Vacuum hub problem

[Bobomc]

I have a 2000 Ford Ranger 4X4 and it stopped going into 4 wheel drive. I heard a grinding sound from the driver's side that sounded like it might be a brake pad issue becuase when i stepped on the brake it seems to lessen. I pulled the front wheel off and found the vacumm pulse hub lock missing. I didn't even know what it was until I looked it up on line. It had not fallen off and I believe someone had stolen it. I have 2 questions if someone can help me. Why isn't there a VPH on the passenger's side and should I replace the whole assembly now that I know it is a bearing in the assemlby and not the brake pad causing the noice?

 

[don4331]

Welcome to Ranger Station:

If your truck is a '00; it shouldn't have PVH; it should have a live axle (you can tell looking at ends of axles - if it is threaded/has nut, live axle; just splines missing PVH).

Bearing issue won't stop live axle from going into 4x4...

Don

 

[hondaxr650]

Welcome to Ranger Station:

If your truck is a '00; it shouldn't have PVH; it should have a live axle (you can tell looking at ends of axles - if it is threaded/has nut, live axle; just splines missing PVH).

Bearing issue won't stop live axle from going into 4x4...

Don

If it's an early 2000, it will have PVH. They did away with it mid-year, sometime in July if I remember correctly.
The only time I have seen a PVH spit out on it's own was due to a bad spindle bearing and chewed up outer c/v joint that let the axle wobble around too much. You may want to investigate further by pulling the wheel bearing assembly and looking at the bearing and shaft.

 

[bmerr98]

If you do end up needing a new hub consider going to the manual hubs by AVM/Rugged Ridge. Less expensive than the replacement PVH's and far more reliable.

 

[don4331]

If he has to replace the PVHs as they are both AWOL; and a wheel bearing, I would suggest getting full time shafts/appropriate bearings. Then no one can appropriate the hubs because there wouldn't be any...