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Thats great but now the front axles are continuously spinning...
Exactly, I don't think I'd go that route.
I had a '97 F250HD at one time, with the autolocking hubs. Those were garbage on that truck, the right front was replaced a number of times, it wouldn't unlock. The next three F250's all had manual hubs, manual TC, never a problem.
I guess Ford hasn't spent enough on a faulty system, across 3 generations, to come up with a better system, or just give up and go back to manual hubs. Then again, economics is not my strong point.
My truck grinds all the time when its in the 30's or colder. Its to the point where i don't have 4wd anymore because the drivers side slips but the dealers all say there is nothing wrong. They replaced the drivers side once, but now wont acknowledge the issue after that. Thinking about putting in the deletes after i end up replacing the hubs out of pocket. Close to $800 to do both sides, not much more to do the hubs and add delete.
The IWE system is made up of a few basic components.
Theres the solenoid and the check valve both located under the hood, a first start for anyone with IWE problems as the parts are cheap and easily replaced.
Check that the solenoid is drawing vacuum and that the check valve isn't gummed up with dirt and dust.
Next check - take off front tires, with truck on jacks start the engine. Listen for vacuum leaks in the hoses going to the IWEs on the wheel hubs. Move and jiggle the hoses around - specifically check where the hoses are clamped or tie strapped onto the frame or spindle hub - this is where both of mine broke. Thats why the grinding sound would only occur when turning - the hose would strecth out and cause the crack to open thus losing vacuum thus causing IWE to partially engage.
If all else fails - go to the IWE itself. Now Ford will charge you an arm and two legs to swap these out. If you're a little handy with wrenches, you can swap both out in about an hour. An hour and a half if its your first time. The Front spindle has to be unbolted from upper control arm - disconnect tie rod - remove axle nut - pull axle CV out of spindle - remove the IWE (three small screws) install new IWE and reverse the process for reattaching everything.
Now some will say only replace with "quality" Ford parts but those don't seem to be lasting very long.
You can buy all these parts from Amazon...so for less than $200 you can pretty much have a whole new IWE system less the hoses.
I think we need to adjust to the fact that this will be a fix we'll all need to do every 4-5 years or so or at least that what I've found...maybe some trucks need it more often.
I was talking with my Service Manager about 2 weeks ago. Seems some of the replacement IWEs have too much grease in them. They've done multiple replacements on trucks as well. The tech removed the excess grease, and the truck smiled. Not saying all of them are like that, but in those cases at my dealer, it helped.
AFAIK, there is no aftermarket fix except for one company, and all they're doing is eliminating the disengage feature, and running them all the time, permanently locking, so your axles, front diff, and drive shaft are always engaged. Might as well just disconnect the vacuum line and do the same for free. Not worth the $ or time IMO.
Yes, the Raptor has the same, right along with the problems.
My service manager said something similar. Something about a new install procedure and grease...
I was talking with my Service Manager about 2 weeks ago. Seems some of the replacement IWEs have too much grease in them. They've done multiple replacements on trucks as well. The tech removed the excess grease, and the truck smiled. Not saying all of them are like that, but in those cases at my dealer, it helped.
AFAIK, there is no aftermarket fix except for one company, and all they're doing is eliminating the disengage feature, and running them all the time, permanently locking, so your axles, front diff, and drive shaft are always engaged. Might as well just disconnect the vacuum line and do the same for free. Not worth the $ or time IMO.
Yes, the Raptor has the same, right along with the problems.
The grease thing makes sense as I live in very cold winter conditions and when its cold out the IWEs would rub first thing in morning - which I would attribute to the thickening or hardening of the grease in the cold but then in afternoon - or once truck was warmed up the grinding would go away.
The grease thing makes sense as I live in very cold winter conditions and when its cold out the IWEs would rub first thing in morning - which I would attribute to the thickening or hardening of the grease in the cold but then in afternoon - or once truck was warmed up the grinding would go away.
Yes, I thought the same as you. Even with good vacuum, that grease could possibly make for slow reaction of the actuator.
Would make sense, the only time i have an issue is when its cold. Didn't do it from April-November last year when i got it and hasn't did it since mid April this year. At least my truck will sound like i ran over a shopping cart 5-6 months out of the year LOL. Still long enough to destroy the hubs/iwe thought. So do i consider it yearly maintenance at $400-800 a year and just replace them, put deletes in or dump the truck, Ford sure in the hell isn't interested in fixing it.
