hezzy602

First off my truck-2004 F-150 Supercrew 4x4 4'' lift 35X12.5 58000 miles Volant cold air intake Flowmaster muffler

So I had a grinding noise coming from my front end or below the cab so I took it to a transmission shop. They said everything is fine, transmission, transfer case, u joints, all ok. So my next step is I took it to the dealership. They found out that my front right hub was trying to engage while I was driving, usually at higher speeds, or all the time while I was towing something. I saw the old hub the teeth were all chipped and damaged. So they replaced that and they also replace some vacuum hub thingmajigger actuator that works with the four-wheel drive and the hub. They found out that the hub was still trying to engage and making that horrible grinding noise. They are telling me that there is not enough vacuum to pressure to keep that hub from trying to engage. They tested all the vacuum lines and found no leaks. They said the vacuum reservoir was fine. The mechanics put a temporary fix on it for now, they capped the actuator. I have a Volant cold air intake which they suggested that i Put back on the stock intake to give it more resistance to create more vacuum??? DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE, CAN ANYBODY RELATE TO THIS? So as of now I am trying to find a used stock intake for my ford. Just seems strange because ALOT of people have cold air intakes and the dealership in just lost trying to figure out why i dont have enough vacuum to hold open the hubs.

symon_say

This might help:

https://www.f150forum.com/f4/anyone-...4x4-read-6691/

rick99601

there are two check valves in the system that may not be sealing.
also there is a vacuum reservoir behind the battery against the fender.

poweredbyFORD88

u need a new IWE vacuum actuator i had the same problem the part is like 150 bucks and it took 15 min to replace it sits flush with your drop spindle and and is where your cv axle goes in your lift is gonna put strain on that part an causes it to break

Mlkx4

Not neccesarily. Many things could be wrong. I had the same problem and replaced the solenoid which was defective, but after vacuum testing the system also found a cracked line, and a bad check valve. Runs like new again.

Mlkx4

Most auto parts stores will let you rent a vacuum pump to test the system. Auto zone here charged me $55, and when I brought it back I left with my $55. Test the lines, and actuators seperately.

hezzy602

the guys at the dealership said they tested the vacuum system and said nothing seemed to be leaking. They replaced the hub actuator right by the firewall on the passenger side. They have it capped right now so the noise isnt occuring. The vacuum resevoir was also tested good.
Is there some other actuators that could be checked or replaced? If so where are they, maybe I could check/replace them?
Just doesnt make any sense

ATOM

the thing they replaced is the IWE solenoid, i sure hope they replaced it with the new one (the 06 and up one) i know the local dealer tried selling me the old part more than once. if the vacuum system checks out, i'd bet money that your hub actuators are junk. seeing that your truck is an 04, the rubber is probably cracked. i replaced both of them already on my father in laws 04, pretty much the only other thing it could be. oh and if one is junk, might as well do the other side while your at it, if you can afford it.


what do they have capped?

60DRB

hezzy602,

First, I suggest reading this thread. It explains how the 4x4 works and how to trouble shoot the system. Most people find the thread VERY helpful.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/836438-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-iwe-system-and-then-some.html

I THINK what you are saying the dealer replaced was the hub and the IWE (integrated wheel element) on the inner side of that hub. I don't beleive the air intake system is the problem (if it was, it would have immediatly occured when the air system was installed), but a vacuum leak in the 4x4 system probably IS the problem. Check your invoice from the dealer to see what specific parts were installed (then tell us). Specifically check for a solenoid replacement. The solenoid is a very common failure in the system, causing the IWEs to fail/cause damage to the hubs. The next most common failures are the rubber lines tranferring vacuum to from different locations.

frankyflo

TascaParts.com, also have all the parts (brand new) you need:

- Solenoid part number: 6L3Z-9E441-A $29.69

(this picture is from Posttal)

- Actuator part number: 7L1Z-3C247-A $79.85



I've just replaced my left side actuator and my solenoid. Took less than 30 min. for the actuator & 5 min for the solenoid.

As other member said, don't forget to test your air lines separately just to make sure.