mbspark

I'm on a road trip and determined I have the IWE problem. "Stone in a tin can" issue all the time and now at slow sleep horrible grinding.

I'm a 3.5 drive hour from home. I've been reading how I can fix it when I get home, but right now I'm far from that, with no mechanic around and limited tools.

I've read that I could remove the vacuum line and plug it off, and this could possibly get me home. Does anyone have pictures of where that line to be removed and plugged is?

Also, any suggestions on the best way to plug it and seal it with basic tools and duct tape that I have with me?

All this after I my last road trip which cause me to replace radiator / water pump / thermostat / fan clutch last week *sigh*

BadFish523

Have you tried replacing the solenoid? $30 at probably any auto parts store. Takes 15 minutes to change with only a 10mm socket and ratchet or wrench.

BadFish523

Also unplugging it will lock it in 4x4 and you don't want to take too many corners on dry pavement with it in 4wd

BadFish523

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiqohbCi0pQ This will show you how to replace it. The newer ones will have a black box kind of shielding the solenoid.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

It will not lock it in 4WD... it will just allow the IWE's to engage and stop making a partial engagement noise.. disconnect from the solenoid mounted on the firewall behind the battery and tape over the hose nipples. or stop and get a new solenoid at any parts store like Stephen suggested...it's a parking lot easy fix ...

mbspark

Thanks All.

The previous owner had already put the new solenoid on. The issue would be the vacuum lines or actuators, I guess.

So I could just disconnect the harness instead of plugging the hoses? I have a 3.5 hour drive with speeds 50-60 mph. I don't really want to be in 4wd

mbspark

From my photo above, can I just plug those 2 lines? I'm guessing one (the top) is the line in, and the other goes out to each IWE, it has a t-splitter.

BadFish523

Yes, you just tape off the ends so they don't get crap in them. As I wrongly stated and Tech correctly stated you wont be in 4x4. You will have the hubs engaged but not the transfer case. The solenoid looks a little old and could still be your problem. That's your call if you want to spend the money for a part that could still be good.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

It does have the rain hood ... So it's the up-dated version but, it could still be your problem..especially if it was a dorman brand.. Barrow a vacuum pump from your local auto parts when you get home and troubleshoot the IWE's

KEVININCHICAGO

Like others have said, just unplug the hose for now, won't hurt anything. I rubbed a hole in my vacuum line once on one side and did not know it. Drove for months like that with the front hubs engaged and turning the front differential all the time. Nothing was damaged since it has no effect on the transfer case, just spins the front prop shaft constantly. The AWD Harley trucks did the same thing and always had the front spinning. When you get home, do the solenoid, check the hoses for damage, replace all of the 1 way vacuum valves. I have had some valves fail and would not hold the one way vacuum. The front ends of these trucks are pretty sturdy with an 8.8 pumpkin. I plow snow with mine and have 300,000 miles on it and other than front bearings and wheel end replacements over the years on the hubs all has been fine. My front end has had a lot of use and abuse from plowing and is fine. Running unloaded with the front spinning will not be an issue. If you let it keep grinding the wheel ends probably won't last 20 miles when all the engagement teeth look like a man on meth. Before you remove the 1 way vacuum valves, take a picture to note which way they go. You will thank me later when you can't remember.