Heres the deal: 84 wagon, when I turn the steering wheel more then about half a turn either way I get a scraping/ dragging noise coming from the passenger side front wheel.

I did some tests the other day and its makes the noise while turning in first or second gear or if I'm in neutral and just coasting while still turning. If I go into third gear I think I'm going to fast to turn tight enough and the road noise kinda drowns out the noise I'm listening for. If I hit the brakes it goes away some of the time. Its definately speed related because as you slow down so does the scraping noise.

Any ideas? I check the front axles and I don't see any torn boots but could that still be the problem? Maybe wheel bearings?

could be either the bearings, the axle, the hub wearing out, or (hopefully) just a loose axle nut.

 

Take your hubcap off and check the big axle nut. If you can move it, it's a bad thing. If you can't, take the cotter pin out and try to torque it down some more. These things need a lot of torque put on them.

Also check the brake pads, when mine wore out, one on the passenger side would scrape when I turned the wheel either way. The axle nut on these cars is not nearly as bad as a Honda, some require 500+ ft-lb torque, as I recall Soobs only need 165.

Also check the stone guard over the fr. disk. if they get bent they can rub.

My axle nut was a little loose so I tightened it and I think the problem is solved! Thanks

This may be an odd question, but how common a problem are loose axel nuts? This must be the 2nd or 3rd post in a month on the subject. We have had our Soob for 20 years and have had not problems with loose axel nuts. Is it because somebody worked on it and did not torque it properly (coat lightly w/engine oil or anti-seize and use torque wrench). Or is there some other reason? I recently had to change the front rotors on mine, and I had no problems before or after.

THe nuts loosen because a tapered washer (that doesn't look tapered to the naked eye) is installed backwards. If in the correct way, the nut will not loosen.