av8roc

I'm willing to bet money it's not the transfer case and the problem is in the IWE system. Even if the hubs are engaging and disengaging I suspect that there is a vacuum leak somewhere and under a load one of the hubs is trying to engage when the vacuum pressure drops too low.

You can get ahold of a simple vacuum hand pump for $35, less from Harbor freight. Its a pretty simple system to trouble shoot. Worth spending some an hour or two before you give it to a tranny guy.

Just my opinion.

Good luck getting it fixed.

dhodges45

Just curious but if you lose vacuum the hubs would engage correct? The vacuum keeps the hubs from engaging. The noise I am hearing is when I engage the hubs and it sounds like its coming from under my back seat. The sound I heard when I put the bad solenoid on definitely came from the front passenger side hub as I got out and turned it by hand and could hear the hub as I turned it. With the old solenoid back on I didn't get the noise from the hubs but still got the same noise from under the truck... Just doesn't make sense.

05 4x4 Triton

This was my thought exactly. My brother had this exact problem on his 06 lariat and luckily it was under warranty. He ended up having the transfer case motor replaced. That sounds like your problem to me although you seem to think that's not the problem

dhodges45

Well I borrowed a vacuum gage and and did the test and I'm getting a steady 21 psi on all the lines when its in 2wd. I jack it completely off of the ground with jack stands and tried the 4wd that way and the passenger side wheel won't turn but the drivers side does and I'm getting the grinding noise there with it off of the ground so I'm thinking now its probably the IWE??? What do you think?

av8roc

Vacuum test the actuator on both sides.

chris shadrix

Not trying to steal you thread but My 4wd isn't working either but my lights won't come on and it won't gear Down it just stays in 2wd what could it be?

av8roc

Sounds like the solenoid. Read that link I posted above.. It will show you how to troubleshoot the system.

dhodges45

Got it fixed. I ended up taking the front right wheel off and checking the vacuum there. Everything was fine. I took the caliper and rotor off and then took the dust cap and nut off of the hub and pulled it thinking I could maybe see some metal shavings or something. I also took off the bolts to the IWE once I got it off all I could see was that everything looked fine. I took my air compressor with low pressure and put it on the vacuum tube attachment for the IWE and pressurized it and could see it move. At this point I was at a loss. Anyway I decided I would have to take it to someone, so I packed the hub full of grease and put everything back together and drove it to make sure I was able to take it to the mechanic and guess what. It works... I guess the IWE was stuck and either the compressed air or grease (prob both) got it working again. What a pain but def cheaper than the alternative...

av8roc

Good deal bro, yeah I figured it was the actuator.

dhodges45

Ok, I'm about to come unglued on this one! Now that I got it to go in 4WD it will lock in and come out. Then I get on the hwy and head into town and there is a growling sound coming from the front end. I jack it up again and when its in 2WD the right front axle isn't disengaging. The left front will spin freely and lock it when switched over. The right locks in when switched to 4WD and the when disengaged the axle still spins. I guess the IWE is bad. I am getting the correct vacuum pressure everywhere I check. I've checked the solenoid, all the check valves, vacuum at the hub and all are correct. I guess I am going to have to fork out some cash before the entire front end gets %$&*# up from the axle turning everything while at hwy speed... Anyone know the part number for the IWE and the Half Shaft?