So I've had to replace both hubs and the vacuum houses coming from solenoid already this looks very appealing to me....but this is my first 4wd. So I'm a noob how would i activate 4wd and deactivate.....would it be same?

 

What is the difference between those IWE eliminators and just disconnecting the vacuum lines to the IWEs? Without vacuum, the IWEs are engaged, just like those elimator sleeves. What am I missing?

 

Today I disconnected the vacuum hose and just plugged it on both ends to avoid getting water in it and it didn't do anything. Still had the grinding when I went to drive.

 

Try putting it in 4wd high and see if you have grinding, when mine went out i could drive in 4wd high until i got them fixed....they were expensive through ford but they had them in stock and i needed asap

 

I don't get why they stopped using the solenoid with the cover. Looking up the part it stops at 2011. 2012+ they went back to no cover and it's on the Driver's side, not the passenger.

I had water in my actuators on my 2012 also. Seems like the rain cap should have stayed.

 

It is on the driver's side with no rain hood on my 2010.

Edit: how can you tell if there is water in the IWE? If you disconnect the vacuum line, does water leak out?

 

I got a pretty long commute when i drive to work. Rather not drive in 4wd. I already replaced passenger actuator. No luck, No water either. I'm replacing lines next. I wouldn't think it would be the solenoid. But I did notice today that it didn't have a rain cap. Hmmm... But you can't tell if it has water until you take the actuator out I think. Or maybe if you put a vacuum pump on the actuator, it may drain some water out.

 

You can't.
The only thing you can do is remove the vacuum line and blow air through one of the vacuum holes on the actuator.
Not too much pressure or you might blow the bladder though.


My suggestion is to find some rubber hose that fits on the smaller hole and blow through it with your mouth or find something with less pressure than an air compressor.

I took mine completely off the truck and that's how I found out the issue.

Doing it all over again, I probably could have just blew the water out of them and replaced the lines.

 

Let's bump this thread, my understanding is they moved the solenoid from the passenger side to the driver side because the solenoid was getting exposure to water.