wantitfixed

Saturday 8/27/2016, I replaced a laundry list of items on my truck - 2004 F150 4x4 XLT Supercrew. Great truck!
List of items replaced:
Rear shocks - not a problem
Both lower ball joints
Both upper control arms
Both hub assemblies
Front Left rotor
Front Left brake caliper
Front Left brake hose

Once these were replaced, I did the test drive and heard the awfullest (is that a real word?) noise coming form the left side. I had GM mechanic drive it and he told me that it was a noise from the actuator. No vacuum.

I ran the troubleshooting on the lines. Getting good vacuum. So I changed the actuator.

Took it down the road and the noise seemed to be gone. Pulled back in my lane and heard the same noise again. It does appear to be related to the actuator and it is driving me insane. Almost makes want to buy a different make of truck (not really). I know I can drive it in 4 wheel drive but that is not an option for everyday driving.

As of now, it sits in the garage waiting patiently to be driven again.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Blown F-150

Might be a IWE. Check out the procedure before replacing, they can get messed up during the install and you'll just be back to where you are now.

wantitfixed

Went back through procedure as per manual. Still making the same noise. Truck runs great in 4 wheel drive. Take it of 4wd and it does the same. The only I have not done is replace the vacuum lines but there is good vacuum coming through text line. I am very much at a loss.

digitaltrucker

Was it there before? Did you put the pads back in correctly?

wantitfixed

Replaced the 4wd actuator. Ran it for about 27 miles and then heard a loud pop, almost like my tire blew. The actuator came apart. Returned the pieces of that actuator. O'Reilly's didn't have anymore in stock. Went to NAPA and bought new one.
Installed the new one and was still making the same sounds. No noise when in 4wd, only in 2wd.
Finally dropped it off at shop this morning to have another pair of eyes looking at it. I'm done.

wantitfixed

Ok. After a couple of weeks of frustration, I finally took my truck to the shop to get a new pair of eyes on it.

They replaced my half shaft and replaced the new hub assembly that I had just replaced but they left the 4wd hub actuator alone.

The hub assembly (bearing), had some metal shavings and you could see where the metal was coming from, plus the half shaft had problems. had to pay out another $520 for this. Drove my truck to work and back twice (about 40 miles or so). The left wheel started making the same noise.

This is getting to be a real nuisance. Is there anyone out there that has the actual fix for this? Please read my original post in this thread for the details.

Martian

Did you replace the vacuum lines and IWE solenoid on the firewall?

Thread moved to 2004-2008.

wantitfixed

Replaced solenoid. Did not replace vacuum. Tested the vacuum and the line have a little over 5psi which to my understanding 5 to 7 is the range that this should have.

I have been through 3 actuators, 2 hubs, 1 half shaft. AGH!!!

Martian

I can't figure out why they replaced the new shaft... or why it cost that much... a new shaft is less than $100

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Need to get a vacuum pump and check each IWE itself ... they need to hold vacuum ... not bleed down.. do the same at the IWE solenoid on the vacuum line to the IWE..you have a Vacuum leak somewhere... there are also a couple check valves at the top of the system coming from the Vacuum box, make sure they are working correctly ie..blow only one way .. also check the box to ensure it's not leaking.