Hey all, I’m trying to solve / trouble shoot a problem and would appreciate any help and insight I can get. Truck is a 2008 FX4 with about 40k miles. I’m a bit of a noob when it comes to mechanical things, and have limited space, time, tools, and knowledge to do my own work.

So the scenario … I’m driving out to the desert to go camping, and I hear this loud intermittent clicking noise from the front passenger side. Get to the desert, and I’m in an area where I need 4WD. Friend is outside, and tells me my fronts aren’t spinning. 4H/4L aren’t working, but I have the gearing for low. Switching between 2WD and 4H/4L I do hear a click, but 4WD is not engaging. On our way home, the rattling/clicking noise is still there, noise comes and goes. Didn’t hear the noise driving in the city, only highway.

I’ve done some research, and what I’ve found so far is Ford’s old IWE solenoid design was poor, allowing water to damage the solenoid. I checked mine, and it does have the updated hood/protector. Is it possible that water could still have gotten into the solenoid, which would then damage the IWE hub? What else could have damaged the IWE hub?

I found this video, on an older model F150, on checking the vacuum by turning on your AC and switching between 2WD/4H. Not sure if it’s applicable to my year, but I tried it, and my AC doesn’t lose vacuum.

Based on the sound I’m thinking the IWE hub needs to be replaced. I’m not sure when I’ll have an opportunity to get this done. Is this something that should be repaired right away? What further damage could occur if I continue driving as is?

Thanks for any help and insight you can provide.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...then-some.html

 

The article you saw likely references a F-250/350 with a diesel. Those use an electric vacuum pump that doesn't have near the vacuum capacity of your gas engine.

As for diagnosis and fix: http://www.f150forum.com/f72/how-dia...72/?styleid=14

 

X2 on one of the best posts ever here.

And to answer your question, yes, you can wipe out an IWE and still have a good solenoid. In your case, I'd suggest having somebody who knows their way around the system check it out for you.