I have a 97 F250 that I need to replace a sticky front axle 4WD Actuator? Anyone ever do one & can it been done by a someone with some 1/2 decent mechanic skills? Any info and/or directions would be welcomed & appreciated.
Thanks
Bob

 

There's a plastic cover over the actuator. Remove the 3 bolts attaching the cover. The actuator is held in place by an "E-clip". Slide the clip off and work the actuator out of the hole it mounts in. Remove the vacuum lines, noting the position of the colored lines. The difficulty in getting it out of the mounting hole is relative to the corrosion/mud/grease that has accumulated over the years. Installation is the reverse. You're sure it's the actuator and not a broken vacuum line?
View the Technical section of my Gallery for photos of the vacuum actuator system.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=26547

You can also search my and others posts for troubleshooting and discussions on the subject.

 

Thanks Steve:
I have plenty of vacuum at the acuator motor when it is in 4wd. In fact when I pulled the vacuum line off the acuator to verify vacuum, and then put the vacuum line back on, it went right in to 4wd. But when I go back to 2wd & then try to shift bact to 4wd it does not go in. I got it locked into 4wd right now with cable ties so I can snow plow. But I got to get a replacement acuator. Looks like the diafram is sticking.
Bob

 

They're about a hundred bucks from the Ford vendors here, I think.
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