badger10

My 07 has a grinding noise from the front end (I think). It is Intermittent. It happens at different speeds. I replaced the IWE solenoid, which had the cover on it, about two weeks ago. I have heard the noise twice. Once at highway speed and once at 30-40 MPH. This last time I tried putting it into 4x4 mode and it would not engage (no light anyway). Once the noise went away I was able to engage the 4x4 mode. The noise has lasted at most maybe a minute. I have applied the brakes and the noise stops right away. Of course that could be just a coincidence. Should I be considering replacing the hubs or could it be something else?

Martian

How many years on it and have you ever hit anything with it? Sounds like a couple possible issues. 4wd not engaging could be due to bad hubs. The sound going away when you hit the brakes, though, first thing I'd start checking out there would be the brakes, wheel hubs, and suspension.

badger10

It has 88,000 on it. I have heard the noise about 8-10 times. I tried engaging the 4wd once while hearing the noise and it did not indicate on my panel that it engaged. It goes into 4wd with no problems when not making noise. To clarify...the noise has happened only twice since I replaced the solenoid. Before replacing the solenoid it happened at different speeds, turning, slowing down, etc. The truck has no damage and I have not hit anything. Since the noise is intermittent if I do a vacuum test will that help diagnose the problem?

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Yes.. that will eliminate the IWE as the noise making culprit

badger10

I got a vacuum gauge but had not done the test yet. Well the noise came back today and with the noise came a charging system light. It stayed on for about a minute then all was good. Last May I had similar thing happen (noise/light). Turns out it was a bad alternator. I have heard the noise about 10 times now. Today was the first time the charging system light came on. Could this be a charging system problem or is the IWE system somehow causing a charging problem???

xMUDKINGx

A weak alternator would definitely cause your 4wd to not engage. The transfer case shift motor needs some power to shift into 4L or 4H that is how your truck also registers if your in 4wd and illuminates the light on your dash. I could also see the vacuum solenoid not working properly due to low voltage and causing your vacuum to drop intermittently making your hubs engage.

jstaff150

My 06 scab started making a clicking grinding noise awhile back so I replaced the 4WD vacuum solenoid. That didn't fix it so I changed out the 4WD locking hub actuator and that ended up being the issue. Do a YouTube search for { 2004-2014 Ford F-150 4X4 Clicking Humming: Vacuum Hub Replacement }, video will be made by FordTechMakuloco and it is very informative hope this helps if you haven't fixed it yet.