Anybody running IWE delete?

Only had 37000 miles on it when I changed trucks, but my 2018 was in 4A for 75% of those miles. (I just liked how it made the truck handle and feel through the steering wheel)

I would imagine those 4A miles could be multiplied by some factor for representing far more miles of "unloaded" (2WD) driving, but with the front hubs engaged.

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snakebitten said:

Only had 37000 miles on it when I changed trucks, but my 2018 was in 4A for 75% of those miles. (I just liked how it made the truck handle and feel through the steering wheel)

I would imagine those 4A miles could be multiplied by some factor for representing far more miles of "unloaded" (2WD) driving, but with the front hubs engaged.

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I believe the doorman ones are lifetime warranty, I was going to replace brakes and do CV axles (also lifetime warranty) while I was at it. Other than CV and hubs, the diff gears and potentially t case front Output stuff, would really be the only items spinning around ey?

Justinjs said:

I believe the doorman ones are lifetime warranty, I was going to replace brakes and do CV axles (also lifetime warranty) while I was at it. Other than CV and hubs, the diff gears and potentially t case front Output stuff, would really be the only items spinning around ey?

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I honestly don't know what the entire list of components are turning with the IWE engaged, but the truck is in 2WD. (which is basically a description of IWE delete)

But what I do know is that I own a truck that not only is INTENDED to be driven in 4A, without any fine print regarding overuse or abuse. It's also part of the 5/60 drivetrain warranty, as well as the extended ESP warranty. And finally, regardless of either warranty, it's a feature that I want available for my use anytime I choose. So I am willing to pay to repair it every bit as much as I would be for a Turbo, or a rear diff. If the co$t of maintaining it became unreasonable to me, then that's a problem for Ford keeping me as a customer.

Fortunately, the issue is so rare that I don't view it as a concern. There are many known issues that I find concerning more than a transfer case or front differential.

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snakebitten said:

Fortunately, the issue is so rare that I don't view it as a concern. There are many known issues that I find concerning more than a transfer case or front differential.

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Bingo.

I've never been concerned with a t case or front diff failure. I'm sure they happen, but the driving bits is these trucks seem to be pretty stout.

For what is worth, I got the IWE vacuum delete by the dealer on my 2019 Lariat (TOD/4A transfer case).

super happy now, no more IWE grinding sound.

Keep in mind that with Lariat and above trim, front components (half shaft, front diff, front driveshaft) spin all the time in 2WD due to transfer case internal friction. Ford TSB for IWE vacuum delete is for Lariat and above for that reason: it’s does not change much things happening in 2WD.

I don't see why an IWE delete, which is really just an engaged IWE, would make noise in 2WD unless something is worn or not right on one end or the other.

But I do have 4A so maybe it's quieter than a non-4A truck? (4A is really 2WD much of the time, but with the IWE engaged full time)

I hear zero difference with front cv's spinning free of torque, if you know what I mean.

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snakebitten said:

I don't see why an IWE delete, which is really just an engaged IWE, would make noise in 2WD unless something is worn or not right on one end or the other.

But I do have 4A so maybe it's quieter than a non-4A truck? (4A is really 2WD much of the time, but with the IWE engaged full time)

I hear zero difference with front cv's spinning free of torque, if you know what I mean.

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I may be overthinking this one. I've never ridden in a 4a, but I can't imagine Ford would have released it sounding like it's on mud tires (not the unbalanced sound, just the hum of large lugs). As a check, in straight line, 4wd was engaged and it all sounded the same as 2wd. May be bad hubs, it IS at 145k, but they sounded fine prior to change. As a side note, new CV axles, front pads/rotors were installed while it was apart, can't imagine that's causing any noise though.
Meh, maybe I'll have the wife drive it. If she doesn't notice, it's probably just in my head. 🤷‍♂️

I did notice a little more noise with mine, but it was very minimal.

If you or they (who ever did install) didn't rotate the CV's and lock them in to the IWE before tightening the nut on the CV they're likely now broken. And could be what you're hearing.

Mine makes no more noise with my vac lines disconnected...

Also

winchested said:

If you or they (who ever did install) didn't rotate the CV's and lock them in to the IWE before tightening the nut on the CV they're likely now broken. And could be what you're hearing.

Mine makes no more noise with my vac lines disconnected...

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They were rotated to make sure they were engaged during install. Rotated the hub and made sure the CV axle was rotating as well.
As a side question, wouldn't the wheel bearing/hub make noise in 2wd as well as 4wd?

In my mind the only additional noise with the IWE engaged, but still in 2WD, would be noise from the front differential now participating in forward momentum. But the transfer case would still NOT be engaged with the drivetrain. No?

The noise from the wheel/hub wouldn't itself change from 2WD/4WD/4A because the IWE status never changes anymore

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snakebitten said:

In my mind the only additional noise with the IWE engaged, but still in 2WD, would be noise from the front differential now participating in forward momentum. But the transfer case would still NOT be engaged with the drivetrain. No?

The noise from the wheel/hub wouldn't itself change from 2WD/4WD/4A because the IWE status never changes anymore

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That's my understanding as a well, this is more tire noise. The noise is probably a result of the diff/axle being forced to move as it's pushed along...I guess ha.
I'm trying to rule out the hubs before digging back into this.

Justinjs said:

But seriously, is the humming normal? It sounds like 37" mud tires between 25-55 mph.

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Exactly how I’d describe mine when running 4A!

Was worried when I first got it but nothing definitive, so I decided to stop worrying until something explodes. No idea if it’s normal per se, but no driving or traction issues yet.

Upshifter said:

Exactly how I’d describe mine when running 4A!

Was worried when I first got it but nothing definitive, so I decided to stop worrying until something explodes. No idea if it’s normal per se, but no driving or traction issues yet.

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Well. Ok then hah.
Humming would be akin to prop airplane at cruise, obviously not that loud and 8-10 radio volume covers it up. Window down, you can't hear it, it's mostly cab noise.
If this seems normal, I'm glad we all had this chat

I'm just lucky twice in a row. My last 2 trucks have no Audible evidence of whether the IWE is engaged. Or put another way, I don't hear 4A.

I DO feel 4A, mostly in the steering wheel, and I like that feeling.

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I've always been able to tell a slightly perceptible noise in 4A (2018 502A Lariat with the TOD/A4 transfer case). In the last few thousand miles, I started getting exactly the same noise you're describing... sound like you're running on 37" mud grips, especially noticeable around 30MPH, in 2WD or 4WD mode. Went to the dealer under warranty and got new hubs on both sides. All quiet now. I've got 47K on the clock and run 4A in the rain and occasionally 4H if I get out in the mud.

tvsjr said:

I've always been able to tell a slightly perceptible noise in 4A (2018 502A Lariat with the TOD/A4 transfer case). In the last few thousand miles, I started getting exactly the same noise you're describing... sound like you're running on 37" mud grips, especially noticeable around 30MPH, in 2WD or 4WD mode. Went to the dealer under warranty and got new hubs on both sides. All quiet now. I've got 47K on the clock and run 4A in the rain and occasionally 4H if I get out in the mud.

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The noise wasn't there prior to install, immediately after and there is a hum. You're saying my description matches yours and hubs fixed it?

Justinjs said:

The noise wasn't there prior to install, immediately after and there is a hum. You're saying my description matches yours and hubs fixed it?

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I didn't make any changes to mine... it's just a failure. I still have stock IWEs. But the noise is exactly what you described. In fact, I honestly thought it was tires - I was about to do some tire and suspension work (Michelin LTX A/T2s in 275/60R20, Bilstein 5100s all around, new HDPP springs up front to compensate for front bumper) and I accelerated that a bit thinking that the Hankook tires, which were nearing legal limit, were the noise culprit. Not so much.