dismantle front hubs 99 F350 4x4

[blewis999]

The auto hubs stopped working on my 99, couldn't even turn the locking bar/slot on the front. So I took it apart when I was doing the brakes and used some WD40 and the hub locks and now it unlocks easy.
1)
But here is the problem, I can see there is no grease, ...nothing in the hub. The outside carrier hub gear is aluminum (a bit chintkzy I think) but there appears to be no wear. I removed the two retaining rings on the hub thinking I could disassemble the hub to clean it but I can't get the center plastic insert out to remove the inner gear. Should I just WD40 the whole mess and put back together with out any grease? Or should I take it apart and put some form of lubricant on the gears. It looks to me like it has never had any grease.
2)
I am concerned that the 4x4 vacuum pull to lock the front hub in is not working (from dash) but I don't know how to check with everything apart. Can anyone advise me and how hard is it to take the system apart (or should I) to clean it?

I think maybe the system stopped working because the front hub mechanism stopped working.

Thanks in advanc for advice. I don't have any experience with this side of the truck.

[southmike]

vacum problems often show up in ac controls locking to defrost only..but mine didn't hose , my was cut on fnt axel.

have a look at guzzles's page
i think he had an article on greasing them.

[JimTJr]

You can take them completely appart. Not sure what you cant get apart on yours, have any pictures to show where you "Stopped" at? I have had them apart all the way down to the two plastic "Cage" pieces inside. There are a couple clips in there.

[my3wags]

Try This link Lots of good info.

Good luck
Erik