Front end/A4WD issue

Hi all,

I have a 1999 Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L with the A4WD (which I don't like AT ALL.) Just before Thanksgiving the front end started acting like it was locking up. I pulled the fuse to disable the A4WD and haven't had any issues since. When I've needed 4WD I just pop the fuse back in and no problem. Until yesterday. I popped it in before going home (big time snowstorm hit us yesterday.) The front end started making a grinding sound and feeling like it was locking up again, so pulled over and removed the fuse, but this time it didn't disengage anything. I limped it to a friend's house and parked it. It almost sounds like there was metal rubbing on metal, but not sure what that would be. I'm not a mechanic, but don't want to get screwed around by one without having an understanding of what might be wrong.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Jill

"accidental duplicate post"

reminds me of a great post I saw on here once regarding the IWE
integrated wheel end .... vacuum lines involved

here's a post but not the one that explains it all
http://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/identifying-front-diff-axle.29047/#post-235171

not something i'm very knowledgeable about so sorry if its a red herring

Sounds like IWEs. Probably need to replace the solenoid and the IWEs themselves. There's an issue with water getting in the vacuum lines and corroding them. The updated solenoid has a water shield that helps prevent this.

One the 99 A4WD system DOES NOT use vacuum

Two the 99 A4WD system DOES NOT have IWE's

Would suggest you check the fluid levels in the transfer case and the front differential