Hey,

I'm new to the forum, struggling with some IWE issues and hoping someone might be able to help me out.

I have a 2007 4.6 XLT crew cab short bed and 4x4 was working great. After one long winter drive I noticed more noise then normal coming from the driver side front wheel. I was also driving through the snow/slush, hoped that was the source of the sound. I pretended I didn't hear it, turned up the radio and drove it home.

Next day it turned out I had vacuum / IWE issues, passenger side wheel tried to engage 4x4 and everything got chewed up. I ordered a new IWE and hub for the drivers side, installed everything and it's engaging and disengaging perfectly. I tested 4x4 and 2x4 with the front wheel off the ground, engine running any everything worked great.

But when I test drive the truck I get an awful grinding noise from the driver side front as soon as I drive any faster then around 15-20 mph.

So I expect a vacuum issue, bought a vacuum pump/tester and got busy. What I discovered so far is that the new drivers side IWE is holding vacuum/pressure. But when I try to pressurize both IWE's directly from the solenoid I have a leak. It's not even close to holding any pressure. I discovered the passenger side IWE is not holding pressure. When I connect the vacuum pump directly to the thicker port on the IWE. This is the side that never gave me any trouble, strange noises or issues.

With the engine running and in 2wd I definitely have vacuum on the rubber hoses connected to the IWE on both sides. It does seem like a little less vacuum on the drives side, but I might be imagining that.

So I guess I'm buying another IWE and hub for the other side as well.

Do you think my conclusion is correct, can the passenger side IWE be the source of the issues with the drivers side? Maybe the passenger side is so far chewed up that I don't even hear it grind anymore? I never noticed any noises from that side. It just seems a little strange to me, curious what your thoughts are.

Thanks,

Rob

 

My guess - Passenger side IWE is engaged, due to that fact that it is leaking and thus no noise. Drivers side is trying to engage due to low vacuum caused by passenger side leak. I would replace passenger side IWE and see if problem still exists.

 

I just went through "IWE Hell", and agree on the other side. Also make sure you have a strong vacuum signal, the vacuum check valves are working.

I also had a front bearing hub go bad, so the IWE assy would never seal to the axle. Give that a very strong look.