We were on a 2 lane hilly road, no shoulder when I started getting the level system alarm. I saw my travel light was blinking on and off and I felt like I bounced off the front tire a couple times. We almost got on the Natchez Trace by Nashville, TN, but I realized that would be a disaster. I turned around and got back on I40- saw a sign "Specialized Truck repair", got off and went in late Monday afternoon. Determined front ride height valve failing, I could not find a part number so the next morning it was decided to take the old one off and get a replacement. They were very nice- worked me in with all the other truck work they had. New ride height valve installed, fine tuned, test drive- all is well.
This is the first time in 12 years full time and over 100,000 miles on our coach ( since I bought it) that the system failed. I have not noticed any changes with leveling, etc. I change out my air dryer with a factory reman every 3 years, no water or anything showed in tanks or lines. It was a scary time because we could have been stranded in the middle of the Trace or on a hill. I know others have had failures but I am wondering if there is something else to look for or should changing out these leveling valves on a schedule be part of maintenance?
Be safe and cya down the road........................ ^.^d
Hans and Marjet has the same failure this summer in a bad spot outside Pittsburgh. After that experience I added new valves to the parts bin. Glad you got back on the road. Safe travels!
Thanks Jeff- getting these parts was not hard as they are standard truck parts. My question is whether they should be added to a regular schedule of replacement/ maintenance so we don't have a failure on the road. Example- maybe change them every 10 years/ 100,000 miles- assuming that air system maintenance has been done. If the air system has not been maintained then all bets are off.
Cya down the road.................... ^.^d
Ted.....to your question about addition to regular maintenance YES..!!! I have a video of my repair @ an emergency pull-out, police and all assisting, but I can't post it (to large)..fortunately I carried a spare and did the repair myself...
Not fun having a break-down.....
H
Has anyone tried the 59.80 one on Ebay?
I am glad you and Karen are safe. I have three new ones, sooner than later all three will get replaced.
When our front ride height valve failed in Canada, we removed vertical control rod, rotated valve to center off and taped it so it would stay in off position. Then manually raised front with HWH to approximate good driving height position, then drove off. We drove for a week or so with this jury-rig until we could find a replacement valve.
Do Not get towed for this condition as towing can cause more problems.
After the Hans/Pittsburgh event, last week I had all ride height valves replaced as part of my annual PM+. I kept the originals as back up. 89k mi on the coach and I don't want to do what I saw Hans doing in the side of the interstate. Sorry you had the trouble Ted. Glad it worked out. Got mine at Find-It-Parts for about $103 each. They were the Haldex valves.
What about this one?
MPParts | Wabco 464-002-443-0 Leveling Valve | 4640024430 (https://mpparts.com/part/wabco-464-002-443-0-leveling-valve-4640024430)
Chinese knock-off?
Anyone have a P/N for the non Chinese model?
90555105 by HALDEX
90555105 by HALDEX - EGP VALVE 1/4 NPT (https://www.finditparts.com/products/363887/haldex-90555105)
Or a cheaper one ... Haldex style ...
Amazon.com: One Haldex Syle Leveling Valve 90555105 for Trucks Trailers 1/4"... (https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0089E0PJ0/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
The review is irrelevant.
Roger
How hard is it to replace if one weretogo bad while on the road? What tools?
How do you raise the coach while working on it? How do you adjust height?
How many are required?
Going on a long trip to Mexico
Another thing to worry about?
I replaced mine on my 91 a few days ago. I bought this one. I just used the valve out of the kit. Seems to work fine. I have not driven coach yet but it raises up and down.
Height Leveling Control Air Valve Kit For Haldex KN27000 Freightliner... (https://www.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F254337454126)
Glenn, I have not done mine yet, there are three, two in the back and one in the front. The rear ones are pretty easy to get at, just in front of the wheels. The front one is in the middle underneath. You would have to raise the coach and block it for this one and probably the rear pair as well. But they are in my spare parts bin just in case.
The truck repair place got the KN27000 valve as that is what was on the coach- Fleetrite I think. I did not keep the old one since it was bad. I am going to have the other 2 replaced and keep as spares. No guarantees, but the originals held up on our 2001 and I have 167000 miles on our rig now, I guess they held up pretty well.
Hans- yes I read about your on road repair and saw part of the video from your videographer Marjet. Glad you were able to replace it yourself. Watching the tech do the front I realized it was not something I want to try, especially in emergency situation like that. He was a tall skinny guy, got under the coach on his creeper, did work and adjustments without any safety stands. Not me!!
Barry- thanks for the idea about how to jury rig it until getting fixed. You are 100% right about no tow- that is the last thing I want to have done.
Cya down the road...................... ^.^d
There are quite a few different suppliers and prices mentioned here. How do you determine which to use? How do I find the original part number? $27 to $100......big spread. Roger, there were two linkage kits as extra on the site you provided. Which is the one you would need? I want to get these before our trip into Mexico. Thanks
Glenn- that was my issue also, too many different numbers. That is why they took the original off and got the same thing, the Haldex. There are probably some of the others that would work, but I would hate to be out in the boonies and find the part I have doesn't work. Best of luck finding the right ones for your coach.
Hans mentioned before, and I saw when mine were replaced, the Haldex valves have a fitting on the top that allows one to position the 90 degree elbow in the air line to its natural location. I would be looking for that little attribute in my new valve. Maybe it is something that can be transferred?
Roger gave you the part number, go back and read the reply. It is not likely that all 3 would go bad at the same time, so 1 spare should be enough. It is a rather simple remove and replace if you are able to get to the valve. Remove the air lines, unfasten the control rod on the valve and remove, then remove the 2 bolts that hold it in place. From experience it is possible to get the rotating part of the valve 180 degrees from where it should be and the valve does not raise the coach to ride height. Good luck on your trip to Mexico. Edit: It could be 90 degrees on the valve.
Roger.
Thanks for the part #. Just ordered one for a spare and hopefully a 95 U280 uses the same one ?
Doug W has replaced his also,think he used the Haldex,any part numbers Doug,thanks.
This is interesting- I notice some of the parts are plastic and some are metal- the one that came off my coach was metal and that was what they installed. I have no idea what the difference would be other than cost of manufacturing, longevity, etc......
Thoughts about which one is better or if one is better than the other????
This valve worked for my 1992 U280. Ordered by Decarolis Heavy Duty Truck parts: HD90554241. This is probably a Fleet Pride number. Metal and identical to Haldex that was replaced.
jk
Replaced my three valves with a Haldex immediate response from Finditparts.com
3 original ones after 20 plus years failed internally in the same manner.
90555105 by HALDEX - EGP VALVE 1/4 NPT (https://www.finditparts.com/products/363887/haldex-90555105)
That kit looks like it includes the valve and linkage.................good find Stump.
I remember a while back some were concerned about the Contitech air bags having a plastic nest on the bottom vs Firestone with
metal. I have the Contitech and no problems yet with the plastic.
kn27000 valve will work but may not be the same as other others on our coach, best to replace both ride height control valves if not sure on your rear axle. You may be mixing a standard flow with immediate flow valve.
Stump : Since I have a 1990 GV I am following this with great interest. I see now there is standard flow, and also immediate flow. Any idea what we have and will changing the rear valves ( mixing one with the other ) affect handling and ride? Going to get a spare valve after Ted's experience and want to make sure I don't end up changing it on the side of the road only to find out I used the wrong one. :facepalm:
Thanks, Steve
Change all three and enjoy the ride. Changing only one in the rear could cause you to limp.
Well gosh T-Man there only 29 years old! What could go wrong ! In all seriousness that is an outstanding thought. At the ebay prices could do it for less than $150. However if I'm going to do it back to the original question. Normal flow or immediate flow? Anyone out there with experience with both?
Replaced my three valves with a Haldex immediate response from Finditparts.com
3 original ones after 20 plus years failed internally in the same manner.
90555105 by HALDEX - EGP VALVE 1/4 NPT (https://www.finditparts.com/products/363887/haldex-90555105)
[/quote]
Did you also order the kit linkage?
Why didn't you go with the KN27000?
On ebay, the seller says there is a difference between the 27000 kit and the 27000 valve??!!
Totally confused as to the different prices for the same ?? unit
Can someone set me straight?
We were in Nac at Foretravel for the ladies drivers class when mine went out. They replaced it. Should have bought some spares when I got home, its on the list. My thought is, after 20 years, best to replace all 3 and have a spare. They have a lifespan.
I guess we need to contact a good parts man that can steer us to a inexpensive (read China)
duplicate of what we now have using our OEM part numbers. I plan to buy three offshore replacements to carry as spares so I'll get on it in the morning.
Kicking back outside the coach now.
90555105 is a genuine part made by Haldex, price difference. The rest are knock-offs as I see. I carried a KN27000 and kit as a spare and used when needed but changed out because I wasn't satisfied with the operation of it, it's back in the spare parts bin.
Thanks
Once again, do you also order the linkage kit??
Which one of the two shown?
These parts are commonplace on Freightliners
apparently. Although Freightliner ain't Peterbilt........ Freightliner ain't bad, and there are a lot of FL chassis' running the roads that run aftermarket parts that seem to work. No?
DOT airline fittings and not DOT ride height valves..........WTH?
Personally I wouldn't worry about the linkage kit nor have I seen it offered with the genuine part.
Never saw a Freightliner or any other truck or trailer running two ride height valves on one axle, these were designed to be center mounted like our front axles.
So the valves on the rear are different than the front one?
They are the same. I feel they take some excessive abuse being mounted where they are in the rear. The immediate response valve works for me especially mounted in the rear for cornering. Standard flow valve could be 4 seconds or more before it responds.
I'm confused now. I thought that you could replace all three valves with normal or intermediate.
OK, would someone who is in Nacogdoches run this by either James Triana at Foretravel or Aubery Lee at MOT.
The question: please tell us which style ride height valve is best for our coaches and WHY-- immediate/quick response or normal/slow response.
Inquiring minds want to know. Can see advantages/disadvantages to each.
Stump where are you?
Come in Stump over?
My thinking is in the trucking world the standard flow valve would be more appropriate especially on a trailer or I don't see a problem with it on our front axle as much as the rear. I like the immediate response in the rear for sure, reacting immediately to any lean that you may encounter going into a corner. Why would you not want it to react immediately? It may use a little more air over time going down the road but hardly noticeable.
I'm here was delivering a tanker in a Amish Ohio and no service where I was. The valve I bought seems to be the same flow as the original.
If you buy this kit you will not use the linkages they are different for a semi-truck.
I bought it based on cost . Looks to be decent and lets air in and out loke its supposed too.
Reference reply #23.
Tonight use code Treat15. At find it parts for 15% off order. Do not know how long its valid.
Just used that code. Don't know how you found it,,,,but... THANKS !!! It worked just fine
I too bought the Haldex from find it parts last night at $99.
Will keep it as a spare.
JohnH
Brett- this may not be the full answer to your question but I called and talked with Aubry Lee to try and get a part number. I was told that they used different valves at different times, so the best thing to do is take off the one that is on the coach and match it. He said if he gave me a part number over the phone there was a chance it might not work.
Maybe someone else can find out more information, but that is what I was told. ;)
Would still love to hear the rational for the choice.
And, am surprised that it would depend on model/model year (if we are talking about a U280, U300, U270, U295 or U320) since, with the exception of the very few with IFS suspensions all are virtually the same. Two ride height valves on rear axle, one in front.
After reading this thread I just checked my passenger side rear ride height valve and it is not looking to good. I guess I need to add this to my list of repairs.
Oscar, that bottom rubber piece is just a exhaust cover that you can replace. Think NAPA carries them.
Richard - Thanks! I will have to go get a few of them for I am sure the rest of them probably look the same.
Oscar
RN10JE by HALDEX - KIT-REPAIR (https://www.finditparts.com/products/370160/haldex-rn10je?srcid=CHL01SCL010-Npla-Dmdt-Gusa-Svbr-Mmuu-K370160-L134&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr5uk1dbM5QIVjh6tBh25dQIwEAUYASABEgKDa_D_BwE)
That is just a boot that goes over the exhause opening. It is not a rebuild kit
I'm convinced that little filter and cover are the keys to valve service life. If they are allowed to deteriorate, road dust is getting direct access to the valve. It's very cheap insurance to keep them healthy.
Brett, you are spot on with that comment. I added a short rubber tube extension to all air valves to further keep crap out.
JohnH
Karcy 10pcs BSL-02 Brass 1/4" PT Thread Valve Pneumatic Muffler Filter... (https://www.amazon.com/Karcy-BSL-02-Pneumatic-Muffler-Silencer/dp/B07H5FDTRX/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Brass+air+exhaust&qid=1572810369&sr=8-3)
What about using the brass muffler on the exhaust port to keep dirt from getting in. Has anyone tried these?
Chris
Chris,
No idea if those would pass sufficient CFM's or cause a restriction in valve operation.
The filter/boots do a fine job of keeping dirt and mud dobbers out of the valve. And, we know they work fine as that is the OE design.
Brett, where do you get them at?
Chris
Chris,
Any parts house that caters to OTR trucks should either have them or can easily get them.
My ride height valve is a Wabco 4640024430 and I cannot find a exhaust kit for it on line.
Worse case, cut a section from a bicycle tire.
Don't bother with exhaust kit....Replace the entire valve..!!
Is this it.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MBIRN10JE?keywordInput=rn10je
Mark
I thought I had ordered it ship to store, but found out you have to go to the store and special order it there. Can't remember how much the special order was but it was near buying it online with shipping.
Nope, that has four holes along the rim and is for a Haldex and mine has six and is a Wabco. I may take Hans advice and just replace the whole unit but the Wabco units are a bit pricey. Cheaper than a mobile repair person though.
Thank you for checking,
Oscar
Oscar,
If you are handy just run by the home improvement store (the store color of your choice) and buy some 1" rubber chair leg tips. They come 4 to the pack in either brown or white. Take and drill as many 3/16" holes in the end as you like then take a couple of cotton balls and stuff them down inside the cup. Now tear off the old rubber muffler piece from the valve exhaust port and just stick your newly made muffler over the exhaust port. Works fine should last lots longer than the one you will get on the new valve.
Mike
Ride Height Valve Cover Replacement (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/ride_height_valve_cover_replacement.html)
Just a note. Those covers seem like they don't fit out of the package. The trick is to turn them inside out, then roll them on over the valve.
How true.
This might be a stupid question/questions but what exactly do the ride height control valves do? Do they work in conjunction with the HWH system by letting it know what height the coach is via the linkage and then causing the HWH to make adjustments from the appropriate solenoid in the front or rear six pack? Or do the ride height valves make adjustments independent of the HWH system.
They do the conjunction explanation.
Amazon.com: labwork Air Height Leveling Valve Control kit for Haldex... (https://www.amazon.com/labwork-Height-Leveling-Control-90054007/dp/B07WC7TNQ4/ref=pd_day0_hl_263_1/143-4372254-6274250?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07WC7TNQ4&pd_rd_r=d2543b4e-6bdd-4e59-aafe-c2ba1da440d7&pd_rd_w=6BC9P&pd_rd_wg=5vZVn&pf_rd_p=0501877d-5f8c-4ec8-9861-e0476eecc53e&pf_rd_r=GG0D3CDZJ5RP4N9Q8NNJ&psc=1&refRID=GG0D3CDZJ5RP4N9Q8NNJ)
My Oshkosh appears to have this one .
For those of you who want to replace with OEM this is about the only place that has them for some reason;
RN10JE by HALDEX - KIT-REPAIR (https://www.finditparts.com/products/370160/haldex-rn10je)
I received my order of the above and 3 of the actual ride height valve assemblies. Above is just what you see. The black rubber cover is also on the new valve 90555105 by HALDEX.
Finditparts has discounts on a regular cycle. Hold off for the black friday discount. It's not listed yet. I used the Halloween discount of 15%. To make my purchases. Also a great place to get a D2 RKN18534 spare. Prices run from $14.00 up. They sell just about anything. Mark
We had a failure on the left rear wheel and we only noticed it while Kristi was following me to check for coolant leaks (another issue). The top of the wheel well was riding on the tire. We were glad this happened close to home. I recommend carrying a spare in case you have an issue on the road - even with tow insurance, no one likes to be stuck in a shop waiting for a part to arrive at a premium price. It would be interesting to know what percentage of 20 year old coaches have had to do a replacement - is it inevitable?
No reason this should be a show stopper for long or a reason for a tow or an expensive road call even without a spare. Everyone should know the workaround on there rig to get back into travel ride height without a functioning valve within minutes. For my coach and most others here it involves just manually raising coach to proper ride height and pulling the 7 amp travel mode fuse in the HWH control box. Good to go for unlimited amount of time and miles, checking once in awhile for proper ride height.
All three of my OEM valves have failed internally in the same manner in the last few years. Yes, possibly age-related, I don't think my driving habits are any different than others or the roads traveled.
Good info. Where is the HWH control box?
"Good info. Where is the HWH control box?"
Mounted in one of the compartments underneath most likely on the driver side.
DayDreamer,
Yours could be mounted on the ceiling of the basement behind (that is to the center of the coach) the inverter/converter.
Mike
If it's mechanical it will fail sooner or later, that' s guaranteed. Think about how many times it has had to make adjustments in 20 years. Hundreds of thousands ? Maybe a million. I carry a spare and actually have plans to replace all three proactively. in the meantime I have 3 levers on the floor next to the driver seat hooked to real honest to god cables to adjust ( level ) height when parked. Not as whiz bang as the one button push method but it works and if I have to I can adjust height with vise grips. Something to be said for simplicity. The coach is old school, but then again, so am I.
I have a 2003 u320 and my new ride height valve isn't raising after install. We replace both sides however the drivers side is not cooperating. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you!
You know the round part on the valve that has 4 holes, where you slide the linkage into? One of those holes has a plastic triangle marker near it. Make sure your linkage is going into the hole with the triangle.
One other thought is make sure that you didn't install the linkage upside down or said another way 180* out. This has happened to someone real close to me that wasn't paying attention. For sure refer to what Elliott posted.
Mike
I ordered Haldex #90555105. It says without dump valve. Is that correct part?