Hey everyone, I've searched and found nothing. I've had to get the IWE assembly replaced every year on the same side (drivers side). I'm wondering if anyone else has had a major issue with it. It always come around in January/February during the coldest months. Same symptoms too. 4x4 will engage, with a ton of "whinning" once engaged, under power I can hear a grinding type noise. I've replaced it twice now, once under warranty and once out of pocket. The last time I had it replaced, I had the sounds come back within the month, of course dealership could not re-create the sound this time. That was last year. Now again, same thing. Any ideas??
I'm running a lift and 35's, but had this problem when the truck was stock as well.


Thanks for any help.
DG

 

Shouldnt ot be covered by a 12 month 12k mile warranty. If your dealer replaced it?

 

This video may be of some help. Good luck

 

When mine go, I'm going to install the eliminator kit. There is absolutely no reason for "automatic hubs" on a modern pickup truck. I think Ford is the only company still doing this.

 

This what your talking about?

http://www.rcvperformance.com/produc...spx?sku=IWE-FD

 

I have had both sides replaced multiple times over the last two years on my 2012 in the winter, usually after a cold snap each winter. I also had the front differential bearings fail, which the dealer said was caused by the IWE failing on one side. I am hoping there is a long term cure for this as I have the noise again after both were replaced two weeks ago. I hope the Ford customer service person on this forum will be of help.

 

Yep that's it. I don't know how much replacing an IWE costs but that $195 eliminator kit would likely pay for itself over the life of the truck. The only potential issue is that it's rumored that Ford doesn't balance the front driveshaft on these trucks. I'm not sure if that's true or not.

 

Hi Cheesehead5900,

I recently responded to your private message. What is your current mileage? I'll see how I can help keep the wheels rolling.

Chad

 

I'm not sure where you live but my unscientific theory is with the extreme cold (I'm in North Dakota) condensation can build up in the IWE's and freezes up when parked. When you go to engage 4x4, the ice blocks the IWE's teeth from fully engaging thus causing the grinding/failure of the unit. The only time I've had issues with my IWE's on my truck and work trucks is in the cold.

I've noticed if I get the truck up to temp, work the brakes some, then engage the 4x4 I don't have grinding issues. I think it's due to the IWE's heating up enough to thaw any ice from condensation.

 

So this is one of the more recent thread, figured I'd ask here. So did my leveling kit yesterday and now I have the grinding going on. Pretty sure we over torqued the hub nut. : / In the videos he said there is a way of replacing without vacuum.at 16:00-17:25 He starts spinning the rotor but I'm not sure what he means. Is the whole thing to spin or not? Also is 4wd supposed to be engaged during this? Last question, if I did it was vacuum pressure, how would I go about that? Any help would be appreciated.