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STEERING SYSTEM |
There are many more differences in the Flaming River Control Valve compared to the
original Bendix valve, but they are not as critical or obvious. |
FLAMING RIVER CONTROL VALVE & BALL STUD ASEMBLY |
The Seats the Ball Stud sits and pivots in are a much rougher machining than the
original Bendix parts. |
The bolts holding the Valve Housing to the Ball Stud Sleeve are standard hardware-store
bolts and washers on the FR valve. The washers seem to be very soft as they
were deformed after removal and were not reuseable. |
The Hose Tube Seats are made of brass on the Flaming River valve, compared to the
originals which were made of aluminum |
The End Cap is a pot-metal casting, and much heavier than the original aluminum Bendix
part. It also appears to have been either turned on a lathe, or cast from
a mold that was turned down. The screws are a rounded-head slotted screw as compared
to the originals which were Filister-head. |
The inside of the Ball Stud Sleeve (where the Ball Stud Bushing slides back and forth)
is very roughly machined on the Flaming River valve. |
The early Bendix housings had BENDIX cast into the side. The Flaming River valves
have DAHER BOGE cast in them. The steel balls driven into the side of the valve housing (to plug the machine holes for the inside) are barely driven into place on the FR valve. On the original Bendix valve, they are driven in and recessed. |
There are also many smaller differences that cannot easily be seen from a picture.
The Travel Stop and Centering Spring Washers are scored and galled, even though
the examined valves only have a few hundred miles on them. They do not appear
to be hardened material like the originals. |
Compared to the original Bednix Control Valve, the Flaming River Valve doesn't appear to be as well designed, machined, constructed or finished. Many of
the individual parts used in the FR valve seem to be of an inferior design and
material than the originals, even though many of the original style parts are
still available. Judging from the overall design, and based on several pieces in particular, it appears that the Flaming River Valve is not meant to operate as long as the original units did. Furthermore, it appears that the FR valve was not intended to ever be rebuilt. Even though many original style parts are available, and all of the other parts could have been accurately reproduced, the manufacturers decided to make a valve composed of unique components and design. |