Slight Rubbing Sound When Slowing Down

[TJE]

I noticed about a month ago when it got cold, that on my way to work I felt/heard a very slight rubbing noise when coming to a stop. I didn't think much of it, but over the last few weeks I've noticed it here and there, typically in the first few minutes of driving, and typically when it's colder and when in normal mode (2wd). This morning I ran to the gas station and went through McDonald's (neither more than a mile from my house) and I noticed it every time I slowed down while in 5th or 6th gear, and every time it downshifted to 4th or below the sound went away, if I slowed down in 3rd gear there was no noise at all. I rolled down my windows the last time, and it's making a sound like the tire is very lightly rubbing on something.

I checked on the GEN14 forums and some people were having similar issues but most noticed it when going 15mph faster than me and only when making a right turn. The discussion over there is partial engagement of the Electronic IWE, but no one has had much luck with the dealer being able to replicate/fix it. I was also wondering since mine only happens while slowing down in 5th and 6th gear if maybe it's a transmission issue?

22 402A, 12k miles

Any advice/direction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Johnny B]

Yep, I've been experiencing something very similar. Sort of a card in the bike spokes Ffft-ffft-ffft type of noise when driving slowly--usually 12mph to 24mph range. Above about 25mph either it goes away, or I cannot hear it due to other noise. Initially I thought it was something rubbing a wheel or driveline and looked a few times under the vehicle to see what it was.

I noticed that it happens more often when it's cold also. It happened a lot last winter, but then seemed to disappear over the summer--I thought it was solved. But it has returned as it cooled this winter.

I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the Electronic IWE. The noise happens in 2WD and 4WD, but if I switch from one to the other the noise goes away, even if I switch back--2WD-4WD-2WD. Maybe something not fully connecting / disconnecting in the IWE? Somewhere I read that the IWE engages when it is cold to warm up?

I'm pretty sure it is not the transmission. The noise is connected to the wheel speed and continues even if I shift the transmission into neutral. My local dealership said they could hear the noise and wanted to replace the entire front differential. They said it was a bad pinion bearing. But after a few conversations with them (and bad service from them on some other things) I realized they were clueless and I declined to have them replace the differential.

2022 402A, 13k miles

Best, JB

 

[KMAC777]

I noticed about a month ago when it got cold, that on my way to work I felt/heard a very slight rubbing noise when coming to a stop. I didn't think much of it, but over the last few weeks I've noticed it here and there, typically in the first few minutes of driving, and typically when it's colder and when in normal mode (2wd). This morning I ran to the gas station and went through McDonald's (neither more than a mile from my house) and I noticed it every time I slowed down while in 5th or 6th gear, and every time it downshifted to 4th or below the sound went away, if I slowed down in 3rd gear there was no noise at all. I rolled down my windows the last time, and it's making a sound like the tire is very lightly rubbing on something.

I checked on the GEN14 forums and some people were having similar issues but most noticed it when going 15mph faster than me and only when making a right turn. The discussion over there is partial engagement of the Electronic IWE, but no one has had much luck with the dealer being able to replicate/fix it. I was also wondering since mine only happens while slowing down in 5th and 6th gear if maybe it's a transmission issue?

22 402A, 12k miles

Any advice/direction would be greatly appreciated.

I noticed about a month ago when it got cold, that on my way to work I felt/heard a very slight rubbing noise when coming to a stop. I didn't think much of it, but over the last few weeks I've noticed it here and there, typically in the first few minutes of driving, and typically when it's colder and when in normal mode (2wd). This morning I ran to the gas station and went through McDonald's (neither more than a mile from my house) and I noticed it every time I slowed down while in 5th or 6th gear, and every time it downshifted to 4th or below the sound went away, if I slowed down in 3rd gear there was no noise at all. I rolled down my windows the last time, and it's making a sound like the tire is very lightly rubbing on something.

I checked on the GEN14 forums and some people were having similar issues but most noticed it when going 15mph faster than me and only when making a right turn. The discussion over there is partial engagement of the Electronic IWE, but no one has had much luck with the dealer being able to replicate/fix it. I was also wondering since mine only happens while slowing down in 5th and 6th gear if maybe it's a transmission issue?

22 402A, 12k miles

Any advice/direction would be greatly appreciated.

Did you ever figure out what was wrong with your truck? I've been having the same problem but both times I've taken it in, they said nothings wrong. The sound seems to be loudest when it hasn't been driven in a little while.

 

[gyongue]

I’m interested as well. Having a very similar situation. In the cold or when truck isn’t warmed up. I notice mine as I’m rolling to a stop. Seems to be LF. I have a 21 402A 16k miles. Just started within the last thousand miles or so.

 

[TJE]

Did you ever figure out what was wrong with your truck? I've been having the same problem but both times I've taken it in, they said nothings wrong. The sound seems to be loudest when it hasn't been driven in a little while.

Nope. On the gen14 forums it sounds like it's getting more common. According to a few who have taken it in and gotten an answer, ford is aware of the issues and are allegedly working on it. No fix at the moment.

I've noticed that it doesn't happen in 4A, at all. As a result I've been running in 4A every time it gets colder. Last few days I've had it in 4a in the mornings (20 degrees or so), but in the afternoons it's been getting up to 60 so I put it back on 2a and it hasn't happened.

 

[caslim]

Is this the same noise?

 

[gyongue]

Is this the same noise?

Mine is different and is while it is rolling.

 

[TJE]

Is this the same noise?

Mine doesn't sound like that at all. Only when slowing down at low speed. When I stop the noise stops.

 

[samb]

Same issue. Started at ~15k and got progressively worse. Unbearable at ~40k so I took it in. Was able to repro with the lead tech in the truck. They replaced both front hubs under powertrain warranty. ‘21 402A.

I doubt replacing the hubs will fix the fundamental underlying issue but at least this will buy time until Ford figures it out.

 

[samb]

Update: Grinding sound has returned less than 300 miles after dealer replaced both front hubs.

 

[TJE]

Update: Grinding sound has returned less than 300 miles after dealer replaced both front hubs.

Good to know that its not worth our time I guess.....sucks though.
Everything I've seen or heard (at least online) makes it seem like it's something they could/will have to fix with a software update. We were talking about it on the other forum, they even know which module is causing the issue of engaging when it isn't necessary. One guy was going to just unlpug the IWE to see what hapoens. You'd think if it's costing them money to replace hubs and other parts they'd get on it.

 

[SKTrem]

22 402a with about 25K (KM).. I had a 2013 f150 with a very similar sound/feel. Took out the IWE actuator and it was pretty mangled up..

Anyway.. now that I have this new Tremor, I am experiencing almost the same thing coming from the front left side. Almost sounds like the tire is rubbing against something (slower speeds, usually after turns).

IWE’s are electronic now or EIWE’s.. was reading on gen14 (many peeps reporting same issue) that it could be the grease getting stiff from the cold impacting the actuator engagement/disengagement. Some said that Ford has the EIWE’s programmed to engage automatically when it’s cold to warm up the front diff (or something related) for the first few miles or so.. if front hubs and EWIE’s are being replaced and the problems still persists.. the above could be valid?

Took to dealer.. said it is happening but nothing from Ford on it yet.

 

[TJE]

22 402a with about 25K (KM).. I had a 2013 f150 with a very similar sound/feel. Took out the IWE actuator and it was pretty mangled up..

Anyway.. now that I have this new Tremor, I am experiencing almost the same thing coming from the front left side. Almost sounds like the tire is rubbing against something (slower speeds, usually after turns).

IWE’s are electronic now or EIWE’s.. was reading on gen14 (many peeps reporting same issue) that it could be the grease getting stiff from the cold impacting the actuator engagement/disengagement. Some said that Ford has the EIWE’s programmed to engage automatically when it’s cold to warm up the front diff (or something related) for the first few miles or so.. if front hubs and EWIE’s are being replaced and the problems still persists.. the above could be valid?

Took to dealer.. said it is happening but nothing from Ford on it yet.

Pretty much what I've seen. Although the temp thing might not be true. Guys in Florida and California have been reporting these issues, it was almost 60 the other day and it happened to me. But it sounds exactly like what everyone else is experiencing. Have you tried switching to 4A and see if it goes away? That's what I've been doing, gives me an excuse to put it on sport when it's not snowy or icy at the moment.

 

[SKTrem]

Interesting if it’s not cold temps impacting.. that only broadens the scope of this issue.
Yeah.. I’m usually in 4a in the winters up here in Canada unless the snow is completely melted off the roads. Hard to really tell if switching from 4h to 4a works like it has for others.

 

[TJE]

Interesting if it’s not cold temps impacting.. that only broadens the scope of this issue.
Yeah.. I’m usually in 4a in the winters up here in Canada unless the snow is completely melted off the roads. Hard to really tell if switching from 4h to 4a works like it has for others.

I'd be curious to see if it goes away when it's above 60 degrees consistently instead of just once. And it started happening this winter, so who knows. But yeah, if when it gets into the 80s/90s this summer it still happens, that definition changes things

 

[Tremour RB]

My Tremour jut started doing this. The day before I used the trail turn assist feature to do a u-turn. Wander if that created the problem? Anyone get it fixed yet?

 

[TJE]

My Tremour jut started doing this. The day before I used the trail turn assist feature to do a u-turn. Wander if that created the problem? Anyone get it fixed yet?

I've never used the trail assist. Last I checked no fix yet. Getting the EIWE replaced doesn't fix it, seems like from what others have said it might be a software issue, but no one seems to know for sure

 

[Poorspecimen]

I’m in SoCal and have the same issue. I’ve taken it to the dealer a couple of time but they can’t replicate it. Fortunately/unfortunately it stopped for the several days. I guess we will see.

 

[SKTrem]

User from Gen14 just posted this. Said was hitting a dead end and an engineer from Ford (I believe) shared this procedure that the dealer hadn’t performed before. They are reporting no issues after a week (so far).

 

[TJE]

User from Gen14 just posted this. Said was hitting a dead end and an engineer from Ford (I believe) shared this procedure that the dealer hadn’t performed before. They are reporting no issues after a week (so far).

View attachment 27487

I saw that. This is promising. Getting your dealer to do it might be a fight, but if after a month or so his problems are gone it's a fight worth having.