4x4 guys I need some help!

[Bazo]

I've got a 2007 F150 and I thought the front wheel hub was going out due to a kind of grinding noise it was making. So I replaced the hub and it was still doing it. Next thing we thought it was is the actuator that in gauges the hub when it's put into 4x4 because the noise stops when I put it in 4x4 and that actuator is notorious for going out.

I though I had it fixed and last night it was making the exact same noise again. Is it a possibility that the air line going to the actuator could be bad?? At this point I have no idea what it could be as everything has been replaced on that wheel.

[be12hunt]

That's over my head. I've replaced hubs but only because they started making like humming noise.

[Mayhem]

Hubs make a grinding noise.

Have you replaced both hubs or just one.

[freezerfiller]

Look up 4x4 posi lok. Not sure if that's the answer to your problem but I stumbled across it a couple days ago. May help some of your problem

[CastAndBlast]

That's a good one. I would say check brakes, but that wouldn't be it if it stops when engaging 4x4. Sounds like it is not completely disengaging. I don't know much about newer 4x4s, so I'm not much help.

[Kmart49]

Just fixed that in my truck last week. I had the same grinding, same issues with 4x4.

I replaced the actuator which was actually pretty easy. I also replaced the vacuum line entirely as I suspected that could have led to the issue. The other thing you should replace is the actual solenoid. It is what controls the vacuum for a/c as well as 4x4. The old ones 04-08' models didn't have a cover so over time water gets in the solenoid and hoses and leads to failure of the actuators. It is located on the passenger side firewall and easy to replace. Autozone and Orielly carry the solenoid and it is cheap. I bought my actuator and hose from Ford. The actuator was $180 w/ tax and the hose was $80.

PM me if you have more questions.

[wellsm11]

Just talked to a Ford front end tech that works with me. He said the same thing that Kmart49 said.

[Bazo]

Yep, I just got done replacing the actuator solenoid and that seems to have fixed it! Seems that a $25 part was the main issue.

Thanks everyone for all the help!

[Kmart49]

Yep, I just got done replacing the actuator solenoid and that seems to have fixed it! Seems that a $25 part was the main issue.

Thanks everyone for all the help!

Ya, the solenoid is always the first place to check for those trucks. If left too long it will cause all of the other problems to other parts but sounds like you caught it at the right time.

Kind of frustrating that Ford would knowingly continue to use the old design even after discovering there were issues.

[Bazo]

Ya, the solenoid is always the first place to check for those trucks. If left too long it will cause all of the other problems to other parts but sounds like you caught it at the right time.

Kind of frustrating that Ford would knowingly continue to use the old design even after discovering there were issues.

I wish I would have checked it first but I was unfamiliar with the issue. To me it sounded like the hub was going out. Spent way more than I needed to.

[Sackett]

Also, if you replaced the hub yourself, did you install it properly? There's a very important procedure to hold the sleeve in while you out a cap on the vacuum inlet.