Control valve: Rebuild or buy new?

My control valve has developed some leaks, mainly around the boot seal. I was wondering if I should buy the rebuild kit for $25 and rebuild it myself, or buy a totally remanufactured valve for about $100.

If the rebuild kit has worked well for others, I'll go with that. I just wanted to get the wise opinions of the C3VR Forum.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Dave

I bought a rebuilt one. I do most of my own work, but thought I'd let someone with experience do this task. If you do it yourself, make sure it is surgically clean.

Some are not rebuildable. You don't know until you get inside and look at the condition of the bores and internal parts. Minor damage can be polished out. If the parts move freely, and there is smooth surfaces it is rebuildable. Not really too hard to do. Have some very fine wet sand paper, 1200 or better, to polish surfaces. Use the p/s fluid as a lube to do the polishing with.

The surfaces need to be almost perfect. No scratches, pits, gouges, etc. Everything has to be throughly cleaned and lubed before assembly. (think surgery). Be very picky and fussy, and it's not a bad job. If there is any doubt, put the rebuilt one in.

Ken Styer

I bought the units already rebiult from ZIP (4 hoses, ram, & valve). No leaks so far...

I bought the kit and rebuilt the one on my 72. It was a simple operation, and with 9000 miles since then, it hasn't leaked a drop and works fine.

I rebuilt mine with no problems. Be sure to leave the cylinder disconnected until you adjust the centering valve when you go for installation, and stay out of harm's way. The cylinder will rapidly drive in one direction or the other before it is adjusted. You will probably need to adjust any of the rebuilts as well. If the ball and socket part of the valve is sloppy it's reject and can not be rebuilt.

Thanks everyone. I finally got the valve off the other night and it does appear that the ball and socket is sloppy. I'm going to get a "new" (rebuilt) one after I finish rebuilding and converting my brakes to O-ring pistons.


Dave K