piston rod shoulder 38 a second piston rod neck 40 and a second piston rod 36 the first and second piston rods 34 and 36 are slideably disposed in and substantially supported in the radial direction by the first and second bores 44 and 46 respectively the actuation piston 32 is slideably disposed in the actuation cylinder 52 the radial clearances between the above sliding surfaces are substantially tight provide substantial fluid seal and yet offer tolerable resistance to relative motions including translation along and if desired rotation around the longitudinal axis 116 between the shaft assembly 31 and the housing 66 the actuation piston 32 includes a first surface 98 and a second surface 100 and longitudinally divides the actuation cylinder 52 into a first fluid space 112 a fluid volume between the actuation cylinder first end 56 and the actuation piston first surface 98 and a second fluid space 114 a fluid volume between the actuation piston second surface 100 and the actuation cylinder second end 54 the fluid actuator 30 further includes a first reed valve 200 and a second reed valve 202 the first reed valve 200 provides substantially one way fluid communication from the first port 61 to the first fluid space 112 which is facilitated by an actuation cylinder first undercut 58 the second reed valve 202 provides substantially one way fluid communication from the second port 62.