1998 Buick Park Avenue Mode Door Actuator

How many have a 1/4 inch Swivel Joint ???

  • Yes

    Votes: 5 100.0%
  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    5

Indycars

Administrator
Staff member
This actuator is located on the the driver side and next to the center of the dash, up and right
of the accelerator pedal. I had to remove 4 screws to get the sound panel out so that I could
see the two actuator on the driver side, there are 4 actuators in total. They do change
depending on the side of the vehicle, so make sure you order for the correct position.

I have the Factory Manuals, but they were of only little help and never showed me how to
actually remove actuators. I've been on my head up-side-down with my feet over the
head-rest for 3-4 hours now and finally got the actuator out. For some reason it did not
want to come off the shaft and then it pretty much fell out, not sure what the reason was.

You will need a 7/32 inch socket to remove the actuator screws in three places. You will
also need a 1/4 inch drive socket set to be small enough to get into those tight places.
Swivel joint will be a plus.

FP01_LeftSoundInsulatorRemoval_00933.jpg
FP01_SoundPanel_00921.jpg
FP01_ModeDoorActuatorMountingPoints_00928.jpg
FP01_ModeDoorSurounding_00932.jpg
FP01_ModeDoorActuatorInternals_00925.jpg
FP01_ModeDoorActuatorPartNumbers_00926.jpg
Swivel Joint

FP01_SwivelJoint.jpg
 
Last edited:
Late model daily driver repairs.
Usually get 1 hour to change most HVAC Actuators out in a shop..
Some you have to pull the entire dash out and at times remove the entire HVAC box assembly from the car.
Get 6-8 hours to do that in a shop as a Mechanic today.
 
I see lots and lots of comments on the Internet, they must fail all the time. I had one replaced by
a local shop about a year ago and it cost $500.
 
I see lots and lots of comments on the Internet, they must fail all the time. I had one replaced by
a local shop about a year ago and it cost $500.
All the time Yes.
My Old 87 Corvette has what's called the C68 HVAC option.
Has digital display temp contol.
1 Electric actuator.
Rest are old style vacuum belows.

1994 Suburban with blown 4L60e yet the Electric actuators work yet.
1999 Tahoe they work fine...Glad.
Wife's old 1999 Actuators work fine...Very Glad Happy !
 
I bought a Dorman actuator hoping it might be the right part, but no it's not right. I cannot find
the part anywhere, I've looked at all the GM parts houses, Dorman, AC-Delco and the major local
parts franchises. They all have the blend door or the inlet door actuator. I'm not about to pay for
a dealer item only!!!

I was looking on Ebay for a used one and didn't see any, but I came across the gear that I need. It
was available in plastic $20 or in metal for $25 with shipping. I've repaired plastic gears before and
was prepared to go that route again until I found the gear that I need.

I bought the Dorman 604-111 in hopes that it would work, it did not.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AIHNM6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the metal gear I bought.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ALL-METAL-...rentrq:98591f4e1660aca48f7ec10bfff55420|iid:1
ModeDoorGear01.JPG

ModeDoorGear.JPG
 
Never seen that nice Aftermarket Bull gear available but never looked.

Some Mom and Pops parts stores are left local.
A.C. Delco dealers yet.
Get better deals.
Not all have websites.
 
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