Member Since: 31 Aug 2014
Location: corona , CA
Posts: 25
suspension valve block rebuild
has anyone succeeded in rebuilding a suspension valve block?
the center valve block which is located near the air compressor on my 2006 discovery 3 is slowly leaking air back into the gallery, I took it apart and after opening it up the only parts that may have malfunctioned and might need replacing is the solenoid spring and a seal that is part of the solenoid pin. if I can get my hands on these parts im sure I wont need to replace the whole valve block.
24th Jan 2015 4:03 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
It's been done a few times, usually with good results. Once free of bits of desiccant and with new or freshly lubed seals they do recover. There is a video somewhere of this being done.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
I did some searching and found threads re guys totally replacing the front and rear block valves with new units but very little on the middle one, new valves or otherwise.
As to finding rubber seals or parts, that I can find no mention of that even on the AULRO site - I must be blind as there must be something about O rings or the like - in fact I seem to recall something about O rings but cannot find it now. It seems to me the threads were about taking the valves apart, cleaning them up and reinstalling, but nothing about new seals.2005 LR3 HSE 4.4L AJ-V8 petrol; Traxide Dual Battery; PIAA 2500K Yellow Ion H11 Fog Light bulbs; CounterAct LT-2 Capacitive Corrosion control; LLumar AIR80 Blue clear Infra Red blocking side window film; Liftgate manual release; Schrader Valve "air in" mod to OEM air suspension reservoir tank; Akebono ceramic pads; OEM solid vented discs; LR4 design hitch receiver; Wiggs D4 MOST bluetooth module; Clock on the Dash; 3 Flash signal light mod; Backup Camera; 2015/16 Nav Data update.
24th Jan 2015 5:22 pm
tareqyounis
Member Since: 31 Aug 2014
Location: corona , CA
Posts: 25
the o-rings shouldn't be an issue, I have a set of new o-rings and was able to match the old ones, the issue is with the seal that's on the top of the pin/shaft of the solenoid, this seal is the one that actually shuts the valve, I have attached a picture showing the seal im talking about.
Click image to enlarge
another thing that might be causing the leak is that the spring has become weak and not pushing enough to completely seal the air from coming out, I guess finding the right spring would also be a hassle.
you guys are probably thinking why not just replace the whole valve block, its not that expensive!!!
well, its more of a matter of principal, why replace something that is in such good shape? after gutting it out you will realize that the valve blocks are pretty basic in design and not much can go wrong with it, so if im able to get my hands on these 2 tiny parts im almost positive that I will have a fully working valve block. im going to try and see if I can come up with something that can replace that small seal, maybe cut a piece of rubber like from a bicycle tube and glue it on.
I would try plumbing parts - water tap washers, that sort of thing. And yes, repair makes more sense than
replacement. Hobby shops also have rubber sheet stuff and small springs. Maybe you can find enough to make up a kit.
At least the parts would fit in an envelope so shipping would not be much of a cost.2005 LR3 HSE 4.4L AJ-V8 petrol; Traxide Dual Battery; PIAA 2500K Yellow Ion H11 Fog Light bulbs; CounterAct LT-2 Capacitive Corrosion control; LLumar AIR80 Blue clear Infra Red blocking side window film; Liftgate manual release; Schrader Valve "air in" mod to OEM air suspension reservoir tank; Akebono ceramic pads; OEM solid vented discs; LR4 design hitch receiver; Wiggs D4 MOST bluetooth module; Clock on the Dash; 3 Flash signal light mod; Backup Camera; 2015/16 Nav Data update.
24th Jan 2015 9:23 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Robbie wrote:
It's been done a few times, usually with good results. Once free of bits of desiccant and with new or freshly lubed seals they do recover. There is a video somewhere of this being done.
Member Since: 14 Dec 2014
Location: Chinnor
Posts: 521
for what its worth, I recently stripped and rebuilt my front valve block, and despite it seeming to be all OK as I put it back together, lubricated with silicon spray, and all the springy valvy things moving freely - when I tested it it was even worse than before, gave me multiple suspension faults, and I quickly decided to get a new one.
I paid just over £100 from a stealer as I was stuck, but if you buy in advance from a sponsor or online you can get for about £60 I think.
IMHO its not worth around trying to fix it as you may end up doing the job twice.2014 D4 HSE Facelift Corris Grey
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I tend to put that sort of thing down to the high cost of education.
Buying a Land Rover is first step is a huge ongoing learning process. You will be a better driver for it, I am certain.
Land Rover, making mechanics out of drivers since 1948. 2005 LR3 HSE 4.4L AJ-V8 petrol; Traxide Dual Battery; PIAA 2500K Yellow Ion H11 Fog Light bulbs; CounterAct LT-2 Capacitive Corrosion control; LLumar AIR80 Blue clear Infra Red blocking side window film; Liftgate manual release; Schrader Valve "air in" mod to OEM air suspension reservoir tank; Akebono ceramic pads; OEM solid vented discs; LR4 design hitch receiver; Wiggs D4 MOST bluetooth module; Clock on the Dash; 3 Flash signal light mod; Backup Camera; 2015/16 Nav Data update.
15th Feb 2015 2:20 am
robbo770
Member Since: 29 Jan 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 2294
Guys there is a group but for new blocks at less than £100 on the forum currently FFRR SC 4.2
Member Since: 31 Aug 2014
Location: corona , CA
Posts: 25
succesful rebuild
after a lot of hard work and research I was finally able to rebuild all 3 of my discovery 3 valve blocks, I was challenging myself and was determined that it could be done, I could not find any information online or any of the land rover forums with somebody successfully rebuilding a valve block, its been about a moth now since I have completed the rebuild and they have been working well till now.
I will be preparing a do it your self write-up with pictures, meanwhile I will be more than glad to help anyone who plans on doing the job.
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around trying to fix it as you may end up doing the job twice.
