How to remove cover of old Autohelm 5000 linear drive

[SVRO]

I have an old Combi Autohelm 5000 linear drive. It has served our boat well for many years but just lately has gotten very tight and noisy. First things first...get inside and inspect it. I am trying to get the cover off the piston side on the unit. Unlike the newer type 2 units, there are no "dust cover retaining bolts". Is there any trick to getting this cover off? I am working some PB blaster in to the joint but I don't want to pry and break something. The only thing possibly holding it together that I can see is the nut on the circular multi-pin connector, which I have removed, and perhaps some aluminum to aluminum electrolysis. Any firsthand experience Is greatly appreciated.

[SVRO]

Well color me embarrassed. What I thought was a two-pin female connector is actually a nut which retains the cover. Got that out with the pins of a circlip pliers held straight with a crescent wrench. Problem solved.

[JPA Cate]

So far, so good, anyhow. Good luck with it, SVRO.

Ann

[SVRO]

This unit is actually simpler that the newer ones. Looks like I just need to clean and relube the ball screw. Not bad for thirty-plus years of service.