Blend Door Actuator
 

Hi, my wife drives a 2002 Altima 2.5 and has been told that we need to replace the blend door actuator as the gear on it is worn and therefore will not move to allow any heat through the vents.

So, I have a few questions:
1. Do we have to replace the entire box or can we fix the gear itself? Where can I buy just the replacement part?
2. Can the fix be done without taking the entire dashboard out?

Any suggestions would be a huge help!!

Thanks.