Hi everyone. So, I'm having a frustrating issue, and hoping to get some insight. Last weekend I had the "grinding issue" in my front passenger side wheel. Basically it was trying to engage 4wd in 2wd. Most of you are familiar with this iwe issue. Well, I replaced the solenoid cause it was cheap. Then I tested all the vacuum lines - all is good. So I put the vacuum gun on the inlet of the actuator - 15 lbs. when I spun the wheel, axel moved as well. Gotta be the actuator! Nope! I put a new actuator on, and then tested the new actuator with 15lbs of vacuum, axel still moves! Ugh! In conclusion, I have a new solenoid, new actuator, good vacuum throughout the system and still can't get the blasted axel to free up! Other side is fine. I also tested 4lo, and everything works fine, so I feel like I don't have any issues behind the axel. I'm thinking it might be the hub, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around as too why the hub would cause the problem. I hope I've covered most of the details, but if not just ask and I will supply an answer to the best of my knowledge. Btw, I have accepted the fact that I don't know as much as I think I do, so if anything i have said is incorrect (technical assumptions), it wouldn't surprise me. Thanks for taking the time to help me.

 

2010 f150

 

You do know that the IWE's are locked when there is not enough vacuum. When you apply vac to the hubs they unlock. The 15 lbs you are applying may not be enough.

 

From what I have read on this forum it should only take around 5lbs.

 

I'm registering 20lbs of vacuum on the new actuator while truck is running.

 

Trucks fixed. This is kinda embarrassing to say but, I feel that it is important that my mistake can help someone avoid the same. My old actuator had broken into two pieces. Because I didn't familiarize myself with the appearance of the actuator itself, I didn't retrieve it all out. I bolted the new one down on top of the broken piece that remained, making it appear that my diagnosis was incorrect. I knew my entire thread was a big giant contradiction! Well, it didn't damage my new actuator, thank God! Now I can sleep.
Cheers!