Reinstalling Black tank and gray tank valve

[CntryCoachRV]

A mobile service guy came out to replace my black water tank drain valve and he removed the gray water tank valve too. He had a very difficult time getting the valves reinstalled. The gray water tank valve leaks on the output side since he reinstalled them, he is going to come back and install a new valve, I need to know the techniques used to make this job an easier task for my mobile guy, I suggested he use a small jack to try and move the two connections apart so he could slide the valves into place. Does anyone have photos showing how they made the task go a bit better?

Thanks
Ray
2000 Country Coach Intrigue

[Bob_C]

How bout using a ratchet strap or two?

[dons2346]

I used a small hydraulic jack and a couple pieces of 1x4. The 1x4 goes on the tanks with the jack in between. You can then jack the tanks apart almost 1/2". I used some grease to hold the gaskets in place while aligning all the nuts and bolts. Slowly release pressure on the jack and make sure all the bolts go through the holes. If I remember, I assembled the valves to the down spout and then put that assembly up to the tank fittings.


You can get a small hydraulic jack at Harbor Freight.



Not hard or time consuming at all

[vsheetz]

Have to be careful when applying pressure not to break something else. Mine was very difficult to reinsert the second valve but finally got it.