Stuck in middle of blend door fix

miatatomark

miatatomark

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Following Jamie's instructions on replacing the blend door actuator without removing the steering column. I've found and removed all the bolts/nuts. I'm at the point in the post where you "pull the driver's side of the dash out toward the seat a few inches". Well, it's not giving at all. It's still attached somewhere on that side and I can't figure out where. The passenger side seems loose and ready to pull out, but what did I miss on the driver's side?
 
miatatomark said:
Following Jamie's instructions on replacing the blend door actuator without removing the steering column. I've found and removed all the bolts/nuts. I'm at the point in the post where you "pull the driver's side of the dash out toward the seat a few inches". Well, it's not giving at all. It's still attached somewhere on that side and I can't figure out where. The passenger side seems loose and ready to pull out, but what did I miss on the driver's side?
Click to expand...

You haven't removed all the nuts. There are two nuts on the drivers side. The one on the side, and there is one just inside. It will need an extension to get to it. Also, did you remove the corner bracket? It is held together with two bolts. This is commonly missed, and located on the transmission hump, and would be where your right knee would be if you were sitting in the driver's seat. Don't forget the two 11mm nuts that are under EATC unit as well.
 
Thanks for the quick response. Yup. Got all those. Been through the post 4 times now looking for something that I missed, but don't see anything. I've yanked pretty hard on it and it's not coming loose. Don't want to pry on it and break something. Took off 6 upper bolts, and total of 7 nuts/bolts across the bottom. Feeling pretty stupid to get this far and not being able to pull the dash out!
 
That's the post I was following. Looks like it worked for everyone but me! I must be special.
 
Do an inventory of your nuts and bolts on the bottom. You should have two 16mm nuts for the left (Driver's side) two 16mm bolts and a angle bracket for the middle, two 11mm nuts from under the EATC, and one 16 mm bolt/nut combo. The top should be five or six 10mm bolts. Check and make sure you got all of them. The Dash should be so limp that it should fall forward a little.
 
Thanks Gman. Yeah. I've got all the bolts out. I went in sequence. The right side of the dash and the center now pull out (i.e. past the bolt the nuts were on under the eatc on top of the hump) fine, but something's still bolted on the drivers side. Got the bolt behind the wiper delay module. Got all 6 top bolts. Still stuck. Taking a beer break.
 
Thanks. When it wouldn't come out at first, I dropped the column, but didn't have any effect on it. I may try again later after I stink about it for a few minutes. Maybe food will fix it.
 
Did you get the one behind the Wiper Delay Module?

90b19d8d.jpg


You have to pull the module to see it.
 
Yup. Got that one. Also noticed that my actuator arm/connecting rod is intact. The gray blend door arm is broken on the end. Of course I have a new actuator. Not what I need.
 
thats sucks.. ill be doing this, this weekend hopefully...
 
miatatomark said:
Yup. Got that one. Also noticed that my actuator arm/connecting rod is intact. The gray blend door arm is broken on the end. Of course I have a new actuator. Not what I need.
Click to expand...

I bought a beater 97 LSC in Stuart that I will be towing home this coming weekend. If you wanted to meet me there, you can take what you need. I'm not sure if I will part it or flip it.
 
This one.
443cab7f.jpg

And this one on the far right.
bf1363d0.jpg

Are the only ones on drivers side besides the one behind the Wiper Delay Module.
And the bolts on top of the dash.
 
Purpony-I'm sure it will work fine for ya. The instructions were excellent an flowed well. I did use a bunch of small, styrofoam cups to keep the nuts/bolts separate for each step, so I know I followed the instructions.

My Great 8-I think that gray arm is still available for the '98. It just means the car has to sit 'til it gets shipped. But thanks for the offer.

I'd still like to put the new actuator in and make the mods, but gotta get the dash farther out to access it.
 
Ford nut-I know! I'm not too sure what the steering sliding joint is or looks like. I did unbolt the column and lay it down, then tried to pull the dash with no luck. Is there something else that I could have done to overcome a seized sliding joint?
 
Gman, After I couldn't get the dash off after removing all the nuts and bolts I was supposed to, I pulled the 4 nuts holding the column up and laid it against the ductwork underneath it. Still didn't release the dash, but seemed to move with it when I was yankin on it?
 
It must be the column is still hung up.

The dash should almost fall out.
 
How does one go about unhanging a column? Where does the dash meet the column that would hang it up if it's sitting down on the ductwork? Don't mean to sound stupid. Just 62 years old.
 
You have to lift the dash as you pull back. An inch or so. There's a cone shaped grommet in the bottom of the instrument panel that fits into a hole in the tranny tunnel where the harness passes through.
That can sometimes get hung up.
 
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