SICK of IWE problems!! Delete?
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31,767
Likes: 12,585
From: Nowhereville, Barton City Michigan
I've considered manual locking hubs because changing vacuum actuated IWE's on my Lariat is a seasonal affair as frequent as changing batteries in my smoke detectors. What bothers me is that Ford makes an electronic locking diff and that it would be relatively inexpensive to have R&D design an electromagnetic hub based upon the same operating principles.
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31,767
Likes: 12,585
From: Nowhereville, Barton City Michigan
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31,767
Likes: 12,585
From: Nowhereville, Barton City Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 616
Likes: 270
If you could use the existing solenoid wiring to power a relay, all you would need to do is wait for a 21 to show up at the local salvage yard to get the major parts.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,041
Likes: 1,117
IWE’s aren’t that complicated...
And they are certainly not something that should have repeat issues, they Aren’t being repaired correctly.
That said, in 4 auto, the IWE’s are engaged and there should be no issues unless damaged or vacuums is leaking.
IWE’s are usually the cause of clunking. Grinding and clicking yes, clunking not so much.
That said, in 4 auto, the IWE’s are engaged and there should be no issues unless damaged or vacuums is leaking.
IWE’s are usually the cause of clunking. Grinding and clicking yes, clunking not so much.
Community Team
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,917
Likes: 873
From: Winter Wonderland Alberta
This is what I have decided to do. Use the caps and plug the lines in the winter and once I can get by without 4A I will put the line back in place to get better mileage in the non winter months. Hopefully this will extend the life of the IWEs as I don't use 4x4 in the summer and even if I left then plugged it seems the biggest culprit is outside sources into the IWE causing failure.
Fords answer to trucks with 4a is plugging the lines so the IWE is engaged so until I am upset enough to sell the truck this is what I will do.
Fords answer to trucks with 4a is plugging the lines so the IWE is engaged so until I am upset enough to sell the truck this is what I will do.
Last edited by caperJ; Feb 5, 2021 at 11:19 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 12,075
Likes: 4,002
From: ME
I've been lucky. My last 5 trucks have had the IWE setup and I haven't had any issues with IWEs yet. I always keep a spare check valve in the truck just in case.
