2004 f150 4x4 problem
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 61
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From: michigan
2004 f150 4x4 problem
I have a 2004 F150 with 40,000 miles. I was driving home from work the other day and noticed a high pitched noise (almost grinding) coming from the passenger side front. I thought it was the brakes, but it was not. I have the 4x4 switch on the dash. I switched it to 4x4 high just to see if the noise would change @ 30 mph and it did. it completely stopped. I drove anouther 5 miles and shut it off (4x4)and everything was fine. the next day it started doing it again right away from the start. I had to switch it in and out of 4x4 to finally get it to stop,two or three times. For two days in a row it has not acted up at all?? any ideas or for see any big problems??
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
sounds like your hub is actuating partially and when you switch to 4x4 it makes the hub stop acting up. unfortunately, I'd say the dealer is your best bet right now. These new trucks are so tech intensive, I'd be scared to play with hubs like you could in the old trucks.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 425
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From: Ottawa, Canada
I have the same problem. I thought it was related to the IWE solenoid(integrated wheel ends) but the tech at Ford says it's some motor in the transfer case that switches the truck into 4x4. Every time I brang it in for the noise they couldn't duplicate the problem. So I called around and found a dealer that knew the exact noise I was trying to discribe. I'll let you know when it finally gets fixed next week. My warranty is almost up!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 143
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From: Sand Dune, CA
i posted this reply in 60 K service:
i believe the "racheting" sound is coming from your "auto locking hubs." the sound should go away when you engage the front axle. the hubs use vacuum to engage the front wheels - the diaphram inside the hub seems to go bad over time. ford has redesigned these hubs 3 times now so make sure you get the current version.
i believe the "racheting" sound is coming from your "auto locking hubs." the sound should go away when you engage the front axle. the hubs use vacuum to engage the front wheels - the diaphram inside the hub seems to go bad over time. ford has redesigned these hubs 3 times now so make sure you get the current version.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 425
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From: Ottawa, Canada
Originally Posted by FX4dude
i posted this reply in 60 K service:
i believe the "racheting" sound is coming from your "auto locking hubs." the sound should go away when you engage the front axle. the hubs use vacuum to engage the front wheels - the diaphram inside the hub seems to go bad over time. ford has redesigned these hubs 3 times now so make sure you get the current version.
i believe the "racheting" sound is coming from your "auto locking hubs." the sound should go away when you engage the front axle. the hubs use vacuum to engage the front wheels - the diaphram inside the hub seems to go bad over time. ford has redesigned these hubs 3 times now so make sure you get the current version.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: michigan
Thanks to everyone, good thing I got an extended warranty!! I will update after it is repaired.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Had the exact same problem on my 05 FX4. Actually on the 04 on up four wheel drive F 150's the vacuum keeps the front hubs disengaged. When the **** on the dash is turned to 4 hi or low the vacuum is removed letting the front hubs engage.
What happened to mine was it had moisture in the lines from the factory and the corrosion prevented the vacuum pressure from holding the hubs from engagement thus making the whining or grinding noise. Could put truck in 4 wheel low and back to 2 wheel hi and the noise would go away for about 1/2 mile and then come back. Luckily they replaced both front hubs containing the corrosion. Problem fixed. After warranty ran out 4 wheel drive would no engage at all. Luckily it was documented that this problem was intermittent from day one. It was the motor actuator on the transfer case. Removed and replaced motor. That problem fixed also. Still works at 52k miles.
Hope I did not jinx myself. Any way. Hope this helps some people.
What happened to mine was it had moisture in the lines from the factory and the corrosion prevented the vacuum pressure from holding the hubs from engagement thus making the whining or grinding noise. Could put truck in 4 wheel low and back to 2 wheel hi and the noise would go away for about 1/2 mile and then come back. Luckily they replaced both front hubs containing the corrosion. Problem fixed. After warranty ran out 4 wheel drive would no engage at all. Luckily it was documented that this problem was intermittent from day one. It was the motor actuator on the transfer case. Removed and replaced motor. That problem fixed also. Still works at 52k miles.
Hope I did not jinx myself. Any way. Hope this helps some people.
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Grinding noise
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 308
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From: Michigan
Originally Posted by air1jpg
I ocassionlly hear the same grinding noise at engine startup on my 06 FX4, but only briefly. Could I be having the same problem with my hubs or transfer case?
Believe it or not, the noise may be caused by your oil filter. Try a Motorcraft filter if you don't already have one on there. What you are hearing is probably a dry startup condition caused by an ineffective antidrainback valve in the oil filter. I have experienced this when the dealer has used a cheap filter. If the truck is not used for an extended period (a day let's say), I may get a noise like you have described. Try a Motorcraft filter and let us know how it goes.
New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4
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Originally Posted by kdbbmanton
I have a 2004 F150 with 40,000 miles. I was driving home from work the other day and noticed a high pitched noise (almost grinding) coming from the passenger side front. I thought it was the brakes, but it was not. I have the 4x4 switch on the dash. I switched it to 4x4 high just to see if the noise would change @ 30 mph and it did. it completely stopped. I drove anouther 5 miles and shut it off (4x4)and everything was fine. the next day it started doing it again right away from the start. I had to switch it in and out of 4x4 to finally get it to stop,two or three times. For two days in a row it has not acted up at all?? any ideas or for see any big problems??
What was the fix- my truck just started doing this -
Thanks
New User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
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i am having this problem now.but Jp2665 said that the vacum lines hold the hubs disengaged but I think that is wrong.i had it to the garage and my 4x4 wasnt working and it was because the vacum lines were unplugged from the hubs.hooked them back up and they worked,but now every now and again they self engage and i cant figure out why.I wish some one had an answer
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 662
Likes: 2
From: CO
The vacuum most definitely disengages the IWE's. If yours started working after plugging the vacuum lines back in, it had to be conicidence.
Prove it to yourself. With the engine running and the truck in 2wd, the IWE's will be disengaged and you can turn the half shafts by hand. Turn the engine off, the IWE's will engage, and the half shafts will not turn.
Your problem could be the vacuum solenoid not opening properly or leaky vacuum lines.
Prove it to yourself. With the engine running and the truck in 2wd, the IWE's will be disengaged and you can turn the half shafts by hand. Turn the engine off, the IWE's will engage, and the half shafts will not turn.
Your problem could be the vacuum solenoid not opening properly or leaky vacuum lines.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 1
From: Canton, IL
Originally Posted by air1jpg
I ocassionlly hear the same grinding noise at engine startup on my 06 FX4, but only briefly. Could I be having the same problem with my hubs or transfer case?
Originally Posted by FS-150
Not unless you are moving.
Believe it or not, the noise may be caused by your oil filter. Try a Motorcraft filter if you don't already have one on there. What you are hearing is probably a dry startup condition caused by an ineffective antidrainback valve in the oil filter. I have experienced this when the dealer has used a cheap filter. If the truck is not used for an extended period (a day let's say), I may get a noise like you have described. Try a Motorcraft filter and let us know how it goes.
Believe it or not, the noise may be caused by your oil filter. Try a Motorcraft filter if you don't already have one on there. What you are hearing is probably a dry startup condition caused by an ineffective antidrainback valve in the oil filter. I have experienced this when the dealer has used a cheap filter. If the truck is not used for an extended period (a day let's say), I may get a noise like you have described. Try a Motorcraft filter and let us know how it goes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 1
From: Canton, IL
Originally Posted by VFR_Man
The vacuum most definitely disengages the IWE's. If yours started working after plugging the vacuum lines back in, it had to be conicidence.
Prove it to yourself. With the engine running and the truck in 2wd, the IWE's will be disengaged and you can turn the half shafts by hand. Turn the engine off, the IWE's will engage, and the half shafts will not turn.
Your problem could be the vacuum solenoid not opening properly or leaky vacuum lines.
Prove it to yourself. With the engine running and the truck in 2wd, the IWE's will be disengaged and you can turn the half shafts by hand. Turn the engine off, the IWE's will engage, and the half shafts will not turn.
Your problem could be the vacuum solenoid not opening properly or leaky vacuum lines.
Would you have effectively locked the front hubs all the time? If so, that would decrease gas mileage from the increased drag on the drivetrain.
I wonder how many people would have bad IWE's and it only shows up as decreased MPGs.
Now, that said, would that screw up the TC? would I still be able to shift in to 4HI with no noise or damage?