Hello everyone. I have a 2011 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 with about 147k miles. After moving across the country with it recently - towing about 9000 lbs - I started getting the dreaded scraping metal sound. I had no idea what it was at first but after doing some research I found its related to the vacuum leak and the IWE system not fully engaging/disengaging. The truck does still shift into 4x4 just fine and the noise goes away when you do. But once you shift back to 4x2 and anytime you put a ny amount of load on the accelerator it makes the dreaded sound. I'm no mechanic but again I did research this and found that I may be lucky and be able to simply replace the 4wd locking hub solenoid - like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/4wd-Hub-Loc...53.m1438.l2649 and it might fix it . However I just recently noticed that I can no longer adjust my the climate controls either - between defrost, floor, or vents. Its stuck on vents. I'm pretty sure its all related. Given that additional issue, would that one part potential fix that as well or am I looking at a bigger issue? I would appreciate any input or thoughts on this. I want to get this fixed soon as the noise is driving me crazy. I'm hoping its not hurting anything either. I don't drive the truck unless I have to as I'm not certain.

Thanks!

 

Considering that you lost other functions that are also vacuum controlled, the IWE grinding may just be a symptom and not a cause.

That being said, if it is IWE related, when mine did exactly what you described, minus the vent issue, it turned out to be that the driver side IWE seal was bad and the IWE needed to be replaced. Check for leaks in the lines to the IWEs, check the check valve by pulling it off (keep note of the orientation as it needs to go back on the same way) and see if you can blow through it in one direction. If both, it’s bad and should be replaced.

Hope it is that easy for you as they are easier to replace than chasing down a vacuum leak in the dash.

 

Had the same issue, except mine was so sporadic the dealer couldn't hear and wouldn't fix it.

When I could finally nail the noise down, they replaced the IWE and hub. Noise gone.

Now I have a drag problem on that same wheel I have to diagnose, but the noise is gone!

 

My 2011 XLT was having issues with the IWE. Turned out the vacuum lines to the hubs were very brittle and had broken in several places so I had many vacuum leaks. I replaced the vacuum lines and the problems went away. The lines are not hard to replace, just note how the old ones were routed and install the new the same!!