Tested out 4WD, now I'm pulling to the left !

[illnastyimpreza]

I just picked up my 96 T100 a couple days ago, and havn't had a chance to test out the 4WD.

I drove down to a nice dirty/muddy place today and did a couple 4wd launches(1 in 4high, 2 in 4 low) while my girlfriend checked to see if the front wheels would spin.

Well, now my steering wheel seems to be turned to the right a little bit while driving straight. And it pulls to the left !

what do you guys think it could be ??? anything serious ?

I just drove home 45 minutes on the highway having to put a decent amount of pressure on the wheel to keep her in a straight line. But we made it home no problems.

[zigzagg321]

Mine does it, but ONLY when in 4wd, the effect goes away as soon as its out of 4wd mode. try it on wet pavement and its far worse. It was explained to me as "something has to give"

[fourwd1]

Originally Posted by illnastyimpreza

...I just drove home 45 minutes on the highway having to put a decent amount of pressure on the wheel to keep her in a straight line. But we made it home no problems.

In 4WD ??

Do you have manual or auto hubs?

[BamZipPow]

You probably bent the link...take some piccies of yer front end and post them up!

[robiewp]

after reading how you tested the 4wd, I recant what I said in the other thread about causes of the pulling. I still defer to bam.

[illnastyimpreza]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

You probably bent the link...take some piccies of yer front end and post them up!

what link are you referring to ?

well I just drove her around the block, switched it in and out of 4wd a couple times. And it seems to work fine now. I will still have to take her out on the highway again to see.

BTW what is the max speed for both 4 high and 4 low ??

[robiewp]

look on your visor. I believe it's 60 4x4, and probably not more than 30 low range.

Low range is just that. Only use at slow speeds.

Avoid using 4x4 on dry pavement.

[illnastyimpreza]

ok well I guess I was not going fast enough to tell.

I put the truck on the road today, and it is DEFINITELY pulling to the left. The wheel is turned to the right, and if you let the wheel go, the truck drifts to the left.

I jacked the truck up and there is a some decent play in the passenger side steering arm that connects to the frame. Is this a part that is easily replacable ???

[knj27]

I doubt you could hit 30 in 4low without doing damage.

[illnastyimpreza]

anyone replace the steering arm that connects to the frame? is this a dealer only part, or is there another place I can get it ?

[BamZipPow]

You could've also banged up the front suspension parts (ball joints/tie rod ends/front bushings). What steering arm are you talking about? The idler arm?

Git some piccies posted...it would really help.

[illnastyimpreza]

well my idler arm was fucking SMOKED. I ended up having my mechanic budy throw a new one on there for 50 + parts. ( I was feeling lazy ) He also balanced and installed my new 07 Tacoma rims & tires.

I also swapped my drivers side rotor because it was INSANELY warped. Holly shit is a brake job complicated on our trucks !

My truck is MUCH smoother driving now... BUT it still pulls to the left !

He told me me inner tie rod end is starting to go as well. Where can I get a good cheap set of tie rod ends? He said I need the sleeve as well.

[NORTY]

I'd say go to a truck dismantler/junkyard for your pitman arm, tie rods, steering stuff. Some "greaseless" heim joints will be dealership items, I think.

Whatever you do, don't "test" your 4 wheel drive system by trying to do a burnout! Look for a hill around your area.

Lastly, don't attempt to do 30mph in low range. That's not what it's for. Low range is good for crawling, that's all it's good for.
You'll also find that going up a 45% grade @ 6,000 rpm is a great way to spin a bearing and throw a rod!