I had new lifting struts put into my 2018 F-150 a few days ago. Now I am feeling a vibration or grinding sounds at low speed.

I don’t know if I hear or feel it in the steering wheel at the same time when I come to a slow stop or apply the brakes. It doesn’t seem to happen upon take off or higher speeds but rather when slowing down. I thought maybe it was just me but my wife noticed it today also. Is this what a damaged IWE system sounds like?

 

Here is what it sounds like, and an explanation of how things work.

 

My guess, you have a wheel bearing / hub going bad, the lift simply exposed it. Does noise change in a left or right turn? You have a Lariat, put it in 4A, drive it like that a few days. Does sound go away? (doing this will keep iwe's engaged, and the typical chatter / grinding noise goes away, simply one n/c test in diagnosing) Good luck, keep us informed!

 

Hey there, thanks for the reply. What made you think bad hub right away? I came home from work today and didn't feel the grinding I was feeling. It is intermittent. Any additional thoughts?

 

i had intermittent grinding as well. Could not replicate reliably with turning, not turning, acceleration, braking, etc. The grinding would sometimes happen every drive for a period of time…sometimes every few days. Grinding was less with my snow tires than my summer A/T tires. Tried jacking front wheels and found no observable play in either. Took a chance and changed both front bearings and grinding went away. I’m shade tree but was able to change both on my own with the help of YT videos.
I am not saying this is your issue…just sounds similar to mine. Good luck. 🍺

 

So I just went and drove around my neighbourhood and the grind noise I hear is happening in 2H, 4H and 4A so perhaps it is not related to the IWE system. I checked the vacuum lines near the wheel and some are showing wear against the zap strap clips but no punctures from what I can tell. I am wondering if I have a sticky caliper?

 

Likely not iwe if does it in 4A etc. Wheel bearings are odd ones, likely they will get noisy warmed up and turning this way or that. Next trip, find a parking lot and do some 25 mph hardish left then right turns.

 

Actually doing some more driving it may only be doing it in 2H. It’s just a slight grinding noise though and doesn’t do it every time. Is it worth having Ford examine the IWE system?

 

I can't answer that question. I would simply leave it in 4A for a few days of driving to better diagnose. If sound goes away, it seems logical it is an iwe issue. Sometimes (as for me), it is a simple $10 check valve. I assure you if you go to Ford, your not walking out with a $10 bill. If sound continues in 4A it could be various things based on more factors than given. Keep us posted on the $a test.

 

I have booked my truck into Ford for Thursday. Tonight I drove in 4A and it only did it once. Flipped back to 2H and it did it right away at low speed… even when just letting the truck crawl with foot off the gas and brake it did it continuously. But then there are time like earlier today it didn’t do it at all in either driving mode. The dealer said they want to go for a drive to hear it but I’m betting it won’t do it during that time…. Any other tips or advice?