I noticed today that when slowing down, I hear a growling sound coming from the front passenger side tirearea. Wheels are straight, not turning. The noise returns at around 35-40 mph. It goes away complete when I switch to 4 auto or 4 high. Sounds like maybe an iwe issue? It's not grinding or clicking but more of a groan or growl if that makes sense. I put it in 4 high and am able to turn in circles without feeling any bind either? Would the electric power steering make it not felt as much as the old trucks, or is it maybe just not working?

There are no problem indicators in the info screen and it says it shifts correctly into 4h or auto 4wd.like I said in either of those positions the noise goes away at speed and when slowing to a stop. I have a 3mo 3k mile warranty in the truck for power train, but I doubt it would cover a wheel hub.

I'm gonna check for vacuum first though and hope it's something simple. Am I looking in theright ddirection?

 

I had a similar issue along with clicking. The steering rack and the IWE sensor had to be replaced.

 

Sorry, what is IWE?

 

Integrated wheel end...this is what allows your hubs to lock and un-lock

 

My truck is in the shop right now for this exact same issue. I'll let you know what they find.

 

I dropped it off at the dealer tonight (where I bought it), because 4x4 was completely non functional, I could turn the wheel to full lock in 4h and drive in circles with no binding at all. I figure that falls under transfer case or driveline which is part of the warranty. We'll see what they say tomorrow, they were gonna run it to the Ford dealer for a diagnosis. I figure worst case I'll have to buy the part and they will handle the labor, but of course I'm hoping for them to make it right it hadn't even been 24 hours since buying what they said was a perfect condition "everything works" vehicle.

 

Have them check the vacuum tube to the hub. That's what was wrong with my dads truck a few weeks ago

 

Got the truck back yesterday, they said there was nothing wrong with it and tried to get me to purchase an extended warranty. I pulled out of the parking lot and it was making noise as I pulled out. It seems to only growl for the first ten minutes or so in 2wd (no noise in auto or 4 high) the 4x4 does engage and bind up once the truck is warm. I'm assuming the passenger side wheel hub is sticking or not sliding smoothly till the tire spins for awhile and heats up the grease inside. I'll have to brush up on how this vacuum system works, I forget if it's lack of vacuum that locks the hubs or applied vacuum. I don't have a vacuum guage but will hit up harbor freight this weekend for one.

Anyone know where the vacuum solenoid is located? I didn't see it on the passenger side firewall where it was on the previous generation trucks. I tried to follow the vacuum line from the hub and it seems to run up by the radiator?

 

Mine does it also. Took in in last year and the tech heard it while we did a test ride.
They called back that afternoon saying nothing is wrong. It quit doing it for awhile
and has recently started back. Dropped it off again because the rear end has started humming between 60-65. Tech heard that and they call back and say that is normal.
Guess I will have to take it back to the dealer I bought if from which is about 100 miles away.

 

I just got a call from the Ford dealership diagnosing this problem. They said it sounds like its coming from the front passenger side but they did a scope on it and found it was a noise in the rear end. This doesn't make sense to me at all, I think they were looking for that passenger side noise and found another problem IMO, but either way. So the plan is now they are going to tear the entire rear end apart on my truck and check the bearings in it. Ford said that some were set too tight from the factory and there's a TSB out on it. They are going to take it apart and see how much its going to cost to fix it, if its more than 70% of the cost of a new rear end then they are going to put an entirely new rear end in it. Ya....... So its all covered under warranty and I won't get my truck back for at least another week. I figure at that time they are going to find another problem and it will be another week on top of that. I see an extended warranty in my future and worst case scenario a 2015 FX4.