Hey guys, haven't posted in this section since I upgraded to a 2016 a couple years ago...Anyway, my dad just bought a 2004 FX4 and has had some bugs he's working out and we need some advice. He was backing out of the driveway and the passengers side ball joint decided to break, making the truck hit the ground. He had to get it out of the road so he forced it to the side and ended up with some fluid leaking after that. He thought it was a brake line, but it was not, it had to be something in the front dif because now both of his IWE's are grinding, they didn't before, and the 4x4 switch acts as if it is dead, nothing happens when it is turned, not even a 4x4 light comes on. Any ideas? Is it feasible that both IWE's go out at that instance, or would it maybe have something to do with the leaking fluid, possibly dif fluid?

 

I think there are a few issues.
Fluid doesn't control IWE as far as I know (even on that model year). I supposed in a somewhat related item, axle half shaft was pull loose, or apart, from the differential. In that, the wheel end is probably wrong.

I don't know what you're going for here but if the is a broken ball joint and now the IWE problem -seems like truck needs to be parked. Inspected and a parts list generated. Regardless, it sounds like the truck is out of service for a short while to make repairs that could be fairly extensive.

As for the shift shift 'acting' dead....well it's possible some wiring was damaged during the incident. However I can't think of any 4x4 engagement electronics at the axle. Add that to the list of things that are out of commission for a while.

 

I'm with you on the IWE not being controlled by fluid, I replaced both on my 05 when I had it. I just thought it was odd that they both worked before the ball joint failed, now both seem to not be working, along with the loss of fluid and dead switch. We ended up having to replace the lower control arm and lower control arm bolts, they were seized and had to be cut off. now we just have to figure out the seal, IWE, and 4x4 selector switch being dead.

 

Does he still have the old style of unshielded vacuum solenoid on the firewall? If so maybe there was water in the vacuum lines.

 

he does... it did rain quite a bit last week, I can check it, but no water came out of the vacuum hose when we remove it at the IWE to. make sure seal was good there...