ignition actuator replacement tips or info?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Unfortunately that is a fairly involved job as much of the upper column has to be disassembled. I believe if you know a Ford tech who has done it pay him and watch like a hawk........ I would not do it myself personally and I have seen it done 5 times.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Missoula, MT
Just a thought it would probably be easier to replace the whole column. I spent this last weekend tearing apart the column of a donor to put the parts in mine (manual to automatic so I had to swap some guts) otherwise I would have switched the whole thing. It's not a horrible job just time consuming. If you can find a used column for a decent price I'd say change it and get back on the road.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
i got to do just that about a month ago, i had to come here to even figure out it was called an actuator switch.
its not really all that hard as long as you get another set of hands to help, two minds are better than one.
the only thing i wonder is if someone makes an actuator that isnt made of crap, even aluminum would be better
its not really all that hard as long as you get another set of hands to help, two minds are better than one.
the only thing i wonder is if someone makes an actuator that isnt made of crap, even aluminum would be better
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 867
Likes: 3
From: North Bend
"the only thing i wonder is if someone makes an actuator that isnt made of crap"
Amen to that! That piece should never, ever, ever break. Ever. But yet here we all are, talking about having done it or like me, needing to do it! So frustrating that something so important and hard to get to would be made of some garbage metal.
Anywho, I haven't gotten a spare to change it but it looks to me like swapping the column would be a little easier than jumping through all the hoops to change the part, so it's up to you.
Amen to that! That piece should never, ever, ever break. Ever. But yet here we all are, talking about having done it or like me, needing to do it! So frustrating that something so important and hard to get to would be made of some garbage metal.
Anywho, I haven't gotten a spare to change it but it looks to me like swapping the column would be a little easier than jumping through all the hoops to change the part, so it's up to you.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
i agree, the replacement i got is a cast cheap metal. i dont have the rescources of a pick and pull where i live so i just bought the actuator, guess i just gotta suck it up
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-actuator.html Have a read through the post here by jas88 on the proceedure.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Holladay, UT
I did mine and it wasn't too bad. Tilt steering wheels (which mine is) are a little harder, but still not bad. Here's a good writeup with pictures: http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70454
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