My old boss told me to never trust a hydraulic valve block from a certain rebuild shop in Chicago

He said they cut corners on the seals and their pressure tests were a joke. I ignored him on a job last year because their price was half of our usual supplier. Sure enough, the valve failed after about 3 months, dumping 30 gallons of fluid into a pit on a Friday night. The call-back cost us more in labor and parts than we ever saved. Now I stick with the brands I know have a good track record. Has anyone else had a bad run with rebuilt hydraulic parts from a specific vendor?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor.phoenix2mo ago

Man, that's rough. So when your boss warned you, was it just about that one shop, or did he have a bigger rule about rebuilt parts in general? I mean, I've heard some shops are great and others are terrible, but it makes you wonder how you're supposed to tell the difference before you get burned.

patel.daniel1mo ago

Right, so here's the thing about rebuilt parts. Your best bet is to look for stuff that's been through a proper tear-down rebuild, not just a quick clean and a new gasket. The good places will flush the case, replace all the bearings, and actually measure the rotor end play before re-assembly. If they can't tell you their specific rebuild process or show you some kind of testing, run. I've learned to ask for a bench test report if it's a motor or a pump, and if they give you a weird look, that's your red flag right there.

james5332mo ago

Yeah, that's why I never cheap out on seals. Bought some generic ones for a pump once and they swelled up like crazy in hot weather. Total mess that cost me a weekend.