Does anyone have any thoughts on this?  Is it possibly
the hydraulic pump that is not functioning correctly?
If it is the motor mount bending, are there
suggestions on how to fix this problem?

Art,

 

One reason the motor mount may be moving and the actuator force not being in a straight line is because the down stop is not set properly.  All hydraulic actuators should be positively stopped in both directions before undue forces are placed on linkages.  If you place your aircraft on jacks and extend the landing gear (say, by the dump valve) and have the overcenter links locked, disconnect the actuator rod end, position it so further extension will cause no damage, energize the hydraulic "down" system and check that you could reconnect the rod end to the overcenter link snugly (no slop).  If the rod end is so extended that you cannot re-insert the bolt, you need to adjust the rod end and, probably, adjust the up stop too.  This procedure should be used for both the nose and main gear.

 

Failure to have the stops properly adjusted can lead to bent actuator rods, scored cylinders because of cocking, delamination of actuator anchors, damage to linkages, etc.

 

Let us know if this was the problem.