Hey everyone, new to the forum and looking for some advice. I have a 2016 Expedition EL XLT 4WD. Since Nov. of 2020 and only when temps are around 35 deg and below I get a rubbing sound which sounds like it's coming from the front end at slow speeds and goes away as I speed up. Really noticable as I turn into my driveway and come to a stop. Once spring-summer comes around the noise disappears and then comes back around late Oct/ early Nov. I've replaced my rotors, pads and (caliper on the driver side door to uneven wear and thinking that was the problem). Didn't fix the problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Rubbing sound only in the cold
- Thread starter ArtGon6
- Start date
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Can you get a video of the sound? Is it constant at the lower speeds or periodic? Have you ever had a hard impact on the drivers side? Is it getting worse, or always the same? Does the angle of your steering wheel change the sound?
Frank Wilson
Full Access Members
At 50°f and below, my IWEs make noise partially engaging. I shift to 4A and obviously that stops it after the engine warms up, I can go back to 2wd.
Two theories;
1. Vacuum leak at manifold that seals up with heat?
2. The Vacuum solenoid for the IWEs is sticking until the heat from the engine expands something that allow the solenoid to open completely.?
Thank you for the response. The sound doesn't go away as the engine warms though (if I'm understanding your response correctly). It will continue to happen throughout the drive at low speeds typically coming to a stop or taking off and it seems to happen more often after making a turn, like into a parking lot or my driveway for example. I will look into it though, so thank you. I've visually inspected all parts around the tire, suspension and braking system and everything "looks" ok.
It's not constant, sometime it will make the sound and sometimes it won't but it's always at slower speeds. No hard impacts, not getting worse, same sound for the last 2 years during colder fall/winter temps. Angle doesn't change sound. I'll try to get a video and post this evening. Thank you
Awesome. The more info the better. Has a mechanic taken a look?
Frank Wilson
Full Access Members
I'm not sure why I haven't replace the vacuum actuator. I've just gotten use to it over the years. It's become part of my cold weather operation procedure.
@LokiWolf no I haven't had a mechanic look at it yet. I like to try to figure these things out on my own. Could it be the wheel bearings? Oddly it started making the sound shortly after I had gotten new tires put on it a couple years ago. Could that have something to do with it. @Frank Wilson Is there a way I can test the vacuum lines for the IWE? Thanks for the continued help.
Yes, it "could" be the wheel bearings, but that was why I asked if it was getting worse. Over that time frame, if it was it should have definitely gotten worse. Once they start to fail, like that sound would imply they get worse quick.
Frank is on to something though. Whether it is the IWE being weak, which I would assume would also get worse over this long a time frame, or maybe it is the hubs themselves need to be serviced?
Have you had your wheels/tires rotated since the replacement? I would hope so. Has anybody pulled the wheels and just done a visual inspection.
I would LOVE a video from the outside when it is doing it. The sound can tell SO much about the issue.
@LokiWolf yes we have had the tires rotated and even took it back Discount Tire to have them inspect the area because of the sound. Been lagging on getting the video but I'll try to get to it tonight. Thanks
