Hey folks,

I have a groaning noise briefly when it's cold out (40 degrees or colder) from the front driver's side, also occasionally a rattle accelerating uphill in the first couple minutes of starting the truck. I assumed it would be the IWE. If I shift into 4x4 when cold, the groaning, changes sound, maybe less volume, but doesn't go away completely.

I pulled the wheels and checked the vacuum but didn't see a significant change. I replaced the check valve and solenoid, but no change. What PSI are folks using to check and how long are you watching it? Anything other than IWE that would check these boxes?

Thanks

 

Just for clarity, "What PSI are folks using to check and how long are you watching it?" I think you mean vacuum (inches of water or Mercury.

 

Does it change sound when turning either direction, it could be a wheel bearing. If you simply unplug solenoid, drive it, does sound go away?

 

Correct on vacuum.

I don't notice a big change in sound while turning, tapping the brakes usually starts the sound in the morning. We have replaced that wheel hub twice.

I do get a rattle can sound sometimes going uphill

 

The rattle can sound is the iwe slipping on the gears from partial engagement. For me, the check valve has fixed that 2x. Unplug the solenoid and drive (or 4A if you have a Lariat or above). does sound quit?

 

I'll have to try, it's getting warmer and making less noise.

 

Have an audio recording you can load to Utube? Your groan turns into a rattle?
Did you replace the hub, or the IWE? Two different things.
What truck is this, an F150, what year, what trim level? Need info instead of guessing.
Help us, to help you.

 

I get a groan in the morning when it's cold for the first minute or two. I drive two blocks in my small town, then I'm on the highway. I get the groan when I touch my brakes.
Youtube video, the first 30 seconds is with the solenoid unlpugged, groan is much quieter, last 30 seconds is touching the brakes with the solenoid plugged in, much louder. Occasionally, when I've already been driving 5-10 minutes and I'm accelerating up a steep short pass on the way to work, I get a rattle like a hubcap full of pebbles, or a crazy bad motor with lifters clacking.
I replaced the solenoid and check valve already. 2018 F150, 5.0, XLT.

 

It was much quieter with the solenoid unplugged. First 30 seconds is unplugged.

 

Thanks for the vids. The groaning reminds me of maybe something with the brakes, or maybe a bit more remotely, a wheel bearing.
The "rattling" or grinding does sound like maybe a bad IWE. Trucks of our years have a programmed delay that keeps the IWE's engaged for approximately 1/2 mile on every key cycle. Is that when you hear the grind/rattle?
Was it the IWE or bearing/hub replaced, and was care taken to either mesh the teeth when tightening the spindle nut, or a vacuum applied when tightening? Improper tightening can break a brand new IWE whether replacing either the hub or IWE

Just to be sure, does it sound like this?