I went ahead and bought the new actuators.I will forge ahead and install them this weekend and checkout the other lines etc. Thanks everyone for the tips. Also, thanks for the tip that Mid America had them for $169. See it is tips like this that makes the ten dollar investment in the registry really worthwhile. Just saved 40 bucks on the actuators alone.
Anybody complaining about the ten dollars should realize that a Vette is not the car for them and should go buy a Hyundai with a 100,000 mile warranty so they don't have to spend a single dime ever on a car.
Thanks again

WELL SAID, TINLEY!!!

Traditionally, when one wants something for nothing, one tends to get what one pays for.

John

|UPDATED|4/14/2004 8:53:45 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Here we go again with the actuators. I bought new ones from Mid America. Today I took the old RH (passenger) one off and before it was even completely out I saw the outside boot was ripped. I PROBABLY found my problem right off the bat. Removing the old one wasn't bad, but no way was it going to drop down and out the front grille with out ripping up the A/C grille and hitting other stuff. It did slip out the top, however. Next, I tried to install the new one the same way. No way it's going back that way w/o scraping up the hood. For one thing the actuator rod won't recede all the way in now and I swear the new actuator is just a little bigger. The only way around this one is to take the hood off. So tomorrow I 'll get the wife to help me hold the hood and go that way...See the A/C condenser is in the way. Even if I could "negotiate" it through the bottom way, move that support rod out of the way etc., I 'll still hit the condensor grille...HELP!

I had to remove my to remove the radiator and then forgot to put them back in before I put the hood back on. I did get them in with someone holding the hood up as far as it would go. I placed a towel agaist it so I didn't scrath the paint. I also placed a piece of cardboard on the condensor to protect it.

hey Brian,
thanks for responding...I propped up the hood as far as it would go, tried to protect the hood and a/c but I just don't have any room. I guess I'll have to take the hood off, man what a pain! I just can't see them going thorough the grille opening and up that way.....
Dave Gunggoll

Hey, Dave.
Just reworked mine in early March. Started with the hood on . . . forget it! Got the wife to help pull the hood and life was much better.

Use a pencil or some masking tape to mark the exact hinge positions before you pull the hood. It'll save you some on the re-assembly end.

John

|UPDATED|4/23/2004 4:37:41 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

John,

I just told Lisa she had better get some rest as she will be helping me with the hood tommorow! She said we had better do it before she gets her nails done!!!!