Dealer capped IWEs Off

[downforce137]

Took my 18’ in numerous times and dealership said they couldn’t try anything else, they replaced everything. Scared the ish out of me driving down e-way at 70mph and it started grinding. Sounded like I was pulling a chain linked fence. I read on a previous thread to replace the vacuum hose with FL3Z-3A788-B ($25). Did it in 5min and haven’t had an issue since.

i did this too, and it still did it on extended highway driving, so i unplugged the solonoid and have not looked back..

im guessing an IWE is leaking down but im ok with everything turning

 

[SCAR911]

If you cap the vacuum lines, can you still shift into 4A ?

 

[FordTechOne]

If you cap the vacuum lines, can you still shift into 4A ?

Yes, that’s unaffected.

 

[SCAR911]

Yes, that’s unaffected.

Then what is the point of them?

 

[EricM]

Replace the majority of the plastic tubing with copper/stainless tubing if you want it to be durable.

 

[HighwaySentinel]

Then what is the point of them?

Interesting read if you have a few minutes.

Everything You Wanted To Know About The IWE System....And Then Some! - F150online Forums

Articles & How-To's - Everything You Wanted To Know About The IWE System....And Then Some! - After my recent experiences with the complete IWE system i decided to write up a description of the system and troubleshooting. Hope this helps out some people! Maybe this can become a sticky! When the...

www.f150online.com

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

Then what is the point of them?

Fuel mileage, maybe a little less wear on a couple components.

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

i did this too, and it still did it on extended highway driving, so i unplugged the solonoid and have not looked back..

im guessing an IWE is leaking down but im ok with everything turning

I would be okay with that except it such a simple system.

Some are making it out to be more complicated than landing on the moon.

 

[EricM]

Fuel mileage, maybe a little less wear on a couple components.

It was for fuel mileage only. Ford was after more MPG with the new 2004 F150.

The 97-03 trucks were the first IFS 4WD F150s and they had zero issues with the hard parts in the front axle.

The 97-03 4WD known issue was the ESOF vacuum actuator failing, and you wouldn't get 4WD.

If you had the floor shifter instead of ESOF, or converted over to a cable setup- it was bulletproof and you could count on it engaging when needed, unlike every F150 built after 2003.

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

It was for fuel mileage only. Ford was after more MPG with the new 2004 F150.

The 97-03 trucks were the first IFS 4WD F150s and they had zero issues with the hard parts in the front axle.

The 97-03 4WD known issue was the ESOF vacuum actuator failing, and you wouldn't get 4WD.

If you had the floor shifter instead of ESOF, or converted over to a cable setup- it was bulletproof and you could count on it engaging when needed, unlike every F150 built after 2003.

The issue with the 2004+ isn't 4x4 engagement, quite the opposite. 4x4 disengagement is the issue. The grinding noise is the "hub" (IWE cause now we mounted inside the knuckle instead of outside so it needs a new name) not fully disengaging.

The F150 system works opposite of the super duty system.

The F150 requires vacuum to disengage the IWE, loss of vacuum engages the IWE

The superduty requires vacuum to engage the hubs (vacuum required to release also 1999-2010).

So if you are going through brush and snag a vacuum line on an F150 you will still have 4x4 (IWE will engage due to spring)

On a superduty you will loose the ability to engage the hubs