Front wheels locked

[egh33]

Yesterday I was towing my Jeep Wrangler (4 wheel drive standard) behind the Motor Home Same as I have done for 12 years. And the front
wheels locked tight, before I could get stopped & off the road way it had skidded the tires all the way to the rims. I had the Jeep transmission in 2nd gear and the transfer case in neutral just as the book says to do. The dealer had no idea what may have caused it. Any else ever had this problem??

[navegator]

If the transfer case and the front locks are electrical or electronically controled check that also, I had a Mitsubishi that the front locks where electrically engaged by a solenoid via the 4 wheel lever never had a problem until one day when I accidentally left the transfer lever in neutral and the front locks worked, I found out from the heat of the front pumpkin did not lock so was lucky.

navegator

[Ductape]

Maybe a sticky front caliper combined with old brake fluid. Overheated fluid can boil if it has too much moisture contamination. If so would expect some signs of hot brakes, discoloration or stench.

If it was a gear problem in the diff or TC expect it would have grenaded happening at speed.

[egh33]

It drove good when I unhooked from the coach except for the flats, wheels turned just fine.
I haven't got the rims or tires yet, they had to be ordered. The Dealer shop was not going to get to it till Monday. I do not use a supplement braking. it's not required do to it's weight. You can not lock or unlock the hubs it all done thru the transfer case.
As I said I have been towing this Jeep for 12 years with no problems at all.

[Ductape]

Does it drive normally after you replaced the tires?

Do you use a toad braking system?

[fritzrs]

Ouch... I toad a 2010 JK Wrangler (all four down on pavement), tranny and transfer in neutral, steering wheel unlocked, and have never heard of this problem. Last trip was Seattle to New York and back. Zero problems.

Please post results of your final diagnosis... that’s a serious problem.
I can’t imagine being on an interstate or heavy I-5 traffic in Seattle and having that lock-up happen. Very dangerous. Glad everyone is safe.

[VintageRacer]

The dealer should be able to diagnose if the brakes were locked or the axle was locked. I would wonder if the front hubs are always locked, or if they lock and unlock, if so were they locked? If they were locked it could be a transfer case problem, or the front differential or ring and pinion.

Brian

[egh33]

The steering wheel was free to turn, the wheels were straight ahead, yes there was smoke not much till I stopped No noise. The wheels would not rotate round and round. The ignition Not turned to lock. I checked that as soon as I got stopped.
Sorry about the year 2002 I just figured you would notice I have been towing the same Jeep for 12 years. Thanks for the reply

[webhannet]

Do you mean the steering had locked all the way to one side - or the WHEELS were not turning? Was the ignition lock OFF and the steering wheel was free to turn as it wanted.

You didn't say what year Wrangler - it makes a difference.

Second Gear would make no difference.

It's rare but possible that the steering column turned all the way to one side - and stayed there. You could also have front suspension wear prolems which could contribute to the cause.

Dealers typically are clueless to towing issues.

If your tires were fully worn, there should have been SMOKE and NOISE sufficient to alert you to the problem. I doubt it was immediate.