I got my Jeep on the road today, after small amounts of maint. work. Anyhow, I took it for a ride, nice and smooth, around bends, up hills...etc.
I was really happy how it handles, cruises at nice high speeds, around corners, everything is great!...etc.
I did notice when I went into a parking lot up the road from me.
I turned the wheel "Really" tight, to see the turning radius.
I noticed that the front end felt weird, like a binding type of feeling, and a light thumping on the floor. Sort of.
I had it in 2wd, NOT 4wd.
But it was only like 5 mph.
When I am driving normal, and going around bends, it is fine.
Just "very" tight turns at slow speed, like 5-8 mph.. Which I dont even know why I was trying that.
I was told by a friend, that it was normal???
He said Something about the front shafts always turn, and cause that to happen, to not worry?
I never owned a 4wd, so I am not good with this.

 

Though you were in 2wd the front axle still turns since the hubs do not unlock. The front axle shaft U-joints can still bind up.

On another note the XJ has a great turning radius. I did a comparison a couple years ago and was really pretty impressed.

 

Have you checked ujoints?

 

Make/model wheelbase turning radius
99 Jeep Cherokee 101" 17.9'
09 Ford Escape 103" 18.3'
00 Chevy Suburban 130" 21.7'
05 Chevy Cavalier 104" 17.8'
10 Ford Edge 110" 18.8'
01 Hummer 130" 26.5'
97 Geo Metro 93" 15.7'
05 GMC Envoy 113" 18.2'
05 Jeep Liberty 104" 17.9'
08 Toyota FJ 106" 20.9'
05 Toyota 4runner 110" 18.7'

Remember the radius is half of the whole circle....

 

Tony........

its OK.....just park fast!

serious tho.......nothing to fret over....mine does it too!

cpnwrench

 

Don't laugh! But I don't know how to check the u-joints on the axles?
It doesn't look easy to get to them.
I tested the 4WD in a grassy area, and it works great!
It honestly feels like my dads old Ford truck, "years ago", when I forgot to unlock the hubs. LOL
The binding/walking feeling when turning very tight at 5mph, almost didn't worry me, but the thumping sound did. All the front end parts are tight!
No problems there at all.
I did have to tighten the 36mm nut on the shafts, the wheels were slightly loose. I thought it was bad hub bearings, but the nuts needed tightened.

 

Yes, the turning radius is awesome! I have no idea why I was even checking it. I just never owned a Jeep, and was experimenting. LOL

 

I just use a pry bar any try to move the joint, if it moves then its probably needs to be replaced. Also noise from them while turning is another indication


Careful, the quickest way to ruin hub assemblies is having incorrect torque on the hub nut.

 

To check those U-Joints, just get on the ground and stick your hand in there. Try to wiggle it around and LOOK at it. If its busted up, time to pull the tire and replace them. They are EASY to get at, really. You just gotta do it.

My 99 does NOT do this, and Im guessing anyone who says theirs does this has an issue too. When turning, there is NOT supposed to be binding and thumping from the front end. Id guess a U-Joint somewhere too.

 

I had the same problem with my cherokee - owned a 4runner before - it's actually the solid front axle that's tricking you - it's flat - get used to it - no more solid axle's anymore

 

Here is my old renix... Shouldnt sound like this:

 

On the 4 wheel drives I have owned Ford & Dodge all had a wierd feel to steering when wheel was turned hard to the stops right or left at low speed . My 98 does the same a bit just back off wheel a bit on u turns is what works for mine. I think what you feel is pretty normal .