Hey all,
I replaced the vac solenoid on my 06 scab 4x4 to the new style with the rain hood on it. In the process of checking for vac line leaks I blew up the vac resevoir box thats located behind the battery. I replaced it this past Sunday here in Illinois when the weather was decent and about 57 out side. I backed out of the garage and checked to see if the fronts would pull themselves in the gravel and they did. Thought I finally had it fixed. It got cold again yesterday, about 28,thought I'd try it again and the fronts wouldn't engage. I figure like you guys had said before that water had ran down my vac lines and is freezing up in the IWE's. I've looked underneath and can't tell where to unhook the vac lines at the hubs to clear the lines. Are they different on an 06 than the earlier models? Do I need to take the tires off and go in from the outside to clear any water out that is in there. I've put manual lockouts on a couple of 80's trucks but haven't seen the inside of a newer model hub. What should I look for or expect if I have to go in from the outside in
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the vacuum lines attach to the IWE just behind the steering knuckle. there are 2 on each hub. if your getting water inside the IWE's, then probably the best way to dry them is to remove the knuckle, and use a heat gun or hair drier to dry them out once they are exposed enough.

 

The dealer tech used a hand vac pump to get the moisture out of mine, all we did is turn the wheel to one side at a time and there was room to access the lines. I ended up having the seals behind the IWE's replaced almost a month ago and all has been fine since.

 

thats a good idea...... and it brings up a good point.... i wonder what condition your hub seals are in......

 

does my 07 have the new style vac lines???

 

Yes I think your 07 has the vac lines. I figured out how and where to check them and I now think they are o.k. and its in the trans case motor

 

how do i check mine?

 

My 2004 F150 makes a loud grinding noise when I put it in 4 wheel drive. The noise comes from the Left hub and is mostly if I put it in 4 wheel drive at a stop and then give it gas. I am think the vac is working fine since it makes no noise when in 2 wheel drive. I had it at the dealer where I purchased the truck (not a Ford Dealer) and they told me thats how they made them and you need to be moving or rock the truck to get them to lock. Sound dumb to me if you get stuck in 2 wheel drive I guess your done for I told him. I thought you can put in 4X4 0-45 mph. Anyway my question is does the hub sound like the problem or could it be vac?

 

Mine don't have to be moving to lock/unlock. Sounds like that IWE has knashed its teeth too much and won't engage properly.