I guess, you can take it off, but not without causing crud to get into the bearing assembly and damage it in no time.
Auto hub or manual hub assembly works as a bearing dust cap as well, afaict.
If the auto hub is stuffed and not engaging at all, I guess you can leave it until you fix it, unless the auto hub on the other side is working improperly and engaging when not in 4wd mode.
Either way, I think it's a good idea to take the auto hub out and examine the wheel bearings closely, as well as the caliper, pads, rotors, etc.




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