🔧 The most common cause of front wheel grinding on a Gen1 Raptor isn’t the hubs. It’s a $5 vinyl vacuum line.
Ford’s Integrated Wheel End (IWE) system uses vacuum to disengage the front hubs during 2WD driving. On the Gen1 Raptor — 2010 through 2014 — the system runs a combination of rubber and vinyl lines through the engine bay. The rubber dual-lumen line generally holds up. The vinyl single runs and plastic tee connector don’t. They crack, harden, and split from heat cycling and age, bleeding vacuum and causing the hubs to partially engage.
That’s the grinding noise. That’s the ratcheting sound at highway speed. That’s the noise that makes every Gen1 owner think their front end is falling apart.
It isn’t. The vinyl lines just need to go.
⚠️ Before you order — diagnose first:
Vacuum leaks in the IWE lines are the most common cause of hub grinding on the Gen1 Raptor, but not the only one. Before ordering, verify vacuum integrity at the IWE actuator and check valve. If the vacuum holds at those components, the lines and tee are your culprit, and this kit fixes it permanently. If the actuator or check valve itself has failed mechanically, those components need to be addressed separately.
Diagnose first. Buy with confidence.
✔ Why this kit is different:
Every other IWE kit on the market uses generic rubber or vinyl lines — the same material that’s already failing on your truck. Some use generic silicone hose cut to length. Neither is purpose-built for this application.
The Infinity Overland kit uses a custom dual-lumen VMQ silicone extrusion — tooled specifically to Ford’s IWE routing specifications. Correct bore diameter. Correct wall thickness. Correct lumen spacing. Paired with a solid machined brass tee connector that replaces the factory plastic fitting permanently.
This is the only full silicone IWE kit on the market. Not a workaround. A replacement.
🚗 VMQ Silicone — built for underhood abuse:
The IWE system on the Gen1 Raptor runs directly above the exhaust manifold. Temperature matters more here than almost anywhere else under the hood. VMQ silicone handles –58°F to +482°F continuous. It won’t harden, crack, or collapse under heat cycling. Ozone and UV resistant. Install it once and forget about it.
Factory vinyl lines are a ticking clock. VMQ silicone isn’t.
What’s in the kit:
- Custom VMQ silicone dual-lumen vacuum lines — rated to 392°F continuous
- Solid brass tee connector — replaces factory plastic split fitting
- OEM-style retention clips — routes and mounts exactly like factory
- Complete hardware — everything needed, nothing extra required
📦 What’s Included
• Pre-cut silicone vacuum line assembly
• Correct hose lengths for the IWE system
• Ready for installation
🔧 Installation
Straightforward replacement following the path of the factory lines. No modification required. If you can change a hose, you can install this kit. Typical install time 30–45 minutes.
- Locate the factory IWE vacuum lines running to the front hubs
- Remove the original vinyl and rubber vacuum lines
- Install the silicone replacement lines following the factory routing path
- Verify vacuum operation and confirm hub disengagement
No special tools required. Full installation instructions included.
🧰 Why Upgrade to Silicone Vacuum Lines?
Factory rubber vacuum lines can become brittle and crack over time due to heat and age.
Silicone hoses offer improved resistance to:
• engine bay heat
• cracking and aging
• vacuum leaks
Upgrading to silicone lines can help improve the long-term reliability of the IWE hub system.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the grinding noise on my Gen1 Raptor? The most common cause is a vacuum leak in the IWE system. When the vinyl lines or plastic tee connector crack and lose vacuum, the front hubs partially engage even in 2WD — producing a grinding or ratcheting noise from the front wheels. Replacing the lines with this kit permanently eliminates the vacuum leak.
Will this definitely fix my grinding noise? If the grinding is caused by a vacuum leak in the IWE lines — which is the most common cause — yes. If the IWE actuator, check valve, or hub itself has failed mechanically, those components need to be addressed separately. We recommend diagnosing the vacuum system before ordering to confirm the lines are the source of the leak.
Why silicone instead of replacing with OEM rubber lines? OEM replacement lines use the same vinyl material that’s already failing. You’re buying the same problem with a new clock on it. VMQ silicone doesn’t harden, crack, or split under heat cycling. It’s a permanent material upgrade, not a like-for-like replacement.
What makes this kit different from other silicone IWE kits? This is the only full silicone kit on the market using a custom dual-lumen VMQ extrusion purpose-built to Ford’s IWE specifications. Other kits use generic silicone hose cut to approximate lengths. Our extrusion was tooled to the correct bore diameter, wall thickness, and lumen spacing for this exact application. The brass tee connector also replaces the factory plastic fitting — a common failure point most kits ignore.
How long does installation take? Most installs take 30–45 minutes following the factory line routing. No special tools required.
Does this ship free? Yes. Free shipping within the continental United States. Ships from Nevada.
🇺🇸 Shipping
Shipping is included within the continental United States.
Orders ship from Nevada.
Jason Perry –
I installed this on my previous raptor, and now my gen 2. its a great upgrade to fords design, I feel like it has better vacuum than the original plastic lines. even with the failing hub it created enough vacuum to get the iwe to work better even though it had failed. after replacing the iwe with new no more lunk works better than stock. its a tedious install and does not come with instructions, but if you take it off one clip at a time and install the new set as your removing the old set it will make sense.. wear mechanics gloves if you dont wanna cut up your hands. as for the product itself its very well made, thick silicone and looks fantastic. thanks guys!