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See attached. I dont see anything in regards to vacuum. I'm still thinking its just a breather tube.
Ya, I'm not seeing anything either, it would seem like something designed by "Rube Goldberg" if it did, just more things going on than needed. I'm having trouble understanding what a vent would accomplish though.
I'm with you, wish someone with a '21 would get out there and look.
Thanks for posting this @antho
Maxx, on the 13th gen, there are no clips/clamps on the vac line fittings either.
Sounds like its just a breather tube. If the DC motor is turning a cam to engage/disengage there would need to be a breather tube for the diaphragm. Keeps the IWE sealed.
Oh, perfect, there's our answer, straight motor, best bet is breather tube, but, obviously there is no vacuum operation here.
I doubt this could be retro fitted easily, assuming it even fit, to the previous gens. But nice upgrade in my books.
Might take quite a bit to retro. The knuckle is different, as is the sway bar mounting, and then the programming. Think I'd just stay with what we have, you're looking at $$$$$$
Does appear to indicate electric only operation of the IWE. I agree, they would need to keep the IWE sealed and vent, this could be the real deal. Can we get a blowup of wiring diagram cell 34? Is that the one we've already seen? Anyone willing to dissect their EIWE?
Wondering if there are mechanisms so the cam applies even pressure around the circumference of the IWE. If not, we'll end up with sticking issues. Still have hope Ford has fixed it right.
Last edited by Flamingtaco; Jan 29, 2021 at 06:31 PM.
Does appear to indicate electric only operation of the IWE. I agree, they would need to keep the IWE sealed and vent, this could be the real deal. Can we get a blowup of wiring diagram cell 34? Is that the one we've already seen? Anyone willing to dissect their EIWE?
Wondering if there are mechanisms so the cam applies even pressure around the circumference of the IWE. If not, we'll end up with sticking issues. Still have hope Ford has fixed it right.
Sealing it is the issue. Mine were replaced both times (2019) due to contamination. This design seems to improve the vacuum issue but now its all plastic. I assume we will see the same if not more failure rates.
Sealing it is the issue. Mine were replaced both times (2019) due to contamination. This design seems to improve the vacuum issue but now its all plastic. I assume we will see the same if not more failure rates.
Improve or eliminate the vacuum system altogether? The question is: How many problems in the past were really due to vacuum loss versus actuator contamination?
Might take quite a bit to retro. The knuckle is different, as is the sway bar mounting, and then the programming. Think I'd just stay with what we have, you're looking at $$$$$$
For those of us with ESOF trucks I think a relay connected to our vacuum solenoid circuit would remedy the wiring part of it. Now I do agree that we would probably have to change knuckles at least to get it to work. I just can’t wait for an after market company to make electronic replacements for our trucks. 🤞
In a nice bit of coincidence, Autoblog released an in depth front end investigation on the 2021 F-150, core is going over the suspension/steering, but he covers the 4x4 system.
From the article to save a click:
"This seems to be another potentially significant but unsung change to the 2021 Ford F-150. The F-150’s four-wheel-drive system has typically used a vacuum-operated hub disconnect system called IWEs (Integrated Wheel Ends) that allow the wheels to freewheel when the truck is in two-wheel drive. But these hub disconnect units (yellow) look different, and they go by the slightly different acronym EIWE, which stands for electric integrated wheel end.Now, I’m pretty sure I’m still seeing one vacuum line along with a control wire. I’ve not seen a cutaway that shows the innards, but it looks like the electronics that control the vacuum have been moved to the hub area itself. What I do know is that if you search Ford IWE you’ll see loads of articles and videos on how to fix previous IWEs when they fail. Do they fail often? I don’t have the statistics. Is this a step forward? It’s probably too early to tell. But it does seem to be a departure worth pointing out."
Article has great pictures though if you want to do additional sleuthing. He does a lot of these driveway teardown/reviews and I really like them.
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