I had 5100's installed tues and had a groan/light vibration when I picked it up Wednesday. I drove 25/30 kms with this noise and issue.

I did the couple of tests to check for vacuum. I lifted the front of the truck, turned it on and spun the tires. Driver side had no issues, tire spun and axle didn't. However passenger side was engaged, both tire and axle rotated. It also feels like I need to do my bearings, the tires didn't freely spin and they stopped quickly. I also got a couple hickies on my thumbs after I disconnected the hoses at the hubs and felt suction.

I had it towed back there last night and they looked at it today. Said they didn't do anything wrong and installed everything correctly. Took it for a test drive and said there's a noise. Recommended a transmission shop...

I picked it up and disconnected the vacuum lines at the IWE, plugged it with a screw on both sides and my issues went away.
Normally I would make an issue but I also don't like confrontation. I'm torn. Especially with finding out when I got it home I took off the front tire on the passenger side tire and see evidence of them removing the dust cap under the tire to removei the cv shaft. They said they didn't.

This shop is a well established "mom n pop" spring and alignment place. I've had luck in the past with my ranger on two different occasions and am surprised they lied. I've told a couple of coworker's about my issue in the last two days and they were surprised too, one even said "they'll make it right, don't worry."

The older (pop) guy said I chose a higher than normal setting (2.25" groove) and they have seen spacers come in at 2.5" and said I must have been mistaken on my height guess. I shot that down by saying all the settings they can be. He's also "never seen this style"...

As of now, my lines are capped and disconnected and I'm treating it like a live axle. I priced an IWE tonight and am looking at $148/side. It's not a hard job to do from what I've heard. However I can also buy the RCD IWE delete kit for $200. Do I deal with the chance the vacuum could fail again or do I turn it into a deleted truck? They both involve the same amount of labour.

I had my ranger for 7-8 years and had no issues with the permanantly engaged front axle, nothing was replaced. The only problem I had was I accidentally put a hole in a boot when I was changing my broken coil about 6 months before I traded it in. Previously I had no noises, clicking or popping.


Back to my f150. Im happy with the height, the ride is stiff but it's expected. I can't wait to get my tires next week. Pics will follow, I can post leveled with a 275/55r20 but it looks goofy as hell in my opinion. I can also post pics of the end cap to get opinions on it.

 

It's not letting me post pics. I don't get t.

 

I just went through this on my truck. I thought I did the Bilstein install right but I messed up the IWE on the drivers side. I had a similar price for a replacement locally, I ended up getting one off Amazon with Prime for almost half. I replaced it myself and it took less than a couple hours taking my time.

 

I'm guessing a backyard mechanic can change it out with a jack, some basic tools and on a Sunday afternoon?

 

First thing to do is get out your torque wrench and check how tight the axle shaft nuts are. If they are above 25 lbs/ft, it will give you some idea the shop may not be all that competent. It sounds like they may have over tightened the shaft nuts at the very least, and possibly damaged one IWE, or did not get the shaft properly seated in the IWE before tightening the shaft nut.

 

See I thought that too, like I said when I turned the tire it barely rotated. I'm gonna have to check that. I know it's something stupid like 12 or 13 ft-lbs. the previous truck's had a larger nut and required more torque to tighten it down.

 

Pretty much, it's an easy enough swap with a good assortment of deep sockets.

 

https://www.f150forum.com/f72/how-di...m-esof-186872/

I searched IWE delete and that thread came up in my search.

Someone said it's a good read, I'm reading it now.

 

Quick commercial break. After leveling did you guys readjust your headlights?

When I leveled my ranger with a t-bar crank I didn't. I felt the truck was too low to begin with.

 

I did when I leveled my 2011 and 2014, but I could tell those trucks needed the headlights pointed down a little after they were leveled .