So due to my curiosity, and the fact that I’m getting pissed off about this rumbling issue while turning left or right at low speeds, I decided to throw a camera up on the front air dam to see what my front 4WD axles are doing. Lo and behold, in 2WD both front axles are turning with the wheels! As we all probably know, these trucks have the IWEs which are vacuum driven to engage and disengage 4WD. Apparently I’m losing vacuum somewhere, either the check valve, solenoid, or vacuum line harness itself. Just had the actuators replaced 1 year ago today and right back to the same issue. Dealership on Wednesday with video proof....
Vibration rumbling identified
- Thread starter 16plati
- Start date
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JExpedition07
That One Member
You had both actuators replaced, I would be looking at the solenoid hard. That’s a common issue and a cheap simple part to change. If it’s stuck on vent it will never unlock the hubs.
It’s on your firewall drivers side on 2010 and up. For 2007-2009 it’s up front passenger side on fan shroud (pre electric fans when shroud was present).
It’s on your firewall drivers side on 2010 and up. For 2007-2009 it’s up front passenger side on fan shroud (pre electric fans when shroud was present).
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Just replaced it 3 months ago. I’m guessing a vacuum leak in the hoses somewhere or the IWEs are locked up from moisture. Showing a service advisor Wednesday and going to have them check every component
Loki take a look at this video. I know it’s a raptor but it’s basically same setup we have. It describes and shows that the front axles will rotate with the vehicle in 2WD due to the fluid in the TC moving it. They move but ARE NOT LOCKED into the hubs in 2WD until you engage 4WD. This is why we must be below 55mph to safely engage 4WD while moving. If these were stationary and you tried to engage 4WD even at like 30mph imagine how hard of a catch that would be for the gears. So due to the chain moving around the TC and the fluid movement the front axles will move in 2WD they will just not provide power or torque to the hubs until 4WD engages
Love Engineering explained!!
The difference is yours are staying locked and not disengaging, hence your sound when turning.
I expect some movement in 2WD.
My 2006 250 had a classic transfer case, I could engage at more than a stop, but ford didn’t recommend above 45. It would not really be that bad, because when the center engages, axles start spinning and once the hubs engage they are going similar speeds, because the hub is spinning going down the road. Not one device going 45 one at zero.
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But see now tht I know the fronts actually do love in 2WD, the only thing left to do is check the vacuum system on the front. In addition, another concern is that the vibrations I get are felt up front however the sound seems to originate in the rear which would lead me to the clutch packs. Dealership said they will pull the IWEs apart and test vacuum. If all tests out and looks good up front only other issue it could be is the rear diff which I’m prepared to do a fluid change if they won’t pull apart the rear for me and inspect the gears
