Well I just bought this 04' f150 fx4 about a week and a half ago, and today when pulling out of my driveway down the road, I started hearing a grinding type noise coming out the front end, it went away up the road. So ok it fixed itself maybe? ha yeah not my luck. I just came back from being out and as I was driving it all the sudden started doing it again, at that point im thinking hub or something... so back off the gas, engaged the 4x4 and it went away, then disengaged it and the noise did not come back again yet. What in the world is this??? Im thinking a hub issue or something?

 

Probably a bad IWE solenoid.

 

Not to sound stupid but what is that? Ya know now that I think about it, dont know if it has anything to do with anything but I was hear a like a clicking sound, like a relay or solenoid? tripping back and forth before hand

 

Ok, now that I have done a little searching, I see these trucks had an issue with that solenoid, especially when the get wet, and that is when this has started occurring, it rained all night last night and it did it this morn. It then poured again this afternoon and the noise happened again. So where is this solenoid located?? How do I find and replace? thanks

 

It engages the hubs for 4wd.When the solenoid goes bad or looses vacuum it tries engaging the hubs while in 2wd (but not successfully) causing the grinding noise.It may also be a bd vacuum line but more likely the solenoid.

 

had the same problem, was a slow leak in the vacume line

 

Hi guys...

So the IWE causes grinding when bad. What exactly is grinding?

My truck is at the dealer right now getting the IWE replaced. I would like to get whatever was grinding replaced as well.

Thanks!

-Chuck