HOME
Steering Information
Rebuilding Kits & Parts
Rebuilding Services
Other Stuff
StangerSite  ©  2008
All pictures, diagrams, text and  illustrations are the property of StangersSite and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the
Webmaster
Send Me Email
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
Ball Stud Seat comparison
The Seats the Ball Stud sits and pivots in are a much rougher machining than the original Bendix parts.
Housing Bolts comparison
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.
Deformed Lock Washer
FR Tube Hose Seats
The Hose Tube Seats are made of brass on the Flaming River valve, compared to the originals which were made of aluminum
FR End Cap & Screws
FR End Cap & Screws
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.
FR Ball Stud Sleeve - Inside
FR Ball Stud Sleeve - End
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.
FR Valve Housing - Name Casting
FR Valve Housing - Ball Plugs
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.