ride height control valve

[d osburn]

I have a broken ( badly leaking) ride height valve on the left front and am broken down till I get it fixed. the old valve is a ridewell #7423. I ordered a new one from the factory which I understand is directly replaceable except that it mounts horizontally in stead of vertically and there for must be re indexed to work properly. Has any one had experience with this matter? I am comfortable doing the change but would like a test procedure that would point out a mistake before I do any damage.

thanks for any help.
d osburn

[d osburn]

I have a broken ( badly leaking) ride height valve on the left front and am broken down till I get it fixed. the old valve is a ridewell #7423. I ordered a new one from the factory which I understand is directly replaceable except that it mounts horizontally in stead of vertically and there for must be re indexed to work properly. Has any one had experience with this matter? I am comfortable doing the change but would like a test procedure that would point out a mistake before I do any damage.

thanks for any help.
d osburn

[Moder2]

d osburn,

a bit more info would help... Kind of coach/chassis?

I have run into this on other heavy vehicles, basically, we just had to fab a bracket, or re-drill the existing bracket to mount the new valve. You will just need your ride height spec to set up the new one once you have it installed.

I have also 'Rigged' a corner bag by removing the line from the valve, fitting a quick-connect fitting on the hose, filling the bag to a reasonable height, and pinching the line off with a pair of visegrips.

Take it easy driving, as your suspension on the bag is now non adjustable.

It's not a fix, but it will get you off the side of the road if that is where you are...

John

[d osburn]

the coach is an american dream 1997 on a spartan chassis. it has been trouble free so far till the ride height valve failed. I am off the road in a park waiting for parts. Just looking for help on reindexing the new valve to fir vertical vs horizontal mounting.

thanks
d osburn

[moisheh]

First of all you will have to be under the unit to adjust the valve. THIS IS DANGEROUS !! Normally this is done in a pit. You may have to buy an extra long rod for your valve or fab something. But the job is simple. Your valve has a rod that is adjustable. Raising the lever on the valve raises the coach. Lowering it does the opposite. The proper way to adjust the valve is first to make sure the valve is indexed to "neutral" Most have a pin, sometime it is wooden, that holds the valve lever in the middle ( neutral). With the coach at proper ride height and not on any jacks this should be the correct position. If not a minor adjustment is required. You should drive it around the block after any adjustment and recheck the ride height. Do you have the proper measurement for your coach? Good luck and be careful. People have died under air ride vehicles!!!!! Most valves come with good instructions.


Moisheh