Defrost Blend Door Actuator Replacement - 2008 GT

[Blue03Cobra]

Just wanted to report my experience with replacing the subject matter. While moving the A/C selector switch to defrost, I heard a plastic "pop" under the dash. Later that day, I switched to A/C and panel, but the cold air came out of both the defroster vents and panel vents and cooled the windshield to the point of fogging it, quite a bit. During a quick search, I discovered there are four actuators and three are identical. The links below include a YouTube video on the procedure and the Autozone part I used. I'm average size (5'-9", 150 lbs) and it was tight for me and my hands...so if you're a Sasquatch, like Derek from @ViceGripGarage, I'd recommend you find a smaller human to help. I've also included a link to the Harbor Freight finger-wheel socket drives, which I found were better than the tools the YouTuber used. Also, I had the most success with my head in the passenger footwell and my body supported with a padded shop stool, looking up and under the dash. It's a bit of an upside-down contortion routine, but I'm almost 60 and was successful. Once you figure out what you're doing, it doesn't take long. If I had to do another one, today, it'd be a 30 min. job, tops.

Couple of points/pointers:
-It's dark and deep "up in there", so bring light. Lots of light, from multiple angles. I used a bar light a headlamp and small flashlight, all in unison.
-Once you've removed the old actuator, plug the new one into the wiring harness and move the selector switch to defrost. The arm will then move into the correct orientation to install.
-The actuator has an arm and the pin on the arm goes into a slot on the door mechanism. In the video, the guy points to this, but all you can see is the pivot joint...which is NOT where the pin goes. The appropriate position is within a slot that runs down the arm, away from the pivot joint.

https://www.harborfreight.com/thumbwheel-ratchet-set-3-piece-59773.html

Hope this helps and you can find the actuator for less, on other sites, but I wanted it immediately, so local was my choice.

 

[crjackson]

Thanks for sharing.

Dino Dino Bambino has an excellent DIY guide for blend door actuators.

This really should be a sticky!​

How To: Dash Blend Door Actuator Replacement 05-09 Mustang

In total there are four: 1. Floor/dash vent actuator on driver's side behind gauge cluster (Motorcraft part no. YH 1870). 2. Defrost vent actuator on passenger side behind the center console (upper) (Motorcraft part no. YH 1870). 3. Temperature blend door actuator on passenger side behind the...

www.s197forum.com

 

[DieHarder]

Just wanted to report my experience with replacing the subject matter. While moving the A/C selector switch to defrost, I heard a plastic "pop" under the dash. Later that day, I switched to A/C and panel, but the cold air came out of both the defroster vents and panel vents and cooled the windshield to the point of fogging it, quite a bit. During a quick search, I discovered there are four actuators and three are identical. The links below include a YouTube video on the procedure and the Autozone part I used. I'm average size (5'-9", 150 lbs) and it was tight for me and my hands...so if you're a Sasquatch, like Derek from @ViceGripGarage, I'd recommend you find a smaller human to help. I've also included a link to the Harbor Freight finger-wheel socket drives, which I found were better than the tools the YouTuber used. Also, I had the most success with my head in the passenger footwell and my body supported with a padded shop stool, looking up and under the dash. It's a bit of an upside-down contortion routine, but I'm almost 60 and was successful. Once you figure out what you're doing, it doesn't take long. If I had to do another one, today, it'd be a 30 min. job, tops.

Couple of points/pointers:
-It's dark and deep "up in there", so bring light. Lots of light, from multiple angles. I used a bar light a headlamp and small flashlight, all in unison.
-Once you've removed the old actuator, plug the new one into the wiring harness and move the selector switch to defrost. The arm will then move into the correct orientation to install.
-The actuator has an arm and the pin on the arm goes into a slot on the door mechanism. In the video, the guy points to this, but all you can see is the pivot joint...which is NOT where the pin goes. The appropriate position is within a slot that runs down the arm, away from the pivot joint.

View attachment 101628

https://www.harborfreight.com/thumbwheel-ratchet-set-3-piece-59773.html

Hope this helps and you can find the actuator for less, on other sites, but I wanted it immediately, so local was my choice.

Time depends on which one you have to replace. The lowest one on the passenger side is the easiest. They get progressively harder from there depending on location and how large you/your hands are. Never a job I'd look forward to. Dino's instructions are probably the best out there. Cross your fingers you never have to replace all of them at once.

 

[Monkeyporn]

Just wanted to report my experience with replacing the subject matter. While moving the A/C selector switch to defrost, I heard a plastic "pop" under the dash. Later that day, I switched to A/C and panel, but the cold air came out of both the defroster vents and panel vents and cooled the windshield to the point of fogging it, quite a bit. During a quick search, I discovered there are four actuators and three are identical. The links below include a YouTube video on the procedure and the Autozone part I used. I'm average size (5'-9", 150 lbs) and it was tight for me and my hands...so if you're a Sasquatch, like Derek from @ViceGripGarage, I'd recommend you find a smaller human to help. I've also included a link to the Harbor Freight finger-wheel socket drives, which I found were better than the tools the YouTuber used. Also, I had the most success with my head in the passenger footwell and my body supported with a padded shop stool, looking up and under the dash. It's a bit of an upside-down contortion routine, but I'm almost 60 and was successful. Once you figure out what you're doing, it doesn't take long. If I had to do another one, today, it'd be a 30 min. job, tops.

Couple of points/pointers:
-It's dark and deep "up in there", so bring light. Lots of light, from multiple angles. I used a bar light a headlamp and small flashlight, all in unison.
-Once you've removed the old actuator, plug the new one into the wiring harness and move the selector switch to defrost. The arm will then move into the correct orientation to install.
-The actuator has an arm and the pin on the arm goes into a slot on the door mechanism. In the video, the guy points to this, but all you can see is the pivot joint...which is NOT where the pin goes. The appropriate position is within a slot that runs down the arm, away from the pivot joint.

View attachment 101628

https://www.harborfreight.com/thumbwheel-ratchet-set-3-piece-59773.html

Hope this helps and you can find the actuator for less, on other sites, but I wanted it immediately, so local was my choice.

This was a VERY
helpful review I'm in the position of having to do this job AGAIN as the one on the upper passenger side has gone out AGAIN ! I've replaced ALL of these with the exception of the blend door one on the outer passenger side, thats the only one that still OEM from the factory. The other three I've already replaced and it was a BITCH !!! each and every one of them.Now I've got other do one again UGH I hate these Fucking things why can't they make parts of better quality. I bought OEM Ford Acuators every time but it hasn't matter because here I go again. The Harbor Freight finger-wheel socket I'm going to give this a go as its can't be worse than what I used last time. Thanks for your instruction.

 

[Blue03Cobra]

This was a VERY
helpful review

Glad it helped. Best of luck