94 turning problems

[RiderAng]

We got a 1994 v8 4WD-full-time from a family member who had let it sit unmoved for 2 years. The axles are probably warped from sitting, and when we first drove it the back end blew out within an hour, so it has been replaced. But the front end also has problems... when it's cold it's fine but after driving a little while you have to make wide turns because if you turn tightly it feels like it's "binding up" and turns roughly. We're guessing that the gears in the differential are heating up and expanding making the gears harder to turn?

Then driving today there was a loud CLUNK, and after putting it in park it started to roll down the driveway! It's cold and wet outside today so we haven't looked underneath yet. Could it possibly be the chain inside the front transfer case broke or what other problems could it be? What are the possibilities?

[JDPascal]

Originally Posted by RiderAng

We got a 1994 v8 4WD-full-time from a family member who had let it sit unmoved for 2 years. The axles are probably warped from sitting, and when we first drove it the back end blew out within an hour, so it has been replaced. But the front end also has problems... when it's cold it's fine but after driving a little while you have to make wide turns because if you turn tightly it feels like it's "binding up" and turns roughly. We're guessing that the gears in the differential are heating up and expanding making the gears harder to turn?

This is quite likely the viscous coupler in the transfer case. It probably has nothing to do with sitting for that long but This is a common problem in that particular transfer case (np 249).

I would go thru it and have all the fluids changed and inspected to find what condition things are in. The transfer case takes about 1.5 qts of ATF. Change it out to a synthetic ATF and see if that makes a difference to the "binding" (better cooling and less friction). If not, the VC can be changed without removing the transfer case.

Originally Posted by RiderAng

Then driving today there was a loud CLUNK, and after putting it in park it started to roll down the driveway! It's cold and wet outside today so we haven't looked underneath yet. Could it possibly be the chain inside the front transfer case broke or what other problems could it be? What are the possibilities?

Could be the chain but they don't break that often. I would look at the transfer case shifter to see if it slipped into neutral.

Just some preliminary checks before you jump into something major.

JD