Hi Alan. I found a site with hundreds of different rubber bellows that
are available for use as covers for automotive power steering units and CV
joints. They have pictures with dimensions for each model.
I simply picked one that fit the actuator body and rod, looked up what
car it fit, and went down to the auto parts store and picked them up. I think
the were about $14 each.
My files are still packed away as I have a huge pile of unpacked boxes
from the move to Florida but sooner or later I'll get to that box and be able
to post the link to the bellows site.
As for the link on the shaft, the stainless 1/2 inch rods I fabricated
just slide through the end of the bellows, then attach the actuator, slip the
bellows over the actuator body, and clamp and seal both ends of the bellows.
If it works as designed, I should be able to switch out an actuator in about
15 minutes.
Keeping a full dive plane/motor/actuator assembly nearby as a spare will
mean little down time should I crash into something and smash it all to
hell.
Frank D.