow...
>> "DougW" > wrote in message
>> news:%T%Xf.9696$FD4.8433@dukeread07...
>>> Snow did pass the time by typing:
>>>> Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free weekend
>>>> trip
>>>> with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this as
>>>> an
>>>> intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen
>>>> all
>>>> the
>>>> time.
>>>>
>>>> The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you can
>>>> feel
>>>> the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it
>>>> almost
>>>> impossible to make tight turns..
>>>>
>>>> Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
>>>> selected to 4wd..
>>>>
>>>> It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left in
>>>> 4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the ZJ
>>>> should not behave this way.
>>>
>>> Well, the 93 ZJ with quadratrack doesn't come with a locking or limited
>>> slip
>>> front diff but it will act that way if the transfer case fluid is low or
>>> old.
>>> How's the fluid level in your transfer case? Should be up to the top
>>> fill bolt.
>>> Standard ATF fluid, same as the transmission.
>>>
>>> Also check the CV boots for rips and the power steering fluid
>>>
>>> --
>>> DougW
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

Do you have Selec-Trac or QuadraTrac ?

"Snow" > wrote in message
...
> last I checked (5-6 months ago) , the level was good.
>
> Snow...
>
> "billy ray" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Has anyone checked the fluid in the front differential?
>>
>> The front output shaft is operated by a drive chain that connects the
>> shaft
>> to a drive sprocket on the mainshaft. The drive sprocket is
>> engaged/disengaged by the mode fork, which operates the mode sleeve and
>> hub.
>>
>> I'll send you some info.
>>
>>
>> "Snow" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Just a quick add-on,, while out checking a couple things quickly as
>>> darkness arrived I did notice the from diff cover was extremely hot and
>>> the rear diff cover was warm.
>>>
>>> Thanks Doug, I'll check the t-case and let you know about the level, I
>>> did
>>> notice that the t-case looks wet but this might be due to some puddles
>>> earlier in the drive home from the in-laws.
>>> As for the cv-boots they're both fine (6 months old) and 2 garages
>>> looked
>>> at them in the past 2 weeks ( wheel alignment and hub change.. steering
>>> problem existed prior to this work, was hoping this work would get rid
>>> of
>>> the problem).
>>>
>>>
>>> Snow...
>>> "DougW" > wrote in message
>>> news:%T%Xf.9696$FD4.8433@dukeread07...
>>>> Snow did pass the time by typing:
>>>>> Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free
>>>>> weekend
>>>>> trip
>>>>> with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this as
>>>>> an
>>>>> intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen
>>>>> all
>>>>> the
>>>>> time.
>>>>>
>>>>> The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you
>>>>> can
>>>>> feel
>>>>> the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it
>>>>> almost
>>>>> impossible to make tight turns..
>>>>>
>>>>> Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
>>>>> selected to 4wd..
>>>>>
>>>>> It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left
>>>>> in
>>>>> 4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the ZJ
>>>>> should not behave this way.
>>>>
>>>> Well, the 93 ZJ with quadratrack doesn't come with a locking or limited
>>>> slip
>>>> front diff but it will act that way if the transfer case fluid is low
>>>> or
>>>> old.
>>>> How's the fluid level in your transfer case? Should be up to the top
>>>> fill bolt.
>>>> Standard ATF fluid, same as the transmission.
>>>>
>>>> Also check the CV boots for rips and the power steering fluid
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> DougW
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

Quadra-Trac I believe.. shifter has 4 wheel full-time and 4 wheel low.

Snow...

"billy ray" > wrote in message
...
> Do you have Selec-Trac or QuadraTrac ?
>
> "Snow" > wrote in message
> ...
>> last I checked (5-6 months ago) , the level was good.
>>
>> Snow...
>>
>> "billy ray" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Has anyone checked the fluid in the front differential?
>>>
>>> The front output shaft is operated by a drive chain that connects the
>>> shaft
>>> to a drive sprocket on the mainshaft. The drive sprocket is
>>> engaged/disengaged by the mode fork, which operates the mode sleeve and
>>> hub.
>>>
>>> I'll send you some info.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Snow" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Just a quick add-on,, while out checking a couple things quickly as
>>>> darkness arrived I did notice the from diff cover was extremely hot and
>>>> the rear diff cover was warm.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks Doug, I'll check the t-case and let you know about the level, I
>>>> did
>>>> notice that the t-case looks wet but this might be due to some puddles
>>>> earlier in the drive home from the in-laws.
>>>> As for the cv-boots they're both fine (6 months old) and 2 garages
>>>> looked
>>>> at them in the past 2 weeks ( wheel alignment and hub change..
>>>> steering
>>>> problem existed prior to this work, was hoping this work would get rid
>>>> of
>>>> the problem).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Snow...
>>>> "DougW" > wrote in message
>>>> news:%T%Xf.9696$FD4.8433@dukeread07...
>>>>> Snow did pass the time by typing:
>>>>>> Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free
>>>>>> weekend
>>>>>> trip
>>>>>> with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this
>>>>>> as
>>>>>> an
>>>>>> intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen
>>>>>> all
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> time.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you
>>>>>> can
>>>>>> feel
>>>>>> the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it
>>>>>> almost
>>>>>> impossible to make tight turns..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
>>>>>> selected to 4wd..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> 4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the
>>>>>> ZJ
>>>>>> should not behave this way.
>>>>>
>>>>> Well, the 93 ZJ with quadratrack doesn't come with a locking or
>>>>> limited
>>>>> slip
>>>>> front diff but it will act that way if the transfer case fluid is low
>>>>> or
>>>>> old.
>>>>> How's the fluid level in your transfer case? Should be up to the top
>>>>> fill bolt.
>>>>> Standard ATF fluid, same as the transmission.
>>>>>
>>>>> Also check the CV boots for rips and the power steering fluid
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> DougW
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Your complaint seems to be common. There seems to be an issue with the
center differential....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Snow wrote:
>
> Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free weekend trip
> with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this as an
> intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen all the
> time.
>
> The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you can feel
> the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it almost
> impossible to make tight turns..
>
> Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
> selected to 4wd..
>
> It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left in
> 4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the ZJ
> should not behave this way.
>
> Any help will be welcomed
>
> Snow...

Well I found the front diff fluid was dark and stinky (like old burnt fluid)
so I changed that today, next I'll be checking / changing the t-case fluid..
anyone know off hand what size the plugs are on the t-case? Other then
being metric.

Snow...


"Snow" > wrote in message
...
> Ok well after what I was hoping to be a completely problem free weekend
> trip with the ZJ, It NOW has a problem... well it has slightly had this
> as an intermittent problem for awhile but this weekend it seemed to happen
> all the time.
>
> The problem: when turning in parking lots or at slow speeds, you can
> feel the front wheels binding (unless they can slip on sand), making it
> almost impossible to make tight turns..
>
> Before someone asks... it's a 93 ZJ with "full time 4wd", so yes its
> selected to 4wd..
>
> It behaves just like my (soon to be retired) XJ does when it is left in
> 4wheel high and driven on dry surfaces. Which as far as I know the ZJ
> should not behave this way.
>
> Any help will be welcomed
>
> Snow...
>

Snow did pass the time by typing:
> Well I found the front diff fluid was dark and stinky (like old burnt fluid)
> so I changed that today, next I'll be checking / changing the t-case fluid..
> anyone know off hand what size the plugs are on the t-case? Other then
> being metric.

"BIG" 1 3/16 inch specialty socket from Strap-On ..er.. Snap-On. :]
is what I use (probably metric but it fits well enough)

Changing fluid is semi-simple.

While your out buying two quarts of fluid get a 2ft piece of
clear 1/4" id plastic hose. (instructions later)

1) put pan under the lower bolt, on top of a lot of paper or a larger tub
if it's windy.

2) loosen both bolts and then remove the bottom
one first, carefully so the atf doesn't blast
all over you. By the way, if you take the
top fill bolt out first it's just like shotgunning
a beer.....mmmm..beer...

3) replace lower plug and wipe up the mess, wring out your t-shirt..etc.

now to get that fluid to run up-hill....

Now for that bit of clear hose.
take the cap off and poke a hole in it slightly smaller than
the hose. Your going to thread the hose through that hole and
down into the bottle so you can squeeze the bottle and force the
fluid up the hose. Save this doodad, it comes in handy and
you can cap off the remaining fluid with a golf-T or bolt.

4) once fluid comes out the top hole, your done. put the
plug back in and wipe up the mess.

1.6 quarts, Mopar ATF Plus/Type 7176/ Dexron II or compatible.

The plugs go to 35 ft.lbs

--
DougW