98 Silverado front end issue.

I have a 98 Silverado with 130,000 Km's on it. Last night I went for a drive and had to make a really tight turn in a parking lot and the front end of my truck started to almost hop around the turn radius. It felt as if the 4wd was engaged. I had a buddy drive the truck for me and I stood outside and watched the truck. Turning both left and right in a very tight arc the outside wheel seemed to hop/skip a little. Lately I have also noticed a slight vibration and more noise while driving down the road.

I took it to the shop today and was told that I may have bad ball joints. I am not too sure if that would cause the symptoms that I am experiencing though.

I was wondering if it is possible that the 4wd didn't disengage completely last time I used it. I have done a little research on the net and have found that there is a shift solenoid that is prone to failure on these truck. Could that be a possibility?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

get it in some dirt or gravel and romp it and see if two wheels spin or all four spin.it could be in four wheel drive and saying it is in two wheel drive.get some one to spot for you as you romp it. the solenoid could have went out.as for the ball joints jack it up and put a board under the tire and push up and in at the same time if the tire moves in or out at the top then balljoints are shot and could break and let the tire fall on its side any time.

Well I took your advice this morning and went and ripped it up in some dirt. The front wheels are not being powered at all. So I would assume that it is not in 4 wheel drive. Is it possible for them to still be engaged and not being turned by the transfer case? I really don't have any experience with 4wd systems as this is my first truck.

well if it ain't if the front end ain't pulling then it was just the tight turn you had it in. it was too tight for the front end too turn and the tires had to give on the turn.

Thanks for all the help. Brought the truck in today and the only problem they found was a worn out tie rod end. Other than that the front end is solid.

You are probably right with the tight turn comment. Plus I am running shitty tires as well so it can all contribute.