Hi fellas,

My vacuum actuator on my front axle disconnect is frozen. I have 15" hg to the inboard hose but she doesn't move. Removed it and tried freeing it up with my hand held pump...no dice. Got lots of crud out of it and am currently soaking it in PB blaster but I'm not holding much hope of it freeing up. Looking around I see ZERO available actuators listed for a 1990 Dakota. I have found listings for the w150/250 with the Dana 44/60 and they look the same but without dimensions I don't know. Does anyone have any ideas on where I can find one? Surely the aftermarket has to have something....

Thanks all.

 

Compare part numbers between the Ram unit, and the Dakota unit.... Though, did the rams even USE a CAD on the 1st gen trucks???

 

I can't even find a part number. Looking on Mopar sites isn't helping. You would think I'm trying to find unobtanium. I never dreamed finding parts for these trucks could be so difficult!

 

Did you check the parts list from the link in the FAQ message here?

RwP

 

Part number is 4338578. Fits 87-93? I think. I can't find one anywhere..... Ebay *might* have it, but, the listing doesn't say what the actual part number is, nor what it fits. Full size trucks use a different one apparently. Part number is not the same.

 

Here's a pretty involved thread on it over in a 4WD forum ... Dodge Dakota 4x4 With Frozen Front Axle Disconnect Actuator Motor - Dodge 4x4 and Ram 4WD Trucks - 4WD Mechanix Magazine 'Tech and Travel' Forums

Here's a rebuild thread I also found on our forum. 1989 dakota frnt axle actuator - DodgeForum.com

RwP

 

Well I got the old unit freed up. Filled both ports with PB blaster and let soak several hours. Some gentle prodding got it broke loose. Knocked a bunch of crud out by flooding it, draining and tapping on the housing with the ports facing down. It now moves freely but I'm thinking the diaphram may be a bit compromised, it is reluctant to move either way under vacuum and that is just with it setting on the bench.
i also figured out through this that my t case switch is bad. It is not changing the vacuum flow when switching from 2 to 4 and vice versa. At least those are available, I should have one by tomorrow afternoon. We'll go from there.

Thank you for the suggestions fellas.

 

You could just lock the cad, and call it a day. You might lose 1 mpg or so, but, that's it.

 

LOL! You aren't wrong. I just have a real weakness for stuff being "right" even when it isn't really important. When I put the shift fork back together earlier I went against better judgment and slid the collar all the way to the right so I didn't have to look at the 4 wheel drive light....even tho as you already alluded to it does no harm.

 

you might be able to put a block off plate on the axle hole and get a passenger side one piece axle shaft from something like '96 that didnt have cad. my 96 didnt have cad . some had it and some didnt i guess