How far should the wastegate rod move when i move it by hand, I am trying and it moves about 3/4 inch now that i oiled it up, but when i extend it and let go it wont spring back unless i tap it back. should it not go back by itself?

 

You should have a VERY hard time moving it by hand, I'd unhook the rod from the wastegate arm and check to make sure that the wastegate moves freely, it could be stuck there and not actually an actuator issue.

actuator is spring loaded to keep the gate closed and intake (boost) will move a diaphram and overcome the spring thus opening the gate,