Originally Posted by '16F150FX4

What would be the consequence of not repairing a grinding front left IWE (or hub actuator) over a prolonged period- say a year?

I have already noticed:

• a significant drop in mpg (18.7 city/hwy avg down to 13-14 mpg avg over the last several months).
• The intermittent grinding noise that my front left wheel hub used to make seems to have been replaced by an ever-present "friction" noise (constant grinding or rubbing) that the dealer believes is tire noise, but this noise only comes from the front left wheel and sounds like 4-wheel drive is always engaged on that hub.

Originally Posted by fordtrk

With just unplugging the solenoid your still relying on the spring pressure in the IWE to keep it locked in 4 wheel drive. Mine the spring pressure got weak and would pop and bang as it slipped out of 4 wheel. After replacing it for humming in 2 wheel it was good for awhile but then the other side went.Then from it being bad so long (cause the dealer couldn't hear it) it wore the edge of the gear on the cv so it wouldn't engage properly. The eliminator kit is made from stronger metal and is wider for more gear tooth contact. Eventually IWE leak get moisture and rust the spring. So this eliminates the iwe and the vacuum system.