jamie930

Rock Auto sells the IWE or if you want Tasco Ford has the cheapest IWE

LiftedsKRew

Dorman makes the IWE replacements and they're definitely cheaper than OEM from the dealer.quality might be hit and miss but I haven't had any issues with mine so far

DkBlueFX4

I replaced my passenger side for $134 through the local NAPA.

dolphinsnum1fan

So now I don't know if it is the wheel hub assembly or the IWE itself I need to replace. I don't want to dump a lot of money into this I do not need to.

DkBlueFX4

I would check to see if you have vacuum at the iwe lock out. There should be no vacuum in 2wd, but should have vacuum in 4wd. If there's no vacuum the problems either iwe problem at the wheel end or the solenoid on the firewall. There could be water in your vacuum lines to. I think there was a TSB on the iwe solenoids because they allow water in your vacuum lines, there's a little hood over the replacement to deflect water. Or jack up your trucks front end and grab your tire at 12 and 6 and try and shake it top to bottom. If there is play in your tire your hub assembly is bad and likely making the noise.

dolphinsnum1fan

Also why is this grinding random? I tried to have a guy look at it and it didn't do it. Then I drove the truck all day and nothing. It is completely random and it's driving me nuts!

LiftedsKRew

You need to read the links that 60DRB posted above and that way you will understand how the 4x4 system works on these trucks. If you lose vacuum for whatever reason, whether it is worn out iwes, leaky vacuum lines or check valves, or the solenoid, front wheel hubs will try to engage and that results in the grinding noise you may be hearing. You lose manifold vacuum whenever you step on the throttle, which could explain why your noise is random and not constant. Let off the gas, the vacuum is replenished and your problem goes away for the time being. Thoroughly diagnose your system before you spend any money. I now have a backup solenoid that I didn't need as it was the easiest solution but not what was actually faulty. The threads will help you out and keep you from guessing.

dolphinsnum1fan

Thanks I already tried the vacuum but I guess we didn't see if it was leaking we just put pressure on it and it held because everything turned like it was suppose to. Now I just have a problem of finding a good person to go to and not a dealer. The guy I brought it to wasn't familiar with this setup and watched a YouTube video to do the vacuum test.

dolphinsnum1fan

so a quick update on this situation is i replaced the solinoid and it is still making the noise. i did find out that i can make the noise happen if i floor it and get it to go to like 3000 RPM at like 50 MPH it will make the sound. as soon as i let of the gas it goes away. Thursday we are going to chase the vacuum lines to see if i have a leak in one of the lines from the solinod down. last step is replace the IWE but i don't want to do that yet.

dolphinsnum1fan

well we checked the vacuum lines and everything was good so we changed the IWE on the driver side and by the looks of the old one i thought this would fix the problem. the old IWE was rusted and had half a seal missing. this did not fix the problem and now when i shift into 4WD it grinds before actually locking in. 4WD drive works but i never had it grind like that before. I have a Appt with the Ford dealer tomorrow and i am just going to have them take a look at it and tell them what i have done so far and see what the hell this problem is. this is extremely frustrating right now and making me regret buying a Ford.