IWE Issues? Grinding coming from front wheels

[2020_Stealth]

Hello - New here and new to the expedition world.

Just bought my wife a 2020 Ford Expedition Stealth and vehicle was fine for the first 600 miles. Since then, now at 2000 miles, we've had nothing but issues with this vehicle. At low speeds, 0-35mph, you get a consistent metallic grinding/clicking noise coming from the front end. Once you're up to speed or if you push the 4A button that noise goes away. By staying in 4A the noise goes away every time which leads me to believe i have an IWE issue with this SUV. I made several videos of the noise and showed them to Ford.

1st visit - dealership replaced a check valve in the vacuum lines.
2nd visit - dealership replaced some vacuum cap
3rd visit - vehicle didn't even leave the dealership before making the grinding noise.

Which brings us to present. Ford dealer has reached out to Ford engineering for advice since they've replaced everything suggested in their computer.

Anyone else experience this?

 

[Deadman]

WTF? Get a better dealer.
I told me dealer what mine was doing and they replaced BOTH complete IWE assemblies, wheel bearings on the first appointment. They said they replace these daily on the F150's and its super common. Not a noise since.

 

[DWs-TTEB]

Deadman is on point! I had mine replaced as well on the first visit to the Ford Dealer.

 

[mwl001]

I had problems in the first 200 miles. Mine was I believe a bad actuator or something in the dash rather that the IWE itself but my issue manifested the same as you - I could make it go away in 4A.

 

[2020_Stealth]

You all were right. Talked to the Ford dealer last night and the Ford engineer gave them the green light to replace both IWE's. Hopefully that's the fix and we don't have to worry about this again. I'll update once I have the vehicle back.

 

[2020_Stealth]

Both IWEs were replaced and all is working like normal. Thanks everyone.

 

[Deadman]

Just sucks that it took 4 visits. Like I said, my dealer did mine on one visit. I told them what it was doing on phone and they said bring it in 2 days and they put new IWE's in both sides with wheel bearings. They stock the parts because they do so many F150's.

 

[2020_Stealth]

Just sucks that it took 4 visits. Like I said, my dealer did mine on one visit. I told them what it was doing on phone and they said bring it in 2 days and they put new IWE's in both sides with wheel bearings. They stock the parts because they do so many F150's.

I even showed them 2 videos of the noise and exactly where it was coming from and they still didn't want to replace the parts. Ultimately they did and it's fixed but I'll likely find another dealer to service/warranty the vehicle if I ever need to. This was ridiculous.

 

[Lee Dame]

I had the same issue at about 7k miles and they replaced both sides. Too bad about your local dealer ...

 

[Deadman]

I had the same issue at about 7k miles and they replaced both sides. Too bad about your local dealer ...

I'm sure they get a kickback on every warranty claim they deny..... Or get a bigger kickback on reduced warranty claims etc.

 

[ediddily]

Get one thing straight, dealers, no matter the department are there to make money. They start with the expensive stuff first, such as the IWEs and hubs/bearings, then go to the cheap stuff.
Mine had a minor leak for 10years, partial engagement at certain power load and rpms but went away with high rpm/load/vacuum. Eventually I replaced everything on the vacuum system: solenoid, upper hose contraption, lower hose, vacuum Reservoir, IWEs and hubs.
2wd=hubs unlocked via constant vacuum
4wd=hubs locked via no vacuum
4auto= hubs unlocked (2wd) until TCS detects a difference in front end wheel speed and releases vacuum to lock hubs (4wd) then back to unlocked via vacuum (2wd).
I've replaced the IWEs so many times because I never corrected the real problem which was a minor leak somewhere else. And I go with cheap no name brand IWEs which are hit or miss on durability. Luckily the ones in there now have held up solid. They're easy to replace and can be done in an hour for each. Basic mechanics tools are all you need. And if there is too much grease on the gears they won't move very well. Its just like makeup on a woman, less is more sometimes.