Hey everyone,

I have a 2005 f150 lariat 5.4 4x4 and am having a problem with my 4 wheel drive! It is making a noise which sounds like a ratchet spinning when I'm driving down the road on the right front side in 2wd it goes away if i put it in 4wd. So I took it to ford and found out about the solenoid problem "I think he said it was a ewi" so rather than paying ford $200 to replace and yes that was what they were going to charge I went to NAPA and picked the part up for $19.99 it has the new rain cover over the solenoid and installed it myself! I took it for a drive and less than 100yrds it started making the sound again!!! So if you have any sugestions please let me know! Oh yeah the ford mech said that he checked to see if there were any vacum leaks and he said there were none if that helps. I could use some help please thanks!

 

sounds like you should have paid ford to do it lol

 

Sounds to me like he made a good choice. You can't really install an IWE wrong. I ended up replacing the vacumn lines and it fixed this on mine.

 

Coastie, Read through this link for trouble shooting. You already replaced the solenoid, which is where most people start as it's the cheapest part and easiest to replace.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/836438-everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-iwe-system-and-then-some.html
The dealer was refering to "IWE'. Those are on the inside of each front wheel, and are vacuum DE-activated. They are not too hard to replace if you have average mechanical skills. You can get the IWEs online for about $80 apiece (they are a "Ford only" part), from Tasca or Silverstate, etc.
How to:
http://www.f150online.com/forums/2004-2008-f-150/360269-iwes-removal-replacing.html

The second link has pictures and a tool list too.

 

Thanks for the great link I know what I'm going to be doing the hot sat!! lol

 

So no luck on finding the problem!! New vacuum lines no leaks still doing the same thing except now it's worse louder than before. I guess next thing will be actuators any one know any good places to get them cheap?

 

have you tried a vacuum leak down test yourself? the tester will cost about 10.00, and if you hook it directly to each IWE actuator, pump it up and see if it holds a vacuum. if i remember correctly, a brand new actuator will be fully compressed with about 5" of vacuum. when your truck is running, you should be applying about 20-22". again, your tester will confirm that.

some leak down is acceptable for the actuator. however, it shouldnt drastically drop. it sounds like you possibly have issues there. i had to change both of mine a couple years ago. you can get them online much cheaper than most local dealers. go to www.directfordparts.com. they cost about 86.00 each. pull up your truck info, and they are listed under "front drve axle/drive axles/locking hub/actuator"

also, until you get the problem figured out, i would recommend that you drive in 4wd. you dont want to ruin a hub in the process of driving with a faulty actuator.

they are easy to change. based on your thread title, i assume your in the Coast Guard. do you have a mwr/hobby shop where you are? if you arent comfortable changing them out, grab a buddy. i am an MK, so it was pretty straight forward... im sure someone there could help. you will have to remove the brake assembly, pull off rotor, and then unbolt the CV shaft from the hub. then, pop the upper ball joint, and you will be able to maneuver the actuator out without taking the steering knuckle off the truck. it just takes the right touch, but will go.

anyhow, good luck, and let us know if you have any more questions.