okay i have removed what i could and am now looking at a corroded vacuum line-(not the rubber tubing) the hard line that is 4" long with a 90 degree bend at the top that comes out of the top of the steering knuckle(backside of hub assembly)-its ready to crumble to pieces!

i think i found the reason why that hub didnt engage into 4 wheel drive!

now my questions
[1] is it replaceable?
[2] how do you replace it?
[3] is it a factory replacement part?
[4] do i have to replace steering knuckle?

[5]is it time to go to manual lockers? least expensive fix?
which lockers for my truck?
1999 Xlt 3.0 4 wheel ABS

post links please-thanks spud

thanks for every ones time

 

since no one replied here is what i am going to do
there is a link for making your hubs into push button lockers-it is a easy thing to do-no more vacuum hassles (will the disabled vacuum lines mess with the truck?) it involves cutting out the center hole screen and plastic supports-then one can push the hub center in to engage and half push in to disengage -here is the link

Adding Manual Control to your 1998-2000 Ford Ranger Pulse Vacuum Hubs .: Articles

1st question is-since taking out the center cover of the hubs-if and will water get in the hubs and ruin the innards ?

2nd questionis when i engaged the passenger side hub and turned the hub which in turn turned half shafts to transfer case i could feel and hear the transfer case click /vibrate/hum(this project started because of severe hum which increased with speed load and no load) i have not checked oil level in transfer case yet....so if case is bad and hub/s were stuck in gear because of faulty vacuum lines(remember they are corroded) and was not truly freewheeling because of vacuum line-could the T Case be causing the Hum ?
why would it stop when turning right at high speed?-or is it still a bad bearing?
inquiring minds want to know-Thanks Spud