Well 1 can on Amazon was $21 + shipping and I've got plenty of projects including a 1962 FJ40
KDSS frozen...no lift install?
- Thread starter dscully
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Slee was installing the lift on my 2014 and said the Valve was frozen. They used other tricks by removing the swaybars to level the truck with the lift. Not sure how that works so don't ask me.
My 2014 only has 25K miles and I am calling the dealer to work this under warranty.
Christo said they don't treat the metal at all so it quickly corrodes. Need to search to see what others have done to coat the valve so this doesn't happen again
My 2014 only has 25K miles and I am calling the dealer to work this under warranty.
Christo said they don't treat the metal at all so it quickly corrodes. Need to search to see what others have done to coat the valve so this doesn't happen again
MScruiser
obsessive-compulsive oppositional-defiant wise-ass
I open my valves 3 turns, and then coat the exposed threads with grease. Then open and close the valves a few times, to work the grease into the threads. After closing the valves (IIRC, the FSM calls for around 8-10ft/lbs), I coat the entire area with more grease, to make it nearly impermeable to water. So far, has worked for me. As a matter of fact, I just opened my valves for the first time in nearly a year, and had zero trouble getting them open. 
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This is absurd.....they should issue a recall....heck, they don't sell many of these - and its their flagship model at $80K.....you'd think the customer base they would like to keep loyal would be us.....
MScruiser
obsessive-compulsive oppositional-defiant wise-ass
99% of owners probably don't know or don't care about it, and will never need it.
So we are the 1%?
I wish Slee would chime in here.
I would have to say that we are the 1%... Let's be real here, majority of the 200's on the road are nothing more than grocery getters. Only a few enthusiasts are really going to use these vehicles for what they are capable of. Those folks are also most likely to jump on a site and brag about the awesomeness that is their rig. Those crazy people might also talk about issues their having or potential upgrades their seeking out. Oh, and they'll probably want to meet up at amazing locations to show off who can get the most insane wheel articulation.
So, long and short is that, yeah, we're the 1%.
When slee installed mine they put some "stuff" all over the valve to prevent any future issues. the valve was fine beforehand.
I'll have to ask him what it was, Christo @sleeoffroad ?
We've now done two that had stuck valves, it make the install more arduous but not impossible. The problem is getting it to balance. On truck #1 it was pretty damn level post lift so we didn't need to balance, on the last install we had the suspension finished but it needed major balancing. We used a pencil torch and an impact driver to finally free them up and balance over night with some "influence".
Who did you buy the kit from? Were they able to provide any install resolution?
Jowett Performance
Brian has been as helpful as possible via PM and even by phone, but no real silver bullet yet. I'm about to give up.
So did you use Pencil Torch and heat the bolt itself, or valve body?
Bolt only. But if you can't get them, install it anyways, worse case you have to "force" it to level after the fact. We are 50/50 on leveling after lift on stuck valve trucks and I bet the 2nd one would have manually leveled if we had more time following the lift to sort it out. You might have to park it on car ramps for a weekend 
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Agreed that 99% (if not more) will never notice or deal with it, but as these vehicles age and require KDSS service (will they ever?) - then it may become an issue as they are surprised (mortified) by their bill at the dealership service department.
I think its the incongruence here that bothers me the most between the Brand (the model's reputation and history), the price of the vehicle and the quality of this part. For lack of a better term, its simply "bull-s***" that we should have to deal with this at all... If this were a Hyundai Tucson or something I might shrug my shoulders and go with the "you get what you pay for" motif.
its location is whats killing it with rust issues.
there was an Australian guy on here a year or so ago that ordered or bought his 200 without the kdss as he wanted to run a larger lift / tire than what the system would allow - or something along those lines - anyhow I'm betting that in the near future some folks with less sensitivity for the system (than us) will do away with it and run these rigs without. Kinda like how "some" of the 100 series guys that have rigs that came stock with ACH have done away with that system. just my thoughts on the matter
gaijin
GOLD Star
What do you folks think of this idea for preventing corrosion of the KDSS valves?
1. Clean off the surface of the valve body
2. Back out the screws as prescribed (3 turns) and apply anti-seize compound to the exposed threads
3. Screw in/out the screws to evenly distribute the anti-seize compound and re-apply as necessary
4. Close both valves and torque to spec
5. Spray the bottom surface of the valve body and screw heads with Plasti-Dip
This should prevent any corrosion, provide a coating more dxurable than a layer of grease, and allow easy access to any future required adjustment.
Thoughts?
1. Clean off the surface of the valve body
2. Back out the screws as prescribed (3 turns) and apply anti-seize compound to the exposed threads
3. Screw in/out the screws to evenly distribute the anti-seize compound and re-apply as necessary
4. Close both valves and torque to spec
5. Spray the bottom surface of the valve body and screw heads with Plasti-Dip
This should prevent any corrosion, provide a coating more dxurable than a layer of grease, and allow easy access to any future required adjustment.
Thoughts?
Markuson
SILVER Star
Bolt only. But if you can't get them, install it anyways, worse case you have to "force" it to level after the fact. We are 50/50 on leveling after lift on stuck valve trucks and I bet the 2nd one would have manually leveled if we had more time following the lift to sort it out. You might have to park it on car ramps for a weekend
Regarding car ramps and leveling...
My driveway is not level... Tilts slightly downward left to right. Have you, or others, found you have to alternate your parking direction to avoid developing a tilt? I ask because when camping...you might end up parked in at awkward angles on weird terrain. Always wondered how this works out. Not really dying to TRY and cause it to see... Anyone discover an answer to this Q?
