My dad's '06 F-150 has developed a front end ticking noise. It starts at about 20mph and continues all the way to 50+mph. It's directly related to throttle input; when you let off the throttle the ticking/rattling goes away. It doesn't seem to do it when engaged in 4WD although it was tough getting up to 20mph today. There also seems to be a slight whirring noise but that was barely noticeable.

Any thoughts on what it may be? I was thinking maybe a hub. It's going to the dealer for a full check up and maybe an early 100k tune up but I thought I'd research it for him before it goes in.

 

Check out all the threads about IWE replacement, sounds like it could be it.

 

Apparently I can't search from my phone, so can you explain what the IWE is? I'll browse recent threads in the meantime.

 

Intregated wheel end, this switch/gear is located neat the hub, gears engage when put in 4WD, when vacumn is applied the gear disengages. Several people here are having problems with this. Could be just a vacumn leak, bad switch ( ford came out with a new valve) or a bad IWE.

 

Cool, thanks. I'll search a bit for it now that I'm able.