Front Right Tire Drags in 4WD

[Mxxnt Zion]

Here’s the backstory to get everyone up to speed on my situation! If your straight to the problem type scroll down! I purchased a 2005 Jeep Wrangler for my first Jeep and first 4WD car this July in preparation for Winter. I drive this Jeep as a daily from college and work to home and on one of these drives it locked up whilst stopped at a light. I had it towed and it was diagnosed as a faulty rear end. They replaced my rear end and it was drivable once again. Now that winter is here...

This is my problem: When engaging 4WD in H or L the front right tire seems to drag and in order to keep the car straight on the road I must keep the wheel turned left in order to compensate for the drag. When returning to 2WD the dragging continues until I reach 3rd-4th gear. The front right tire sounds as though it is breaking free with a spray of snow to go with it and the car resumes normal functions. This issue only happens in 4WD.

Any help on this issue would be much appreciated! I’m not super familiar with the mechanics of 4WD!

 

[Chris]

It sounds to me like something is binding then. I would take apart the right side axle, remove the hub, shaft, etc, and see if you notice anything. If anything looks suspicious, you can post pictures. I would suspect it's something as simple as a binding u-joint, which would be an easy fix.

 

[AndyG]

It’s most likely been regeared , and the front is close to doing what the back did , as the same mastermind probably did both .

you need to stop driving it and get it torn down ASAP.

 

[Daryl]

When they replaced the rear axle assembly, did they make certain to get one with the same gear ratio?

 

[Airjunky]

Yea, sounds like you have different gears in front than the rear. If you don't know what gear ratio they are, you can jack the wheels up off the ground, turn the wheel by hand & count the revolutions of the drive shaft. They should be the same.

 

[Goatman]

What happens if when shifting back to 2wd you go in reverse for 5-10 ft? If it's a gear ratio problem then that should release the "dragging" and allow an event free transfer shift.
I don't know what you mean about throwing snow. Do you mean literally throwing snow? Like a bunch of snow got stuck in the wheel? I am not poking fun. I haven't heard this term before to describe a dragging or binding issue.

 

[Mxxnt Zion]

I’ve taken it in and replaced the front diff so that it matches the rear and we’ve also replaced the passenger front hub. However the issue with the dragging still persists. Only in 4WD does it begin to drag. Side note: I meant the force of the binding or whatever it is breaking free literally sprays snow. Looking into it now with mechanic