Well, I tried the fix...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...cks-fixed.html

...but unfortunately my motor was shot.

Taking it in, and out (must have been about 8 times) to see if I had somehow managed to mess up the process, gave me the experience needed to cut the replacement time down to about 45 minutes.

Ordered a new one from one of the site sponsors

http://www.directfordparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214290

they sent me the newer type.

Great price of: Subtotal: $45.45
Shipping: $10.95
Tax: $0.00

and only 3 days U.S. Postal Service all the way from Nev. to NY.

So for less than $57 got a new great working lock, and a little more know-how!

 

I still do not understand why someone would pay that much to keep the stock actuators. When a couple of mine gave out, I get a set of 4 audiovox actuators for ~$20. I left the original ones in and just mounted the aftermarket ones in line with them. My doors lock hard. If someone has their arm too close, it will pinch hard enough to bruise. Best part is, if one ever fails, they are in a real easy place to get to. Wouldn't take long to replace at all.

I debated on how to fix mine at the time. But the ~$40/ea price tag and the PITA that they are to remove and reinstall made my decision pretty easy.

Good luck and I hope you get it all fixed up. But if you have problems again, you might want to consider what I did.