Hi,

I was having a grinding nose coming from my front drivers side wheel that disappeared when 4x4 was engaged. After a quick search online, I have discovered it is likely my vacuum lines or IWE solenoid. I am camping and need to make it back home so I have disconnected the vacuum lines from the wheel hub. My question is while I was disconnecting the line, on the passengers side I found the line was already off and quite a chuck taken out of the line. Should I have any concerns with that hub being stripped as I don't know how long the hose was off since I have had the truck while engaging and disengaging 4x4 through winter. I don't know how long the drivers side was grinding as it is finally warm enough here to have the windows rolled down. I was thinking of replacing the IWE solenoid, the vacuum lines and visually checking the hubs but is there anything I should be looking for other than the obvious filings and teeth worn off the hub?

Thanks for your advice,
Ryan

 

I understand that this may also contribute to lower gas mileage if the hub is engaged due to loss of vacuum as I have felt as though I was driving into a 100kph headwind a lot of times due to the extra effort required to turn more components. Am I completely off base?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

Don't disconnect the lines at the hub. That will suck water and dirt into the system and clog the solenoid and check valves. Instead, pull the electrical off the solenoid on the firewall behind the battery. That will allow the hubs to remain engaged and the vacuum system sealed (close off your damaged line). You will lose a little gas mileage because you are now turning both half shafts and the differential, but you won't be in (and won't be able to use) 4WD because the transfer case is still unlocked. This will save your IWEs and hubs from taking further damage and should eliminate any grinding noises.

https://www.f150forum.com/f72/how-di...72/?styleid=14

 

If that vacuum line has a chunk out right at the IWE you can trim it with a knife to clean it up and reconnect it to avoid sucking up water and dust.

That one line being off was likely your issue.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am interested to see if my mileage will increase much once I get it fixed as I have likely been running with one hose off for quite some time. Hopefully there hasn't been too much damage done in the meantime.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

Sadly, the chunk missing is a couple inches up the line. It is a clean crescent moon shaped cut down the side of the hose about 1.5 inches long. Not quite sure how it would have happened but it would appear the entire hose will need to be replaced unless they come apart in sections and I can replace just the length in the wheel well.

Anyways, certainly looking forward to improved MPG once fixed.

Ryan

 

Hose probably got loose and the tire wore a hole in it.

 

Sounds like something hit the hose, pulled it off and cut it.

Cut the hose clean at the cut and plug it with a bolt, golf tee, etc on the truck side.