Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: How to remove Valterra extension handle? (Read 1112 times) previous topic - next topic

How to remove Valterra extension handle?

1998 U-320.

I'm replacing the black and grey waste gate valves.  I'm having a difficult time removing the extension rods from the end of the rod on the original waste gate.

Is there any trick to removing the extension handles?

The only solution I can come up with is a pair of vice grips, and turn really hard.

Thanks,
Chris

Re: How to remove Valterra extension handle?

Reply #1 –
Replace the whole assembly, not worth the time. Two people are of help to hold the ends open to insert the fresh one. By the way, they are junk, I've lost track of how many I've replaced. Spraying the handle does no good.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: How to remove Valterra extension handle?

Reply #2 –
Mike,

Thank you.  I am replacing all the valve bodies with entirely new assemblies.  I was hoping to unscrew the extension rods that pass through the lower wall to help make it easier to get things out.

Chris

Re: How to remove Valterra extension handle?

Reply #3 –
Chris, I replaced mine easily a short time ago.
Yours may be different though, can you put up a picture or two?

Re: How to remove Valterra extension handle?

Reply #4 –
T-Man,

Thank you for your reply.  Below is a photo of our grey tank valve with the stuck/fused middle extension screwed onto the end of the rod on the valve.  It's a better use of time, etc. to make a new one rather than wrestle with this.  I was able to disconnect the longer extension that screws onto the end of this short extension.  Removing the longer extension allowed me to remove the gate valve from the bay.

To make a new one I picked up some 1/4" 20 threaded rod, and a number of 1/4" 20 thread stand-offs, and I'll cut the threaded rod to the right length.

The previous installer didn't bolt these gate valves to the flanges glued into the 3" pipe very tight.  The nuts used were not serrated, nor did the installer use locking washers, blue thread lock, etc.  A 1/8-1/4 turn with a small socket, with a box wrench on the other side, and I could remove all the nuts by hand.  We had no leaks in the bay.

Since I am doing both the black and the grey I was able to completely disconnect the exit side flanges on both tanks and physically move the exit side pipe off the gate valves.  This provides clear access to putting on the new seals (with 100% silicone plumbers/faucet grease), and there is no trying to pry stuff apart to put in new seals and gate valves in place.

Chris

Re: How to remove Valterra extension handle?

Reply #5 –
I would put vise grips on the short piece coming out of the valve, or destroy the plastic assembly and put it in a bench vise and use a wrench on the hex nut to separate the two, but it sounds like you have an alternative plan.  Stainless 1/4"-20 with anti-seize?

Mine is different using shrouded wire.

Re: How to remove Valterra extension handle?

Reply #6 –
I used vice grips and pliers.  I did not care about screwing up old valve since I replaced complete valve also.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago
 

Re: How to remove Valterra extension handle?

Reply #7 –
We reuse extensions.  Removed with vise grip on old valve shaft and wrench on joining nut.