Front Hub Problems
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Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 316
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From: Richmond, VA
Front Hub Problems
05' Lariat 4x4. I'll keep it simple. Replaced my hubs a month ago, didn't replace IWEs but noticed teeth were worn and had beveled edges. Have never tested 4x4, tested today (in the snow of course) discover front wheels not engaging. CV's are locking in 4x4 and unlocking in 4x2, but wheel freespins under load and creates a sound similar to playing cards in bicycle spokes. Checked solenoid, discovered it was type w/o rainguard, replaced, issue persists. I'm guessing IWE's are too worn and dirty to fully engage with the hub. Posting cause I'd like a second opinion.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 316
Likes: 16
From: Richmond, VA
I believe everything is working properly, I did do the check with the half shafts going from 4x4 to 4x2 and they worked correctly, so its not the tcase (thank god). I'm still voting on the actual IWEs. When I replaced the hubs, they were very dirty and the teeth were very worn.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2011
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That's why I speced manual hubs and locked them in before I'm going to need 4x4.
But then I'm a control freak so ....
If when you had it apart and cleaned then lubed the system with 'heavy grease' you screwed yourself, I checked the temp in Va, you're in the teens ~ twentys. I'm guessing it doesn't usually get that cold.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 316
Likes: 16
From: Richmond, VA
I didn't use heavy grease, just standard general purpose grease around the bearings. Good buddy of mine thinks this truck was a touch abused, probably shifted into 4x4 while the rear tires were spinning a few times. I'm really hoping I haven't ****ed the teeth in the hub
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
From: Charlton, NY
05' Lariat 4x4. I'll keep it simple. Replaced my hubs a month ago, didn't replace IWEs but noticed teeth were worn and had beveled edges. Have never tested 4x4, tested today (in the snow of course) discover front wheels not engaging. CV's are locking in 4x4 and unlocking in 4x2, but wheel freespins under load and creates a sound similar to playing cards in bicycle spokes. Checked solenoid, discovered it was type w/o rainguard, replaced, issue persists. I'm guessing IWE's are too worn and dirty to fully engage with the hub. Posting cause I'd like a second opinion.
When there is no vacuum applied to the IWE, the half-shaft should be engaged with the hub. If it is not engaged, then the IWE is stripped or frozen.
When vacuum is applied, the IWE should disengage.
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Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 316
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From: Richmond, VA
Well, I pulled my passenger CV joint off yesterday (it needed replacing anyways) and checked the IWE while I was there. It was filled with dirt and crap and the rubber seal was torn and I could barely move it by hand, so this is definitely my problem.
Ted928. IWE was frozen 50/50, so it just barely engages enough to spin the wheel by hand, but not enough to turn the wheel under a load. I believe the seal was good enough for it to retract, but it was so dirty and damaged it wouldn't engage all the way.
Ted928. IWE was frozen 50/50, so it just barely engages enough to spin the wheel by hand, but not enough to turn the wheel under a load. I believe the seal was good enough for it to retract, but it was so dirty and damaged it wouldn't engage all the way.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
From: Charlton, NY
Well, I pulled my passenger CV joint off yesterday (it needed replacing anyways) and checked the IWE while I was there. It was filled with dirt and crap and the rubber seal was torn and I could barely move it by hand, so this is definitely my problem.
Ted928. IWE was frozen 50/50, so it just barely engages enough to spin the wheel by hand, but not enough to turn the wheel under a load. I believe the seal was good enough for it to retract, but it was so dirty and damaged it wouldn't engage all the way.
Ted928. IWE was frozen 50/50, so it just barely engages enough to spin the wheel by hand, but not enough to turn the wheel under a load. I believe the seal was good enough for it to retract, but it was so dirty and damaged it wouldn't engage all the way.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2016
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There's a good chance that your hub assembly gearing is chewed up as well after "card playing" sound on the wheel hub for a couple days. Check that as well before you install a new actuator and destroy it because the hub gearing is bad, then go back and forth replacing the parts one at a time ad infinitum.