I did this a short while back....the linkages were rusted beyond help..yup ..best to replace the assembly.....and go ugly early and remove the hood ( bonnet..lol) it's only 4 bolts and you can just slide it forward and way out of the way...which will make removing and refitting the plastic much easier

 

I took the hood off when I did this last year. Seems like a pain in the rear but made life so much easier in the long run.