2021 Willys Gladiator lurching and crab walking in 4WD

[Doc 69]

I purchased a 2021 Willys Gladiator after my 1970 Chevy C/K20 decided to retire and was doing some work in my yard. Because I didn't want to tear up the grass I put it in 4H and when I was backing up and going forward to get out to the driveway, it lurched and felt like it was trying to lock up.
When my Chevy acted like that it was time to replace the front U joints, I had the local dealer look at it and was told everything was fine, and that it was just looking for ice or snow to grab onto. It was in the yard with grass which was slick enough to simulate a snowy or icy environment.
Was I conned or has the 4WD world changed that much, I still think I need to replace the front U joints.

Sponsored

 

[DylanM]

It's easy enough to check for play in the front axle joints if you feel they are in need of replacement, but I'd bet the most likely explanation is you had more traction available that you thought you did, and what you experienced was typical driveline bind of the part time 4WD as a result.

 

[danimal2000]

Sounds like normal bind to me. I have same, 21 willys. Coming out of the garage in the winter with a hard right turn (into an alley, no driveway) if there's more traction than I thought, like snow or ice isn't as slick as the night before, I get the same lurching. Then coming out of the alley, feels normal as there's always ice down the block in the winter where the snow melt pools and later freezes.

Maybe just a longer 4wd wheelbase than you're used to. Never felt that in my old liberty that had part time 4wd, but obviously much shorter wheelbase

 

[Doc 69]

It's easy enough to check for play in the front axle joints if you feel they are in need of replacement, but I'd bet the most likely explanation is you had more traction available that you thought you did, and what you experienced was typical driveline bind of the part time 4WD as a result.

Dylan,
Thank you for the input, I'll wait until winter and see if it still is a problem.

 

[Doc 69]

Sounds like normal bind to me. I have same, 21 willys. Coming out of the garage in the winter with a hard right turn (into an alley, no driveway) if there's more traction than I thought, like snow or ice isn't as slick as the night before, I get the same lurching. Then coming out of the alley, feels normal as there's always ice down the block in the winter where the snow melt pools and later freezes.

Maybe just a longer 4wd wheelbase than you're used to. Never felt that in my old liberty that had part time 4wd, but obviously much shorter wheelbase

Danimal2000,
Thanks for the info, It just doesn't feel normal, wondering what will happen in an emergency situation when a hard turn is needed.

 

[legacy_etu]

I purchased a 2021 Willys Gladiator after my 1970 Chevy C/K20 decided to retire and was doing some work in my yard. Because I didn't want to tear up the grass I put it in 4H and when I was backing up and going forward to get out to the driveway, it lurched and felt like it was trying to lock up.
When my Chevy acted like that it was time to replace the front U joints, I had the local dealer look at it and was told everything was fine, and that it was just looking for ice or snow to grab onto. It was in the yard with grass which was slick enough to simulate a snowy or icy environment.
Was I conned or has the 4WD world changed that much, I still think I need to replace the front U joints.

Not sure how much steering lock you were putting into it (if any) but I find my Mojave binds up with relatively little angle put into the wheel. My JK I can turn quite a bit further before she will start to bind.

 

[Trailman]

Crow Hop is worse in the JT than any vehicle I've had previously. I talked to a 4x4 shop about putting on RCV axles to get rid of it and they talked me out of it. Basically they said just live with the crow hop and don't worry about it, it isn't hurting anything.

 

[Gvsukids]

Was I conned or has the 4WD world changed that much, I still think I need to replace the front U joints.

Try another dealership if you want a second opinion. The electric Hummer crab walks, you will have to work hard to break the ball joints.

 

[jac04]

... wondering what will happen in an emergency situation when a hard turn is needed.

Unfortunately, part-time 4WD locks the front & rear driveshafts together. So, in an emergency situation in 4WD in slippery conditions, who knows what will happen.

Selec-Trac was an option, and it is Jeep's version of all wheel drive (which also includes CV front axles), but not too many JTs appear to have it. I have it on my JTM, and it works just about as well as any AWD vehicle that I've ever driven.

 

[J6- Bucket Build]

I personally would check axle ratios, could you have different gears? I’ve had many jeeps and other 4x4s posi lockers welded and only had crow hop on solid gravel or pavement usually loose slick stuff is pretty smooth. If you know the vehicle since new less chance of that , possible limited slip is locked up also

 

[Doc 69]

Thanks everybody for all the input, l'll just have to wait until the snow and ice hits to see how the Gladiator acts then, for now from the sounds of things I'll just live with it, I only use 4WD this time of year if happen to hit a mud hole or going up old half washed out mining roads anyway.

Sponsored