There is an easy fix for that. Use a sheet metal screw with a head that is the proper size to slide into the space where the plastic piece used to. Then cut yourself a piece of vaccum hose and slide it over the rod and the thread on the screw and you have a flexible joint that works fine.

I use ACM evap. German made with expansion valve attached, they are all aluminum and cost about $250- 300.

As was said above change all six vacuum elements and consider a new blower with squirrel cages, I use ACM for that too.