Called local JD dealer to inquire about rebuilding this valve. We poked around until he found the 5 port model. He said it was from a 332 and internal parts are no longer available for that valve, but seal kits are. There are 5 seal kits @ $50 each for a total of $250 just for seals, plus labor. It would be better to buy the whole valve new, which is still available.
Then he said "HOLY $^&*#!!!"
I said, "You just looked at the price of the valve new, didn't you?"
He said "Yeah. $980."
OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!
I thanked him and told him I will probably look for used parts. He agreed.
I decided to call Power Trac just to see how much the valve would be. As usual, I was immediately directed to Terry. :laughing:
I told Terry the issues. He said he is 99.9% certain the valve is not bad and that the problem is my ball ends on the steering rams are probably not lubed enough. I found that hard to believe, but he is pretty adamant that is the problem. He told me to soak the ball ends in super lube heavily for a day or so and give it a try. If that did not resolve it, he told me to call him back and hold the phone next to the tractor so he could hear the noise. I said O.K., but wanted the price of a new valve just in case. He said he was not going to give me the price of a new vavle because he is certain the problem is not in the valve.....
Well, I am very happy that he is trying his best to help me out and not cost me a bgd chunk of money. :thumbsup: So, I'll give it a try as soon as I get time (had to go trick-or-treating last night). Now I have to locate some super lube. I have been using white lithium grease all these years.
Anyone got a lead on super lube?
