Hi newbie here, having issues with my 4wd hoping someone can help me out. i have read alot of other threads on here with 4wd issues but cant seem to find one that is the same with mine. here it goes:

04 f150 w/ electronic 4wd. i turn the switch to 4hi and hear the usual noises in the transfer case. light on the gauge cluster comes on. when i put the front end on jack stands and put it in 2wd mode and turn the truck off as i understand the iwe selinoid releases vacum to the iwe actuators causing the fron hubs to lock into 4wd causing the cv shaft to rotate with the tire when it is spun which should be correct? when truck is started, the vacum causes the iwe to disengage alowing the tire to rotate without the cv shaft which also should be correct? and when engine running and switch put into 4hi the selinoid releases vacum causing the wheel and cv to rotate. my passanger side does this. heres my problem. the drivers side tire spins freely without the cv shaft at all times indicated above, even when the engine is off. hoping someone can help me out.

 

Sounds like either a stuck actuator, or a clogged or pinched vacuum line.

 

Sounds like the actuator went bad and chewed the splines up on it

 

I have the same issue. Mine creates a loud noise when im driving while giving it any gas. Once i let go of the pedel, it goes away. It seems like whenever i give it gas, there isnt enough vacume being produced to disengage the i.w.e. But when i let go, it makes enough to pull them apart. Does this sound right? I was thinking it could have something to do with the solenoid also. But it is only messing up on one side just like the guy above said is happening to his. Any help would be apreciated!!

 

I meant to say, replace the actuator. **

 

Thanks for the info fellas. I believe the actuator is bad as well. Anybody know if the front axle is a limited slip as well? Even though my right front wheel locks in and my left will not, when in 4wd, there is no power going to the right wheel meaning if I'm stuck it does not spin.

 

This can happen when the 3 check valves in the vacuum system are bad. The reserve vacuum stored in the vacuum tank is 'bleeding' back into the engine under low vacuum situations (such as giving it gas). This allows the IWE's to partially engage and make that grinding noise.

 

OP,

Most likely you do have a bad IWE. They have a spring and seal which can both fail. It is also [but less likely] possible the hub splines are damaged as mentioned above.

The front differentials on our trucks are not limited slip, whether or not you have a LS rear differential.