It is starting to look like winter

[Squatting Dog]

I know it’s hard to believe, but winter weather is right around the corner. That said, it’s time to check the operation of our 4 wheel drive systems before we actually need them. As most of you know, the system used in the Raptor has somes issues, if maintained properly, it works quite well. Might as well find out now if yours needs work before you need it though.

So what should you check? If you have the Electronic Shift on the Fly (ESOF) system, you need to turn the knob to 4Hi and see if it actually engages the transfer case and both hubs. You should get a light on the dash indicating the transfer case shift has occurred, but the hubs (IWEs) locking up might take some detective work – or a gravel parking lot. If you don’t get the light on the dash, the number one most common cause is the ESOF motor on the back of the transfercase going bad. If you’re lucky, a few love taps with a hammer might wake it back up. If you’re unlucky, you might have to replace it – which isn’t a hard job anyway.

If your IWEs didn’t lock up, you want to search for my posts on the wonderful world of IWEs. The number one cause for one of these bad boys going bad and / or you not getting 4 wheel drive to engage is the vacuum solenoid up on the driverside side firewall. It’s a relatively inexpensive part and an easy fix – if that’s what went bad.

The other thing that can go bad is an IWE itself. If you hear a singing / screeching noise when you try to engage the system, you may have already lost an IWE. I have posted up very complete trouble shooting and repair instructions somewhere on FRF.
IWE threads
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f52/everything-you-wanted-know-about-iwe-then-some-16452/#post260206

http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f52/uh-crap-wheel-hub-blew-out-integrated-wheel-end-iwe-9606/#post129211

http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f39/four-wheel-drive-slip-klunk-13939/

http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f24/iwe-vacuum-system-upgrades-13998/

If you take it to your dealer will probably charge you $800 to repair can be done in your driveway for less than half of that. (if there are warranty issues or out of warranty)

 

[Donk74]

Greg

A while back you were looking into ways to improve the reliability of the IWE system; filters, relocating vacuum lines...

Did you ever decide on how / what you were going to try?

 

[Squatting Dog]

I will be testing out relocating IWE lines and venting the vacuum into the cab through the firewall at SNOball 500..

This will be a better solution then adding filters to the vent lines, which are another point of failure/somthing else to check.

By venting the lines within the cab will help prevent water and mud from being sucked into the system. And a added benefit is the air conditioner/defrost will also remove moisture from the air and the air entering into the IWE system.

When I change out my axles I will be checking the current condition of my of IWE hubs and lines prior to doing any modifications.

 

[Donk74]

Cool

I'll have to checkout your handiwork up at the SnoBall.