[kaptain]

While my 701 has been towed back to the repair shop last week, I'd like to seek some input on some questions 1-7 below,

Background:  the saga was posted here http://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=6843, before that, the coach had just done the 1st repair (since I owned it) by the shop, that repair included replacing 2x airbags on drive axles, 1x VALID control panel, and 1x VALID leveling sensor.

   

   

   

   


Now the coach has been towed back to the shop several days ago for further check and they came back with findings and suggestions, the email from the shop says

(a) "...it seems like the rubber grommet for the passenger side rear leveling valve came apart. This caused the rear side to fall".*
(b) "...replace all remaining airbags" (2 airbags already replaced during the initial repair).
© "...replace all 3 leveling valves". 
.

I'd like to see if someone could help me to understand a few things.

(1)  the "leveling valves" the shop was referring to, is that the same thing as "ride height valves"? 
(2)  how many in total such "leveling valves" are there on a coach with ZF suspension/steerable tag? My coach is 2004-701
(3)  how many "ride height control rods" exist on a coach with a ZF suspension & steerable tag?
(4)  I read some thread mentioning "travel solenoid", is this the same as the "6-pack valve"? How many "travel solenoid" or 6-packs in total in a coach?
(5)   If you have pictures of the above, and part numbers (with ZF suspension & steerable tag) would you please post them. 

* earlier, while tow drivers were working hooking up the coach and his semi, the tow driver told me (also he told the tech at the shop upon arrival): "Found the problem was the riding height rod was not fixed or loose...". so they fixed that problem on the spot. Since they couldn't restart the engine (dead batteries) they had to tow it.



     

But the repair shop manager rejected what the tow drivers were saying, he says instead: it's unlikely a loose leveling rod would cause the problem I was having - coach height drop. It's most likely something else has failed, which they came back with the above comments (a), (b), and ©

Now, here are my additional questions:

(6)   a loose or unsecured rod as shown in the photo, will it cause the coach to height drop in normal driving mode? 

(7)   how many the total number of such height control rods on 2004 or later models with ZF suspension w/steerable tag? 

(8)  those height control rods, function only in riding or travel mode,  and do not play any role when the coach is in park/stationary level mode, is this correct?

[encantotom]

i will take a stab at a few of these.....

1) the "leveling valves" the shop was referring to, is that the same thing as "ride height valves"?

in the way they are referring to leveling valves (saying there are 3 of them), means they are talking about the ride height valves. on yours, there are 2 in the back and 1 in the front. the back ones are easy access. they are right at the outside of the rear wheel well towards the front of the coach. you can reach them easily. yes they do leak, but not real often.

(2) how many in total such "leveling valves" are there on a coach with ZF suspension/steerable tag? My coach is 2004-701

as above, there are 3.

(3) how many "ride height control rods" exist on a coach with a ZF suspension & steerable tag?

each ride height valve is attached to a single rod. like i said above, they are easy to see and reach. they just pop on and off on the bottom to a pin. yes, they can slip at the top and it is possible the rubber grommet like thing could be rotten, but i have not seen that. but they can slip and just need to be tightened once adjusted correctly.


(4) I read some thread mentioning "travel solenoid", is this the same as the "6-pack valve"? How many "travel solenoid" or 6-packs in total in a coach?

in a valid system you have 2 six packs. one in the front and one in the rear. they are mounted in the rear engine bay passenger side on the firewall. each six pack has 6 solenoids. 2 travel, 2 raise and 2 lower. front travels are tied together since there is a single ride height valve in the front middle of coach.

(5) If you have pictures of the above, and part numbers (with ZF suspension & steerable tag) would you please post them.

valid is very good with technical support. i have talked to them a number of times and they are great.

(6) a loose or unsecured rod as shown in the photo, will it cause the coach to height drop in normal driving mode?

a loose or unsecured rod will cause problems depending on where the ride height level arm is at. could drop it or raise it. and that would only be when you are in travel mode.

(7) how many the total number of such height control rods on 2004 or later models with ZF suspension w/steerable tag?

same answer as previous. one for each ride height valve. a total of 3

(8) those height control rods, function only in riding or travel mode, and do not play any role when the coach is in park/stationary level mode, is this correct?

that is correct. the travel solenoids isolate and take the ride height valves out of the system when you are not in travel mode.



i do not have a valid system in mine but i have helped 3 different folks with them and have changed ride height valves and played with the valid solenoids. so i have at least a tiny bit of experience.

i am sure there are gurus on here with more experience with them than me but i thought i would share what i thought. anyone feel free to correct anything i have said.

tom

[kaptain]

Tom, thank you so much for taking the time and responded to each of my questions.
Now I have a much better understanding of how the VALID leveling system works.

I had the manual, TruleLine Leveling System Installation & Operation Guide 2005.pdf for my 2004-701. it was posted in the documentation section at the link below, it seems to be a good manual but it's kind of brief. For example, it doesn't say how many total leveling rods are on a coach, and how they are connected or linked to valves, etc

http://newellgurus.com/showthread.php?tid=6670

[kaptain]

I just read this thread https://www.luxurycoachlifestyle.com/for...php?t=2013
It's good to know these height control valves are recommended to be replaced every 2 years!

And the part numbers (52321-Q135, and 52321-Q136) were once sold for $30.00/each, now $85 on Bertrem.com, due to inflation?

(Newell Part# NC 23728 $129.99, due to cost mark up?) 


https://bertrem.com/product/air-suspensi...ies-52321/

   

[MrE]

A quick Internet search located this on Amazon for $66. https://www.amazon.com/16-14318-000-5234...B0834H4F2T

[encantotom]

I do not believe they should be replaced that often. Then can last many times that long

My two cents worth. I have never replaced one unless it was bad

Tom

[kaptain]

A quick Internet search located this on Amazon for $66. https://www.amazon.com/16-14318-000-52341-Q135-Leveling-Freightliner-Interchange/dp/B0834H4F2T

The above link from Amazon shows a different product.


part sold on Amazon:    52341-Q135
what is on my coach:    52321-Q136   1110 (this is in the rear)
and in the front coach:  52321-Q136  0815

The last 4 digits 1110 and 0815, are date codes, serial numbers, or something else?




   

[Richard]

Joe,

Call these folks and talk to Rob, if he is still there. https://daytonairsuspension.com/pages/technical

[kaptain]

However, searching on Amazon further I do find one which might work, 52321-Q195
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078G35XX5/

I guess the Q numbers, Q135, Q136, and Q195, designate only the arm length?

   

---

Joe,

Call these folks and talk to Rob, if he is still there. https://daytonairsuspension.com/pages/technical

Lots of information here, great! Thanks for sharing that, Richard.

[Richard]

And while you are self educating………this handbook will show you how the air bags, height control valves, and six pack of solenoids work together. It is from a different manufacturer than Valid, BUT the principles are exactly the same.

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml20635.pdf