21 IWE noise or something else? Not temperature related...

[flynavy]

Crazy


Lesson learned and glad it wasn’t anything worse.

So new tires and an alignment in your future?

Yes but possible suspension parts failing which is my next fear based on a quick google. I have fox leveling struts

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[wptorres]

Something worth noting, if your truck has 4A it doesn’t have IWEs in most cases. When Ford implemented the 4A transfer case, they removed the IWEs and instead the front driveline is always spinning even when in 2H. This is why you’ll find a lot of people on here recommending early/often differential services in the front, as this spinning without load does tend to cause the front diff to wear out if not taken care of.

In general, here’s where you’ll find each of the following:

HAVE IWEs: XL, XLT, Tremor w/HI-Lock Transfer Case, Raptor
NO IWEs: Lariat, Platinum, Limited, King Ranch

 

[obert]

Something worth noting, if your truck has 4A it doesn’t have IWEs in most cases. When Ford implemented the 4A transfer case, they removed the IWEs and instead the front driveline is always spinning even when in 2H. This is why you’ll find a lot of people on here recommending early/often differential services in the front, as this spinning without load does tend to cause the front diff to wear out if not taken care of.

In general, here’s where you’ll find each of the following:

HAVE IWEs: XL, XLT, Tremor w/HI-Lock Transfer Case, Raptor
NO IWEs: Lariat, Platinum, Limited, King Ranch

My 21 lariat still has them. They are the electronic ones and not the vacuum ran ones like the older models.

I think I did read somewhere about the front always spinning in some form like you are saying

 

[wptorres]

My 21 lariat still has them. They are the electronic ones and not the vacuum ran ones like the older models.

I think I did read somewhere about the front always spinning in some form like you are saying

Intersting, I don’t see why there would be a need for IWEs if the front end is still spinning. The whole point is so that when in 2H the transfer case and IWEs can be disconnected and leave the front driveline motionless. I wonder if they’re true IWEs like on the non-4A transfer case, or if they’re some sort of placeholder.

I have confirmed for certain, that on my ‘24 XLT the front driveline does disconnect and stop spinning in 2H, while on a Lariat with 4A it did not and kept spinning

 

[flynavy]

My 21 lariat still has them. They are the electronic ones and not the vacuum ran ones like the older models.

I think I did read somewhere about the front always spinning in some form like you are saying

So I tried to pull skid plate / fiber guard to change front diff fluid… those bolts are on TIGHT! Do you remember having any trouble getting that stuff out of the way!? I see they attach to speed nuts and I really don’t want to strip. Also, everywhere says it’s a 13mm but that’s no where close. My 15mm fits but not snug and nothing else seems to work.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Crazy


Lesson learned and glad it wasn’t anything worse.

So new tires and an alignment in your future?

Yes, some sounds just baffle one, been there, done that. I chased a snapping/popping noise on an older car that turned out to be a U-joint eating itself. On the IWE side remember that the IWEs are engaged or not. If they're making noises when engaged, you've got a real problem as there should be no relative motion between the wheel side gears and the input side. So if they had been making noise then the "grind-me-a-pound" effect is in full force and complete replacement would be the only option.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Intersting, I don’t see why there would be a need for IWEs if the front end is still spinning. The whole point is so that when in 2H the transfer case and IWEs can be disconnected and leave the front driveline motionless. I wonder if they’re true IWEs like on the non-4A transfer case, or if they’re some sort of placeholder.

I have confirmed for certain, that on my ‘24 XLT the front driveline does disconnect and stop spinning in 2H, while on a Lariat with 4A it did not and kept spinning

The front axle is not spinning. If in 2WD you can hand turn the propeller shaft easily. You need to do this to pull gear lube out the fill plug when changing it out since there is an internal that can block feeding in a suction tube.

 

[wptorres]

The front axle is not spinning. If in 2WD you can hand turn the propeller shaft easily. You need to do this to pull gear lube out the fill plug when changing it out since there is an internal that can block feeding in a suction tube.

On the non-4a trucks it stops spinning, however I'm pretty sure that with 4a the whole front driveline still spins.

 

[Gros Ventre]

On the non-4a trucks it stops spinning, however I'm pretty sure that with 4a the whole front driveline still spins.

May be so. I have only observed non-Full Time 4WD. Having pulled the gear lube out with a suction setup, there is a rotating member inside that has to be rotated to clear a path for my suction tube. It rotates by hand easily.

 

[obert]

Intersting, I don’t see why there would be a need for IWEs if the front end is still spinning. The whole point is so that when in 2H the transfer case and IWEs can be disconnected and leave the front driveline motionless. I wonder if they’re true IWEs like on the non-4A transfer case, or if they’re some sort of placeholder.

I have confirmed for certain, that on my ‘24 XLT the front driveline does disconnect and stop spinning in 2H, while on a Lariat with 4A it did not and kept spinning

So I tried to pull skid plate / fiber guard to change front diff fluid… those bolts are on TIGHT! Do you remember having any trouble getting that stuff out of the way!? I see they attach to speed nuts and I really don’t want to strip. Also, everywhere says it’s a 13mm but that’s no where close. My 15mm fits but not snug and nothing else seems to work.

Don’t remember the size but yeah I had a hard time getting the bolts out. I think the dealer uses an impact on those.

 

[flynavy]

I'm still not 100% convinced the tires are to blame, but I'm hyper aware now of every noise and trying to pin point what it could be. I know an easy test would be to swap a different set of tires but I don't really have access to that right now.

Could tires REALLY make this kind of noise at such low speeds? I'll be honest.. I probably do need an alignment bad, and the tires are wearing wonky but still.

I was able to pump some diff fluid out today and I did not see any shiny/metal at all which is a relief I guess.

 

[obert]

No shinny is good

 

[flynavy]

My 21 lariat still has them. They are the electronic ones and not the vacuum ran ones like the older models.

I think I did read somewhere about the front always spinning in some form like you are saying

Are you able to confirm the front half shafts Do NOT spin in 2H? Am I crazy? I tried to video low speed sound and noticed they turn in all drive modes. I know they eventually changed this but for a 21 build it should be separate yeah?

 

[obert]

Are you able to confirm the front half shafts Do NOT spin in 2H? Am I crazy? I tried to video low speed sound and noticed they turn in all drive modes. I know they eventually changed this but for a 21 build it should be separate yeah?

No I can but I think they do spin in 2WD. They just don’t have any power going to them until you turn on the transfer case

 

[flynavy]

No I can but I think they do spin in 2WD. They just don’t have any power going to them until you turn on the transfer case

Hm ok that might make sense.
I’m getting a rubbing noise when truck is cold. Lasts 10-15 seconds…

here is where it gets weird. If I let it sit for 6 hours and try again no noise. But if I wait until the next day it’s back. Wondering what electrical demon could possibly do anything like this.

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