4WD actuator problems
 

So here is my situation:
I have a 2006 Lariat F150, and recently my front drivers side 4wd actuator has been making the infamous grinding noise, but only under load (ex. accelerating up a hill). When I put it into 4WD, the noise goes away as the actuator is released and the gears engage. As per recommendations from forums, i have replaced both the actuator and the solenoid, and the new solenoid has the rain shield to fix the water leakage problem that many trucks from this year group have.

After the two part replacements, the front drivers side hub still grinds, and still only while the engine is under a load.

What should i look at doing next to solve this issue?

Did you check all of your vacuum lines and check valves? If you're not holding vacuum due to a leak, your IWE's will try to lock. If they don't lock completely, they will grind.

BTW, even though you just replaced the IWE's, if you have a partially engaged IWE that is grinding - for whatever reason - you may have to replace the IWE again. It doesn't take long to grind one up.

Maybe a check valve? Read through these...

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...l#post12662529

http://www.f150forum.com/f72/how-dia...m-esof-186872/

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/83...then-some.html

Is it any similar to this?

How do i go about checking my vacuum lines? I visually inspected what i could see but im sure theres a better way to go about that. I also checked my reservoir, and there are no leaks coming from that.

Where and what are the check valves? Im new to this IWE system so im going to need the dummies guide for diagnosing this.

This thread shoud help you: https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...then-some.html

Hello, i am Manu from Germany. sorry my englisch is not so good. I have Problem with my 2005 F-150 4x4. drive 2wd is no problem. 4wd is problem. Drive straigth is no problem. problem is drive slow right or left. I go left or right, big pops (bang) from the front Axle or front hubs. I have vacuum hubs. you can help my?

Thanks

What you are experiencing sounds pretty much like what happens with any 4x4 vehicle when its driven on hard pavement in 4 wheel drive. It's called "driveline bind" and basically what you're hearing is your front axle joints fighting the rest of the driveline because in a tight turn, the inside front tire will travel a shorter distance that the outside front tire. In your Owner's Manual there is even a section that specifically states not to drive your vehicle in 4 wheel drive on dry pavement - for exactly this reason.

Hope that helps.

OK, thanks for the help.

Regards Manu

...which was already recommended. It tells you how to troubleshoot, and what you need [tools] to do the troubleshooting.

I have an 05 that has same problem.Upon diagnosing,I found the right actuator has a blown vacuum seal.Checked with vacuum gage at each wheel line(disconnected) and had 5" vacuum at left side with engine running in 2wd.Reconnected lt. side and checked rt. side and had 20" vac.Applied a vacuum to each act. with a portable vacuum pump and can hear internal leak at right unit.Right side inop.,left side works.Reason lt. side was chattering is because rt. side leak causing marginal vacuum(5") to release left side.I am replacing both.