Air Leveling

[Jay Darst]

Scott,

When checking the ride height control valves for function, you will
find that when the valve arm is moved (after disconnecting it from
the axle)that it doesn't respond immediately. It is supposed to do
that. It allows for some movement in the suspension without
releasing or adding air to the bags.

Thought you might assume that since they didn't react right away,
they may be defective, when in fact, they are supposed to be slow to
respond.

I have replaced all of the ride height control valves on my Bird as
they quit working properly. Kinda annoying, so disected one of the
valves and found that there is a silicone like grease that helps
reduce the speed of the actual valve.

Pretty common replacement, many Bird owners carry a spare aboard.
They take the abuse of bumps as they are directly tied to the axle.

Jay Darst
85PT40
Springfield, IL

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, George Lowry
wrote:
>
> Hi Scott,
>
> A more proper term is "height control valves" since they control
the
> height of the body above the axle. Most systems use a three valve
> system; The rear having two valves, one on each side and the front
> having one valve in the center, tied to both sides. As you have
stated,
> the rear valves have lateral or side to side control while the
front
> valve controls both sides, therefore only effecting the front to
rear
> height position.
>
> What I have discovered is that the valve used by Bluebird has a
lot of
> plastic parts which tend to break. I would crawl under and check
the
> valves in the rear for broken parts first. You might disconnect
the arm
> from the valve to the axle and manually move the valve and see
what
> reaction you get. You may find that the valve is defective or
> whatever.....
> Be sure to block the body so that it does not fall on you. You may
have
> to drove the coach up on blocks to get clearance to crawl under.
If you
> personally replaced the other valves, this should be simple for
you.
>
> George Lowry
> '95 WBDA 4203
> Spearfish, SD Currently at the WMHA rally in Indio, CA
Wonderful
> weather and a great crowd gathering. y'all come!!
>
> Scott Forman wrote:
>
> >Hello all,
> >
> >Last year, I had a problem with my coach leaning to the right
(curb)
> >side. After consulting Blue Bird, they suggested I replace the
right-
> >side leveling valve on the rear axle, so I did. The problem
> >persisted, so I also replaced the left side valve. That fixed
it,
> >and the air suspension has worked perfectly ever since.
> >
> >Until today. I took the bus for a drive this afternoon after a
> >couple of months of siting. Now the right side is riding high,
the
> >opposite of the problem I fixed last year. I dumped and re-
filled
> >the air a few times, same problem.
> >
> >Since both valves are less than a year old, anyone have any other
> >suggestions on a cause? The front valve has not been replaced,
but
> >it was explained to me that it controls front-to-back leveling
and
> >should really have no bearing on side-to-side. If this is
incorrect,
> >please let me know.
> >
> >Scott Forman
> >'Tiger Pride'
> >82 FC35RB
> >Memphis
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>