Hi, I am replacing the IWE on my 2010 XLT. The picture attached is the actuator receiving gear. I need to know if the teeth are worn out.

Thanks

 

No expert here ... but they do look worn.

Mine were just replaced under warranty. I asked to save them so I could see what they looked like, but, apparently the tech forgot.

With your pic, I get to see what they look like. In the top left area of your photo, it looks like there is not enough tooth to engage. Wish I knew what a new one or at least a good one looked like.

 

It looks like there has been some misaligned contact on the face. Typically happens when you try to put it in four wheel drive at a dead stop and they don't engage properly resulting in a grinding noise or a failed component. They are meant to be tapered on the edges like that though they do appear a little more rounded off due to the grinding.

 

That part is usually called the hub, the IWE mates with it.
Agree with Shifty.

 

Okay, time to read the owner's manual. I shouldn't put it in 4wd while stopped? I don't remember putting in in 4wd since I bought it, only time we had snow was after I disconnected the power to the solenoid when the IWE's acted up.

The first thing the service writer did when I brought it in for the IWE and Cam Phaser things was reconnect the power to the solenoid and put the truck in 4wd, then back to 2wd.

 

As per my norm ... when I read the manual, I get confused.

First there is this that clearly states you can shift into 4H or 2H while stopped.

 

Then on the other side of the page is this.

 

So question is, Should I be moving while I shift it?

 

If at all possible you should always try to be rolling when shifting into 4wd. In my personal experience shifting into 4wd Hi at a dead stop always results in grinding and sometimes clunks and other expensive sounding noise. When I shift into 4Hi while rolling 1-40mph it's always a flawless smooth shift. If you get stuck in snow or mud in 2wd and then try to engage 4wd and the get the shift error message to move forward you're not going to have a good time. I did this behind my house one day and thought for sure I grenaded something. I also shift into 4Hi at least a few times a month to keep all the grease and fluids and all that moving around (only while driving straight and never accelerate or brake during the shift). It seems like most of the people that have IWE issues it's usually because they hadn't put it in 4Hi in a very long time. I've not had a single issue with mine.

 

The in-motion shifting helps with teeth mesh in the transfer case. That is 100% separate from the IWE engagement.

I have no problems with the idea to shift either stopped or while moving. If the system is working as it should be, both will work. The transfer case gears, however, do stand a chance of not being aligned which has been a thing since the beginning of time.

IF a person stops to engage 4x4, it is best they do not do so on a slippery surface. Either the IWE OR the transfer case may experience harsh engagement if the rear wheels spin like in mud/sand/snow/ice. If the surface is slick, it should be shifted while in motion.

I think there is a better/worse method based on the conditions or situation but I don't think there is a right/wrong way.