4H for 2 Hours at 65 MPH

1996 Chevrolet Cheyenne
3/4 Ton, 4X4
Extended Cab, Long Box

I drove the highway at 65 MPH for 2 hours, after a long day's work. We had the music on and I totally forgot that it was in 4WD HI. I got home and was backing up while parallel parking when I noticed the truck was binding up bad with the wheel turned both left and right. It doesn't seem to bind when going straight back.

The brakes have been grinding lately indicating it's time for replacement, so I though maybe the rear shoes were jamming in the drum but it seems to be only when I turn the steering wheel in one direction or the other while in reverse.

What am I looking at here?

The binding is just a symptom of the front CV's in 4WD

The binding is just a symptom of the front CV's in 4WD

Thanks,
So are the CVs worn out or can a guy needle some grease into them or...?

I see there are 4 CVs, one on each end of each shaft. I am going to price out a couple of new shafts, and compare that to replacing the CVs on the old shafts. I will check my local APS and compare to online suppliers.
I figure both sides have to be done?... because the binding occurs when backing up left and right.

I don't think replacing them will do anything. The binding is just a symptom that occurs. Low speeds with the wheel turned will cause what you felt.

I don't think replacing them will do anything. The binding is just a symptom that occurs. Low speeds with the wheel turned will cause what you felt. I only feel it in reverse. Is that normal? It feels like the emergency brake is on. Thanks

Had a conversation similar to this on a forum (this one???) a few weeks ago.

It's not the front-axle CVs that are binding, it's a transfer case effect based on the front wheels turning a different radius from the rear wheels.

Odd that you only feel it in reverse. Mine does it forwards and backwards. You're going to be inspecting the brakes anyway; it's worth looking at the rear shoes to see if there's a problem.

In the olden days, the park brake was moderately effective forward, less-so backwards. The drum brakes were of the duo-servo (self-energizing) design, and they energized better forward than backward. My 1/2-ton used twin-leading-shoe brakes in the rear until I crammed a 3/4-ton axle under the back. The bigger axle uses the duo-servo design.

THIS thread:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1148634

I would check all the drive train fluids for condition .

transfer case could be making noise,..