4x4 grinding sound, but only when turning wheels to left.
05-05-2024, 06:15 PM
#1
4x4 grinding sound, but only when turning wheels to left.
Hi recently got a 2011 F150 3.5L 4x4. I noticed that when I do maneuvers like getting in and out of parking spots, with the wheel completely turned to the left, I hear a rattling/clicking sound coming from the front left wheel. Turning the steering wheel a few degrees to the right is enough to make the noise go away. Other than that, no issues when driving.
I replaced the vacuum line assembly, but that did not fix the problem. What else should I try?
I replaced the vacuum line assembly, but that did not fix the problem. What else should I try?
05-06-2024, 11:07 PM
#2
As an update, I got a vacuum gauge and testing kit on loan from my Car part store. The IWE hubs hold vacuum, and engage/disengage as they should. The new vacuum line likewise holds vacuum. However, the vacuum solenoid does not activate. As a result, I have been driving around with the half shaft engaged all the times. I have ordered a new solenoid. Cheap and stupid easy to replace. Will see if that fixes the problem.
Last edited by ululi1970; 05-07-2024 at 10:52 AM.
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Al Czervik Construct (05-07-2024)
05-08-2024, 02:19 PM
#4
Senior Member
For future reference driving in 4X4 on hard dry surfaces will break your truck. Doing this in the past is probably why you have broken parts now.
You can get by with driving in 4x4 on hard surfaces for short distances as long as you drive in a relatively straight line. But turning corners will force at least one wheel to slip some on the ground. If traction is good enough that it can't slip something will eventually break. It rarely breaks right away, but sometimes you see a catastrophic failure. Doing this will lead to premature parts breakage.
99% of all 4X4 problems are due to operator error. Used correctly most people will never use 4X4 enough miles to wear anything out. A 4X4 vehicle with 200,000 miles on the truck probably has less then 10,000 miles with 4X4 engaged. Most less than 2000 miles.
You can get by with driving in 4x4 on hard surfaces for short distances as long as you drive in a relatively straight line. But turning corners will force at least one wheel to slip some on the ground. If traction is good enough that it can't slip something will eventually break. It rarely breaks right away, but sometimes you see a catastrophic failure. Doing this will lead to premature parts breakage.
99% of all 4X4 problems are due to operator error. Used correctly most people will never use 4X4 enough miles to wear anything out. A 4X4 vehicle with 200,000 miles on the truck probably has less then 10,000 miles with 4X4 engaged. Most less than 2000 miles.
05-08-2024, 04:02 PM
#5
Beeps and Boops
It seems like you've been around the forums a while so it's weird that you're blaming the user for an IWE problem - the IWE system is a straight-up flawed design. Ford gave up on it and is having users just block it off (TSB-22-2219). If he had a busted CV shaft or screwed up differential or grenaded transfer case then sure, blame the user. But 99% of all F-150 4x4 problems are the IWEs and those aren't user error.
05-08-2024, 04:51 PM
#6
I think the TSB-22-2219 makes it abundantly clear that driving with the half shafts engaged but the TC off (which is what happens when the vacuum line at the solenoid is capped as per TBS) does not cause any problem, other than perhaps a slight drop in mileage due to the extra rotating parts. OTOH, having the IWEs going in and out will chew up
the splines...
the splines...