Shift Actuator change in One Hour

So I was reading on people changing their shift actuator, doing everything from taking out the steering rack, hours of frustration or a 1k dealer labor charge.

I didn't get many pictures since I was already halfway into the job and it was dark. But its easy enough to understand.

Taking off the left front wheel, jack up the car and put your jackstand and wheel under the car for good measure, set parking brake and disconnect 12v battery to prevent codes.

Reaching underneath you can easily reach and loosen the bottom 2 T-30 star bolts within minutes.

The top bolt is what is concealed.

But theres a better way. An access door, of sorts.

Reach between the brake pedal and gas pedal and peel back the carpet, exposing a black plastic steering shaft cover and 2 white nuts you can remove by hand.

Take off the cover and theres a metal ring with clip on top. Remove the ring and you can push down the rubber boot in the firewall, tucking it down and to the right.

Now the top bolt is exposed behind the steering linkage.

You can prop a flashlight up under the dash to see what you're doing. This job was actually easier at night because a flashlight doesn't help much during the day.

Using your T 30 on a swivel extension, use a piece of 2 inch tape wrapped around the extension to hold it straight.

You can now remove the top bolt through some trial and error. I went from the left of the steering shaft.

Go back underneath and push the connector up with a flathead. Tuck it away to the left.

Remove and replace with new. Put the spindle in separately first, making sure the outer metal teeth are seated and flush before replacing the cover.

Put everything back and you're good to go. I had to do it twice to reseat the gear because I put them in together the first time and the gear will not seat that way.

If any issue repeat procedure and reset 12v battery negative to clear codes.

 

Yes.