Hi,
I'm new at this. I'm not a mechanic but have been tinkering with cars and trucks (older ones...) for decades. I recently replaced the front struts (2012 5.0L 4X4 Super cab XLT) and as part of the process I disconnected the upper ball joints and pulled the axles back out of the hubs to swing down the hub assemblies to remove/reinstall the struts. After reassembly I took it out for a drive and noticed that I had a speed related vibration in 2WD that wasn't there before. I looked into it a bit more. With the front wheels off the ground, in 2WD with the engine running, the axles turn when I manually turn the wheels. I checked the vacuum lines to the hubs and I had vacuum. I thought the IWEs would release the wheels when a vacuum was applied when in 2WD. So, I've got a couple questions:
1. Could I have damaged the IWEs somehow when I disassembled and reassembled the front hub/axles and if so, is there something I could do fix them or just buy new ones?
2. I would like the wheels to be free in 2WD, so is there an option to buying new IWEs such as a manual (old school) lock-out kit I can get to keep them free, allowing me to manually lock them in for the snow season?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry I am not familiar with the F150 4wd system, someone here should be able to help you.

 

Thanks, Mike!
Folks have been helpful on this forum. Back about a half dozen years ago when I bought this truck I had a forum question about plowing with it. I’ve been plowing with a 3/4 ton beater ever since and taking it easy on this one, which is our favorite vehicle and still rust-free.

 

Welcome, may I suggest you ask this in the "Maintenance" forum? You'd likely get more responses there.

 

Thanks for the advice. I’ll try that (I didn’t know a maintenance section existed). My inexperience at this forum is showing!

 

Zero trouble, we all were new once.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome to the forum!