So I have a 2018 with 50K on it, just had the rear rotors and pads done 300miles ago haven’t noticed any issues. All of a sudden as of yesterday, I’m hearing/feeling some type of grinding when slowing or turning it seems or maybe both at the same time. Is it possible that this could be coming from the front diff trying to engage by any chance? I feel like the noise is coming from the front end of the truck, or would we think it would be related back to the brakes although I haven’t had any issues with them through the past few hundred miles since they’ve been done

 

check the IWE's.

 

what is an IWE?

 

Integrated Wheel End, essentially your Locking Hub Actuators. Could be losing vacuum, or they're bad themselves. Here's a little more info,
https://newparts.com/articles/ford-f...nts-and-fixes/
This states it's for the 2004-2008 models but the newer models are still notorious for having issues with these.
Just had mine replaced for the second time @ 105,000 miles. Ended up capping the system which locks my hubs in all the time.

 

Since you had your rear brakes and rotors done 300 miles ago, I’d swing by the shop that did the work and just ask them what they think, one never knows without asking.

 

I've had that a couple times with my truck. Each time it turned out to be a small chunk of gravel caught between the brake rotor and the shield.

 

Highly unlikely the front diff is 'engaging'. The transfer case needs to be engaged for the driveshaft to drive the diff.
Of the wheel end on one or both of the wheels are not unlocking. (that is the job of the IWE).
There are several reports of bad front diff bearings on this generation/era of 4x4s.

Are you going to do any work or troubleshooting yourself or are you asking what you need to talk to any shop about regarding the noise.
If possible, I'd at least look at the dust shield behind the rotor for anything stuck.

This is a great demonstration of how an IWE system works, and a noise associated when it is not working properly.

 

I had some faint grinding from the front of my 2015 4x4 and did the TSB 22-2219 vacuum cap off and haven't heard it since.