Pulling Iris

[Bratman2]

Have searched and read all the posts about fixing/servicing the iris valve. Have a multitude of hoses and stuff coming. Have checked mine with mirror and it does not work. Tried new check valve and replacing the hoses at the check valve/vacuum box. No dice, pulled the little wired solenoid on the driver's side of the manifold and jumped it out with 12v, it works. Tried a jumper vacuum hose direct to the iris and it didn't budge. I can us long curved pliers to push the valve open by hand. I am thinking maybe build up or gunk internally could be the problem?? My question is when pulling the iris is there anything I need to be concerned about, springs falling out, what kind of gasket does it use to go back?? My plan as of now is pull the manifold next week, clean it internally best i can. I have a small supple of degreaser on the ready, lol. Replace every hose on it, knock sensors, pcv valve and new gaskets. Any advice from the people that have been there done that?