My 2012 F-150 left actuator clicks or smacks in and out. Started a year or so ago. Used to only make noise when raining out. Now occurring more frequently. This is not the hum or grinding most others talk of. It clicks in and out sporadic. Increases frequency when turning gradual to the left. If I put into 4WD it locks in and stops the in and out.

 

So only the left side has issues, nothing strange about the right?
I would first carefully look over the vacuum hoses for runbbing/damage, if the issue is only one side its most likely the IWE though.

 

Many thanks for the info. I am currently waiting on a new solenoid and vacuum hose kit. Going to switch the whole thing out. This was replaced pre 36k miles with a leak. I am at 183k. I will update.

 

Latest Update: I have replaced the solenoid, the vacuum hose kit and the left actuator. After 3 hours of driving the clicking in and out continues. Guessing it could be electrical? Since the weather is bad in Ohio this time of the year anyway, I have been keeping it in 4X4 Auto and have had no issues.

 

I would recommend lifting the vehicle entirely into the air, driving it while its in the air and locating where the noise is exactly coming from.
This would require two people of course

 

Scott,
I would need the front wheels to be spinning. And not in 4X4. In 4X4 it does not make the noise. If the truck is in the air the front will not spin.

 

So lift it up and spin them by hand quickly to duplicate the sound.