Ok, first of all, hello. I am new to the forum and also kind of new to f150 trucks. I am a college student in wichita ks and dont have a lot of money to spend.... so with that
I bought 4x4 f150 extended cab 2006 xlt in oklahoma about a month ago. I have been in love with her every minute ive had it, but i have a little issue.
I didnt realize it when i first got it, but when its in 2x4 drive, the front right hub grinds on and off, it seems the higher the rpm, the more it grinds. I didnt catch it at first because with the windows up it sounds like wind and its been cold lately. But i went to Colorado and had to use the 4x4 drive, and it worked for a couple days but then kicked out. The right hub was completely shot and grinded out so i just replaced both of the hubs. Now that i did that, i just realized that the grinding noise is going on when in 2x4 drive. but when i put in in 4x4, it works fine.
What could this be.
I know that this is not a new topic but i havent found real specific answers yet. Could it be the Solenoid? Actuator? Vacuum lines? again i am hoping to fix this on my own. The ford dealership here was going to charge me 900 to replace the hubs, i did it myself for 250. I am a college student and dont have the funds to take it to a dealership. If i could get some ideas, that would be great.

Thanks so much in advance
John

 

Sounds like my truck is doing almost the same exact thing, I just posted my question here:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ot...ont-ideas.html

Then I scrolled down and found your post lol. I haven't replaced anything yet, I figured I'd come here first for ideas. Feel free to send me an email if you find out anything... Thanks!

 

Vacuum is used to keep the IWE (independent wheel ends) disengaged. When you loose vacuum they start to engage. That is the grinding sound that you hear. As a temporary measure unplug the vacuum lines to the IWEs and allow them to fully engage then cap the nipple to keep dirt out. This will keep them from partially engaging and grinding themselves into dust. You have a vacuum leak somewhere in the system. Common causes are a faulty solenoid on the firewall. You need to check the lines for water intrusion and leaks. Test the solenoid for proper operation. In 4x4 it vents to atmosphere in 4x2 it holds vacuum.

 

Thanks for the reply!

I began thinking about what led up to this problem, and remembered the truck was fine until I had to drive through a snow drift that was higher than the fog lights for about 200 ft. The problem began right after that...

After reading about IWE's, vacuum lines, etc. and googling the service manual, I went outside to see what was up. Since I was hearing the noises from the pass side I began to investigate there. Everything looked like it was where it was supposed to be. I went to the drivers side, and sure enough the vacuum lines were pulled off the IWE and smooshed up above the frame rail. I guess the deep snow must've yanked them right off. I pulled them down, put the clips back where they belonged, cleaned up everything, and went out on the highway. Seems to be working fine now...

I just hope nothing got seriously hurt because I drove 150 miles with the vacuum lines open and the pass side trying to engage the IWE like the drivers side was...

As a side question, if you install a lift kit wouldn't the vacuum lines be even more vulnerable and out in the open? I would imagine you'd need to extend them??