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I finally got around to R & R'ing the front axle actuator on Red. That SOB was really in there. I have tons of picks, chisels, screwdrivers and drive pins, but trying to get that out of the aluminum housing was really difficult. This is not a job to try and do on your back with limited clearance and after 25 years of use and corrosion on the aluminum boss.
After trying at least 12 different punches, nothing would move it in the housing. Not going to be outdone by a freaking actuator, I went and found a 15" piece of black pipe 1/2 inch. I cut the end at a 45° angle, and the fun was on again. With the angle, I was able to find a true centering place, and was able to drive it from the housing. After much cleaning and grinding the old corrosion away, it still wouldn't go all the way in. This is a Motorcraft part but still wouldn't fit into the hole fully. I pulled it back out, did a bit of sanding on the plastic where it sets to fit, and finally was able to clear the mount boss.
Damn that was intense, fighting with an inanimate object and losing for 15-30 minutes isn't fun. It fit with a slight modification that should have never been required. Long story short, it fits and works correctly. The fight was all over a burr in the plastic mushroom top. Not something that you see every day. On to replacing the new battery cables this weekend
AK, did your actuator still have the plastic cover on it? Just curious how effective that is... mine is still there.
I think these window moldings look sooooo much better. I can't wait to get them done on my 89 now. Probably be a late fall/early winter project though....
The plastic 3 bolt cover was on it. It definitely keeps the mud off the actuator. After 25 years of Alaskan weather, this came out fairly clean and without any mud or crap being retained. The slide mechanism on mine wouldn't pull in. I tried this morning but it's wedged tight. Surprisingly the gear fully meshes without any play.
Didn't get much done tonight on the car... painted inside the cowl, removed most of the old quarter window seal, and then Quick Roof'd over the holes that will leak.
