Integrated Wheel End (IWE) System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The IWE system consists of the following components:

Vacuum reservoir
IWE solenoid
IWEs (spring-loaded vacuum hubs)
Vacuum hoses
Check valve
Brake booster vacuum pump (3.5L engine only)

The IWE system, used on ESOF and 2-speed torque-on-demand equipped vehicles, uses vacuum hubs that engage or disengage the front wheel hubs from the front halfshafts.

The IWE solenoid receives engine vacuum from the vacuum reservoir. When the 4WD system is in 2H mode, the TCCM supplies a ground path to the IWE solenoid to apply vacuum to the IWEs (disengaging the front hubs from the front halfshafts). When operating in any 4x4 mode, the TCCM does not supply the ground path to the IWE solenoid, vacuum is not applied to the IWEs and an internal spring keeps the front hubs engaged to the front halfshafts. Vehicles equipped with a 3.5L engine are also equipped with an electrically-driven brake booster vacuum pump located behind the LH headlamp assembly. For additional information, REFER to POWER BRAKE ACTUATION . As a first step in service, eliminate obvious items such as loose wiring connections, loose vacuum connections or damaged vacuum lines.