I asked a week or so ago about getting the “check 4x4” message when switching to 4HI. I swapped the transfer case shift motor and fixed that problem.

In the process of checking other things I noticed the IWE’s on both front wheels are stuck in the engaged (locked) position. I don’t have any vacuum leaks. Checked with a vacuum pump all the lines, check valve, and the IWE’s themselves. They all hold a vacuum. My truck is pulling around 25 in/mercury at idle so I know there’s enough vacuum.

My question is, will it hurt anything to drive it like that? With the front axle just spinning in 2HI? I have no idea how long its been like that.

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Posted by cardoin

Member since Mar 2018

125 posts

Posted on 2/11/19 at 8:53 am to ducksnbass

I had a 2011 F-150 with an ecoboost. Had each of the front 4x4 actuators go out. Would partially lock and chatter while driving. Turns out that the vacuum pump was defective. I received a recall notification. Had other vacuum related issues as well prior to this, such as a/c not blowing where it was supposed to.

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Posted by j4lsu

Pineville

Member since Aug 2006

2923 posts

Posted on 2/11/19 at 8:58 am to cardoin

quote:
I had a 2011 F-150 with an ecoboost. Had each of the front 4x4 actuators go out. Would partially lock and chatter while driving. Turns out that the vacuum pump was defective. I received a recall notification. Had other vacuum related issues as well prior to this, such as a/c not blowing where it was supposed to.

I have a 2011 f-150; and had exactly the same issues as this. I mean it's like I could not have typed that up any more accurately to describe what happened with my truck.

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Posted by ducksnbass

Member since Apr 2014

754 posts

Posted on 2/11/19 at 9:11 am to cardoin

Mine are both locked in completely from what I can tell. When I jack up one side of the front axle with the truck running in 2wd, I can spin the tire and the axle rotates. Same on the other side. I pull vacuum on the actuators and they hold vacuum but don't release. I'm sure they've been that way for a while, just wondering if it's actually hurting anything to have the front axle/diff spinning even though the transfer case isn't engaged?

ETA: Mine's a 2011 also. 5.0 not Ecoboost.

This post was edited on 2/11/19 at 9:12 am

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Posted by Hammertime

Will trade dowsing rod for titties

Member since Jan 2012

43030 posts

Posted on 2/11/19 at 9:59 am to ducksnbass

I used to leave them locked on my old Tacoma, because I was in the mud a lot. Only downside was worse mpg. They'd also sort of push when I made tight turns, but I never had any negative consequences. Then again...it wasn't a Ford

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Posted by LEASTBAY

Member since Aug 2007

14263 posts

Posted on 2/11/19 at 11:44 am to ducksnbass

Just looked at some pics. I forgot about the IWE hubs. I would try to replace the actuator if your whole vacuum line is good.

This post was edited on 2/11/19 at 11:48 am

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Posted by ducksnbass

Member since Apr 2014

754 posts

Posted on 2/11/19 at 12:12 pm to LEASTBAY

Yeah, I would be more concerned if it were only one of them but since both are locked in, it seems like it's not really hurting anything other than my gas mileage. Don't Chevy and Dodge's front axles spin even without the transfer case engaged?

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