I am getting a random grinding noise when I keep a steady 55-60 mph. By random, I mean it doesnt happen all the time. I have noticed that it happens more often when I go up a slight grade.
When I take my foot off the accelerator it goes away. It seems to be only when I keep the acceleration steady and I dont seem to be losing any power when it happens.
The grinding noise almost sounds like a loose metal plate or something. You can actually feel it in the floorboard (both driver and pax side). I dont really know how to explain it any better. It definitely sounds like metal.
I'm also experiencing a similar problem with my 2006 SCrew 4x4. I bought it new and it now has 54K unabusive miles on it. I've heard this noise a few times now when driving on normal road conditions in 2wd. The grinding noise only lasts for a second or two and goes away. It sounds like it's coming from the front of the truck and makes me think the 4wd is trying to engage itself on its own.
I see someone has mentioned IWE. What does that stand for?
The first time I took it in they heard the sound but didnt know what it was. I was told by the service rep. that the mechanic "tightened some stuff up" underneath and test drove it again and didn't hear the sound.
I took it in yesterday, they test drove it and didnt hear the sound. So they did nothing. Thats just great! I even mentioned that I found some information about the vacuum lines and the IWE solenoid on a forum. The service rep was suprised and said that the problem I was talking about usually only happens on the older (04-05) F150s.
After hearing that he knew about the problem I figured they would be able to fix it or at least know there is a problem with that particular area. I thought wrong....
Banshee Rider - At least yours is still under warranty. You might want to consider taking it to another dealer if you have one close.
So far my truck rarely makes the noise, a total of 3 times in the past 2 weeks. I know if I take it in it won't make the noise for anyone else (just my luck). I've taken my front wheels off and checked the vacuum lines the best I could without finding any problems. I checked with a couple of local parts stores (Autozone and Advanced Auto) to find out how much the IWE solenoid will cost me and they didn't have any listings for that part. I also have a Haynes Repair Manual for my truck but it doesn't have anything in it about the IWE. I guess I'll have to check with the dealer ($$$). I don't mind fixing the problem I just suck at diagnosing things. I wonder if the most common problem is the IWE solenoid or the actuators in the wheels that I've heard mentioned (Does anybody know)?
I think more people have problems with the IWE solenoid than the IWE ends themselves. The IWE ends usually are the second thing to go, mainly because the truck gets drove with the IWE's grinding until the ends are ruined. A quick test to see if it is an IWE problem is when you hear the grinding noise shift the truck in 4wd and if the noise goes way youhve a problem with the IWE system. The early models had an IWE solenoid that didn't have a shield over it and when water runs down the windshield it goes under the cowl and drips right on the solenoid, which eventually ruins it. The solenoids aren't too expensive, I think around $20 or $30 bucks. The IWE ends are pretty expensive though, if the problem gets worse or your worried about damaging them I would unhook the vacuum lines from the IWE ends, then cap the lines and ports on the wheel ends with tape, then the IWE's will be locked in all the time and you won't cause any more damage to them.
I think more people have problems with the IWE solenoid than the IWE ends themselves. The IWE ends usually are the second thing to go, mainly because the truck gets drove with the IWE's grinding until the ends are ruined. A quick test to see if it is an IWE problem is when you hear the grinding noise shift the truck in 4wd and if the noise goes way youhve a problem with the IWE system. The early models had an IWE solenoid that didn't have a shield over it and when water runs down the windshield it goes under the cowl and drips right on the solenoid, which eventually ruins it. The solenoids aren't too expensive, I think around $20 or $30 bucks. The IWE ends are pretty expensive though
spot on. if your truck is doing this, fix it immediately. otherwise you are looking at a pretty big repair bill to fix both of the front hubs (IWE)
Quote:
Originally Posted by fordman19762003
if the problem gets worse or your worried about damaging them I would unhook the vacuum lines from the IWE ends, then cap the lines and ports on the wheel ends with tape, then the IWE's will be locked in all the time and you won't cause any more damage to them.
don't do that. these hubs are pretty much just like the 4x4 hubs of old. they work fine for low speeds and short distances.
but leave them locked in for long distances and you'll ruin them. Only Dodge has full time hubs
Thanks for the input. I went to the dealer today and talked with a parts guy for a few minutes. He told me that 95% of the problems as I described to him were with the IWE solenoid. I went ahead and bought a new one (about $45). The install is easy for anyone who hasn't messed with one. It clips on the firewall directly behind the battery on the 2006. It has one electrical plug-in type connection and two vacuum lines that attach to it. Takes less than a minute. If I drive it for a week or so and it doesn't make the noise anymore I'll feel confident that was the problem.
??? no idea. my 06 doesn't have the shield as has been described...and I've never seen one. my understanding is that it's a "L" shaped piece of metal/plastic to keep water off the top.
A quick test to see if it is an IWE problem is when you hear the grinding noise shift the truck in 4wd and if the noise goes way youhve a problem with the IWE system.
I'd like to try that but mine only seems to do it at 55-60 mph. I dont think its a good idea to shift into 4X at that speed. The max you are supposed to shift into 4X4 is 40mph, right?
Let me know if that solenoid fixed your problem...I will go down and pick one up...$45 isnt too bad. I just don't want it to get worse.
So far the replacement of the IWE (integrated wheel ends) solenoid has solved my problem. I replaced it on Oct. 10th and haven't had any issues.
I washed the truck the other day and opened the hood after I finished. The IWE solenoid was wet. I fabricated a little shield over it so maybe this one won't be damaged by water.
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