Blend door repair question: How to take the acuator off the clips?

[Zhu]

My 1996 XLT has the symptoms of a defected blend door. Except the Maxac has cool air, all the other options blow out warm air. It is summer here down under and you can imagine how alloying it is to sit in the car with the warm air blowing on a scorching day.

I searched the forum and found many creative and cheap ways to fix the problem. I decided to DIY and follow the instructions on this webpage http://www.blenddoorfix.netfirms.com/

My problem now is that I couldn't remove the actuator/motor from the clips it's attached to. It's said to "pry up gently" to remove the acuator. I tried gently and then hard, but neither way worked. I couldn't detach the actuator from the front two clips. I would appreciate it if you could give me some tips on how to remove the actuator from the clips. Please be a little bit specific in your description as English is not my native language.

I'd like to use this opportunity to thank the people who share their opinions, experiences, and expertise here. This site is great. Even though I am relatively a very new member, I have benefited a lot already.

 

[hunterdan]

I used a large flat screwdriver to pry it off. Pop the front clips, the slide it under the actuator and pop the rest of it off.

Dan

 

[Zhu]

Thank you very much for your quick reply, Hunterdan. When poping the front clips, where did you put the screwdriver? Under the actuator or or near the clip and under where the actuator is attached to the clip? Did you use a lot of force to get the actuator off the front clips?

Zhu

 

[hunterdan]

I think I started near the clip, once I got one side up I was able to slide the screwdriver under it and pop the rest off.

Dan

 

[Zhu]

Just found out that my actuator was fastened to the clips by three bolts, two in the front and one in the back. I used a number 8 spanner to unscrew the front two bolts and my wife helped me release the one on the back. My hand is too big to do it. I will work on the actuator tomorrow and see how it goes.

Thanks hunterdan for your help!

Zhu

 

[Mrrobalo]

ZHU did it work for you? I just bought one and am trying to figure this out too. Please let me know how it came out as it is hard for me to get in there but my better half will help me

 

[Magicland]

ZHU did it work for you? I just bought one and am trying to figure this out too. Please let me know how it came out as it is hard for me to get in there but my better half will help me

Where did you get yours at, aftermarket or dealer? I've got the dreaded clicking and nothing but heat, so I'm looking to replace mine. I've read all the instructions I can find, and it seems some are just pressure clipped in, while others are bolted. With my luck, mine will be bolted ('97 EB).

 

[Zhu]

To Mrrobalo

Hi Mrrobalo,

Hope this is not too late. It worked. I fixed the problem.The hardest part was to remove the bolt at the back.

 

[Mrrobalo]

Thanks for the ray of hope. I am going out of town for a few days so will try it next week and report back. :exp: