98 Spx rave rebuilt and still leaking

[DaddyLoafin]

I rebuilt the rave valves before the season and one is still leaking. Does this mean I need a new housing?

 

[Spider4real]

Looks like the red adjustment screw has melted a bit. Are you sure the bellow has no holes in it? And the plastic piston is not damaged? There is also a small oring that dries out and goes hard. I really don't think the metal housing would need to be changed.

 

[DaddyLoafin]

Yeah it’s been like that sense I bought it. It still turns and the cap doesn’t look warped but it could be. I did new bellows and o rings on both.
I thought I remember reading somewhere that over time the housing can wear down and the hole for the shaft on the valve can oval.

 

[etemplet]

The housing does wear but I'd look other places first.. Did you put a spring on the bottom of the bellowsn (lots of people don''t) ? I've put o-rings on them to help the bottom of the bellows seal tighter. That's probably what's leaking. I don't find that affects performance though so I don't worry about it. The biggest problem I've had with raves is that when I installed one the gasket put one of the stems in a bind so "now" I make sure they are "very free" before I button it all up.

The problem you are seeing, I wouldn't give it a second thought. Good Luck !!

 

[DaddyLoafin]

I’m 95% sure I put the spring on the bottom of the bellow. I think the piston might be slightly melted. So I might just end up ordering a good used assembly from westside.

 

[Spider4real]

My experience has been the valve shaft wore and became a bit loose in the hole. I just assumed it was from the carbon buildup that created the friction that wore the stem. So I used to clean them a couple times per season just to be sure. I would have assumed there would have been a wear limit spec, but the shop manual says nothing.

If you do buy a used assemble make sure you get the newer version of the pistons and they match what is on the other side. I had two different versions on mine when I bought it.

But as etemplet said, I would not worry about it either. Mine also leaked liked yours and it did not effect performance at all.

Cheers

 

[DaddyLoafin]

Thanks guys. I’m just trying to clean up a potential fire hazard.