For past few months I have had a metal/metal noise on the front left. Sounds like brake pads glazed or metal on rotor. Only happens when I apply the breaks. I have turned rotor and have now applied second set of brake pads and still no stopping. Does not grind or roar or squeak. Simply metal to metal sound like a worn or glazed brake pad on rotor. But after several replacements, that is not the case. I have no play in the wheel at all. Can someone help me with this issue. I have heard some say it is a selonoid for the IWE or check valve with all of my reading. I just dont understand how it would only happen when brakes applied if this is the case. Can someone explain to me if that sounds like the problem. If so, can someone show me schematics of where these parts are located and how I go about changing things out except for IWE. Would have to get dealer to do that if this is option. Thanks in advance. I am out of options for brakes

 

The solenoid and check valve are on the drivers side fire wall. Takes about 3 minutes to change-I just did mine as I was getting a similar noise, and the dealer is waiting on the IWE parts, so for the $22 it cost to get them from TASCA Ford, I figured WTH. I just did it Monday, so I'll see if it did the trick.
Parts 7L1Z-9H465-B Solenoid & FL3Z-3A788A Tube

 

if anyone else has any information as well as pics that would be great.

 

Search IWE & you'll find tons of history threads.
Start with changing the check valve as noted above.
Something you can easily do yourself, unless your truck is still under warranty.

 

Why would this happen ONLY under braking? doesn't make sense its the IWE

 

The IWE uses vacuum to disengage. It could be that a vacuum leak somewhere is causing the problem when the brakes are applied due to the brake booster using all of the available vacuum because of the leak. I would believe that this could also be caused by the check valve as well, as it's job is to hold vacuum to both IWEs (disengaged) when no vacuum from the engine is available (which may be the case when the brake booster uses all available vacuum)....Just a guess. Good luck!

 

I was able to locate a selonoid at a local dealership today. I have the hose assembly coming tomorrow that connects to the selonoid. When not in 4x4 i would have the noise and vibration. This would stop when I had in 4x4. After changing the selonoid at lunch, I drove back to work and did not have any noise or problem that I was continuously having prior to the change. I will install the hose assembly tomorrow and check back.

 

The noise not being present in four wheel drive would virtually guarantee it's related to partial engagement of the IWE during periods of low vacuum.....Sounds like you're on the right track! If it remains after those two are replaced, I'd pull the left upper control arm and center shaft nut and check for a cracked IWE visually. Remember to hand tighten the axle nut when reassembling to ensure you don't over tighten it causing the exact problem you're checking for......The IWE housing is made of plastic, and several have found cracked outer IWE housings due to over tightening that nut with an impact.....Good luck!

 

I have not received the hose assembly yet however after installing a new selonoid today at lunch, I have not had the noise at all on my front drivers side. I am still planning on replacing the hose and check valve assembly tomorrow when it arrives as assurance. I will keep posted on how it continues to behave while driving. Will keep everyone posted. I would have never imagined that this could be vacuum related instead of brake related. However noise if gone to this point with a simple 23 dollar part change

 

My problem is solved... I received the hose assembly and check valve this morning. On way to work as well as all day yesterday I did not have another problem or sound that I was having after replacing the selonoid. I just replaced the check valve and hose and I noticed when pulling off of the new selonoid that I had an air/vacuum release sound. Here is the thing, I changed my selonoid yesterday and never had this sound when pulling the hose to replace selonoid. So thanks to O3SC Lariat for the part numbers. 23 dollars repaired my problem after spending 150 in brake parts and turning rotors. Will just keep an eye out now for any IWE probs that may have started since the vacuum failure. As for now, all is normal as it should be.