Hello,

I have the grinding problem on the passenger side wheel that I've been reading up on this forum.

Two years ago I had the same problem on the driver side and I replaced the hub which cured the problem. So I replaced the hub on the passenger side today and it did not cure the problem. After more investigating on this site, it seems as though it could be my IWE.

Problem is I won't have time to fix it right away and need to drive my truck over Xmas about 500 km's. If I leave it in 4Hi, there is no grinding so there won't be any gears wearing out, but probably not good to drive that way on dry highway.

I've also read but don't fully understand that some guys have disconnected the vacuum and kept the truck in 2WD so that the hubs are locked and don't grind and the truck is still in 2WD but not 4WD. Can anyone explain how this is done? And would this be better for highway driving than just keeping the truck in 4-Hi?

Thanks.

 

I should also note that I've been in 4WD the last two weeks due to heavy snowfall and icy roads in the city.

 

The IWE vacuum solenoid is on the passenger side firewall behind the battery. It acts as a vacuum switch, disengaging the IWEs. One of the vacuum lines will go to a vacuum source, either the passenger side intake manifold or near the brake booster- I don't remember. Anyway, disconnect that and find a way to cap both ends off. That should engage the IWEs and lock the front wheels to the half shafts. Your transfer case will still be unlocked, so you will not be in 4WD but it will work if you switch to 4x4 if needed. It's possible the IWEs will still grind, in which case nothing short of replacing an IWE will fix it. If it's not grinding now in 4WD it will be fine once you remove vacuum. You can replace an IWE in an hour with the proper tools- very easy to do.

Yes, disconnecting the vacuum, which locks the half shafts to the front wheels, is easier on the truck than staying in 4x4, especially when going around corners.

 

Thanks VTX, sent a pm.