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How To Replace 4WD Actuator 1997-2004 Ford F150
How to Replace 4WD Actuator 1997-2003 Ford F-150
Created on:
Tools used
Sandpaper
Hammer
Flat Blade Screwdriver
Rubber Mallet
Rust Penetrant
Pry Bar
10mm Wrench
10mm Socket
Ratchet
Wire Brush
Safety Glasses
1. Removing the 4WD Actuator
Remove the three 10mm bolts from the actuator's shield
Pry out the horseshoe clamp from the 4WD actuator
Pull the boot back and insert a pry bar between the boot and bracket
Hammer the end of the pry bar to loosen the actuator
Remove the actuator from the bracket
Disconnect the 4WD actuator
2. Installing the 4WD Actuator
Clean the bracket off with sandpaper
Lace the outside of detent with grease
Insert the actuator into place
Tap the actuator in if needed
Install the rubber boot
Install the horseshoe clamp
Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. We've been selling auto parts for over 30 years. We're dedicated to delivering quality auto parts, expert customer service, fast and free shipping, all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Visit us at 1AAuto.com, your trusted source for quality auto parts.
The front axle actuator is underneath the front, right side on the front of the front axle. Three 10 millimeter bolts hold it: One there. Just use a wire brush to clean off that one there. Then there's one way up in here. Remove it with a 10 millimeter socket ratchet extension. Unfortunately, it won't work for that one. We'll use a wrench for this 10 millimeter bolt.
We have it up on a lift, but there's no reason you can't crawl underneath your vehicle. A great tool is a ratcheting wrench for this one. The actuator's held in place by a C-clamp here. The case is aluminum, and ours is stuck in there, so we're just going to put some rust penetrant around it. Hopefully, we can get in there and free it up. You pull the boot back. You want to avoid damaging that rubber boot. Clamp on there and see if we can drive it out. Use something smaller to be able to drive it the rest of the way through. Pull it out the rest of the way, and then disconnect your vacuum lines. Twist and pull off the orange ones towards the actuator and the blue one's towards the flat part.
Here’s the original actuator from the vehicle and the new one from 1A Auto. You can see that they are exactly the same. They have the same vacuum fittings, same shaft, and new one from 1A Auto is going to have the full range of motion all the way out and all the way back in a little over the three quarters of an inch. You can see what happens with these original ones. It's lost its range of motion and it's not working properly, so it's not engaging the axle. This happens often. This is one of the reasons why they suggest that you shift into four-wheel drive every once in a while even when you don't need it to keep these working correctly. The one from 1A Auto is going to go in just like the original mount and fix up the problem.
Use some abrasive sandpaper or scaling pads to try and clean up inside the mounting hole as well as possible. We've got a small grinding bit, and we're just really going clean out this hole to make it easier to mount the new one. The actuator has a little detent right here. We've put some grease on the outside. That detent has to line up right there, so I just fill it. With the grease and everything cleaned out, it should go right in. Just make sure you got it properly lined from the backside here, and then a tap with a rubber mallet. Should seat it in the rest of the way. Still have the rubber boot. The port in between the actuator and the arm. Push the actuator. Seat the actuator, and install your C-clamp. Clean up our C-clamp so it's as thin as it can be. I'm going to put the boot back on. Then the vacuum lines. The pink or orange one goes to that side. Push on and twist. Then the blue one goes to this side. Put your cover back up in and put the three bolts on that hold it.
Thanks for watching. Visit us at 1AAuto.com for quality auto parts, fast and free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry.
Tools used
Sandpaper
Hammer
Anti-Seize Grease
Chisel
600-300
In Stock
Product Reviews
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4 Wheel drive actuator & solenoids.
Marvin
December 10, 2018
Watched 1AAuto videos and received good very good information for my repair. Order process was very simple. Parts came within 4 days. Exact replacement parts. Full stop shop. Marv - Mn
Part doesnt fit without modifications
Scott
February 2, 2019
Grinding is needed on the vehicles bracket to install locking clip on the actuator. 1aauto needs to check their measurements
Just Installed 1A Parts Actuator
Y
March 18, 2020
Thanks to 1A Parts actuator how-to tutorial video. I knew exactly how to remove the defective part and install the replacement part correctly. My trucks issue was after driving the F150 4x4 truck until it warmed up I would begging to hear bearing noise in the front drive train. I also replaced the 2 wheel solenoid as well. I believe one of these parts was losing vacuum after it got warm.
4wd
Stacy
June 24, 2021
Worked as described!!!
Customer Q&A
I have a 2002 f 150 and my 4x4 floor shift will not move into 4 hi from 2h is this the part that most likely will cause this problem?Thanks, PaulDecember 20, 2017
P A
10
This could be the part causing your situation, but there are other parts which may cause it too. It is recommended to have diagnosed locally to ensure a proper repair the first time.
December 21, 2017
Alex P
Customer service
877-844-3393
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 9:30pm ET Saturday - Sunday 8:00am - 4:30pm ET
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