Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 13, 2025 ...

Ride Height Valve

May 12, 2011, 11:08:07 pm

I have a ride height valve that has been leaking occasionally. I need to replace it and have been doing some research on replacements. I found two online that I think will work. Here they are and a picture of my current type. Any comments from someone that has been there done that would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Miva Merchant: Fatal Error

Ryder

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #1 – May 13, 2011, 06:40:31 am

Mark,

Have you talked to FT parts?  They'll give you the Manufacturer's part number so you can compare prices.

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #2 – May 13, 2011, 02:36:59 pm

Mark, look for a metal tag with numbers on it , or numbers stamped  on it. You can call a truck  parts place with the #s and they can tell u if they have one that will work.

Ben
1999 u320/slide

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #3 – May 13, 2011, 03:16:41 pm

Thanks Brett, I called Foretravel Parts and got the part number. It is a Meritor-Wabco part number 4640024430. I will do some more digging and searching. Still not convinced to go with the metal one. The one on here lasted 12 years. This one looks to be an exact replacement. Believe it or not Fortravel wants $246.69 for it.

Chassis Height Control Valve with Linkage Kit

Regards, Mark

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #4 – May 13, 2011, 10:28:35 pm

When we changed from our original plastic ride-height valve to the metal Meritor valve, we had to make metal mounting plate that was bolted to the motorhome frame and the Meritor was bolted to our home-made frame. Mounting holes on Meritor were lower on the body of the valve and the metal plate positioned the new valve at the same height as the original valve.

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #5 – May 13, 2011, 10:53:41 pm

Thanks for the info Barry. Did your original look like mine in the picture above and does your metal replacement look like this one?

Mark

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #6 – May 14, 2011, 11:11:58 am

Mark, I am pretty sure our original looked like the plastic ride height valve with 4 mounting holes shown in the link above link. And our new valve looks like the one in your posting with 4 mounting holes. We replaced them a long time ago.
When our original front did not work, I removed the adjustment rod and taped the rotation to a closed position and set the ride height with our HWH level system. We drove for a week in this temporary mode until we got to a big British Columbia city where I could find a replacement. Then replaced the other two valves later.
ALL of my metal Meritor valves have had their bottom rubber boot 'cap' disintegrate in a relatively short time. Meritor did not sell replacement, but I did get an engineer to send me some rubber 'hats' from France, but those also fell apart. So we and many others with the same problem made permanent replacements. When the original rubber part falls off, the square white felt filter/muffler falls out. We put a clear vinyl 5" hose over bottom of casting held in place with a hose clamp. Shoving a bit of filter material in bottom of hose to reduce debris entry held in place with a small long bolt.

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #7 – May 14, 2011, 01:46:25 pm

Thanks for the info Barry, I am heading down to watch the shuttle go off this week so when I get back I will call the factory and inquire about the adapter plates for the metal valves. Have a blessed weekend.

Regards, Mark

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #8 – May 14, 2011, 01:58:46 pm

Mark, When our family had a member of a launch/flight, we watched from the family section, that is 3 miles from the launch pad, I thought they should move up closer to get a good look see.  WRONG, 3 miles is WAY too close, I recommend across town would be better. The noise is BIG, scarey BIG   
Enjoy, you will not forget it.

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #9 – May 14, 2011, 07:25:35 pm

We are going to stay at Kars park in Merritt Island. I think it is several miles away on the other side of the river. My 16 year old son is going to remember it the rest of his life. My dad was a engineer that worked on the Apollo ship. He died when I was 12 so maybe this will inspire my son to go into engineering like his grandfather. I just hope it goes off this time. We just spent about twelve days at Patrick AFB and just got back a week ago. That was a bummer.

Regards, Mark

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #10 – May 29, 2011, 07:30:45 am

Got my leaky rear ride height valve replaced. It works fine with no leaks now. I do have a question about the front adjustment though. The left front bag measures at about 9.5" and the right front measures about 8.25". Is there a way to adjust the front bag height left to right with only one valve? Both rears are at 8". Thanks, Mark

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #11 – May 29, 2011, 09:13:29 am

Mark, You will find it most difficult to have an exact measurement unless you are sitting on a perfectly level surface.  Even then it will be hard for an exact reading n both, you start to get into tire pressure, tire diameter and many quirks even the measurement on the rear air bags, but it is a wonder area to play around in.
Take the average on the front bags, adjust to the recommended measurement.

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #12 – May 29, 2011, 09:20:16 am

Thanks Dave, I just wanted to make sure it was not a problem, Have a blessed memorial day. Mark

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #13 – May 29, 2011, 01:45:37 pm

Rear ride height valve is designed to level full motorhome side to side. Front ride height valve levels full motorhome front back.

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Re: Ride Height Valve

Reply #14 – May 29, 2011, 06:50:19 pm

Hey, I just replaced my front leveling valve on my 1990 U300 and I got it at my local truck shop for $120. Blocked up frontend, blew air out of front tanks, took about a half hour to change. Aired up bags, set bag heigth. All Good. Just take your P/N in, they'll cross it for you. Jeff

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