Dealing with issues due to half-assed CTIS engineering.

[aw113sgte]

Replaced all my CTIS wheel valve assemblies with these: https://midwestmilitaryequipment.com/replacement-ctis-wheel-rim-valve-air-hose-assembly/
From the outside they looked like NOS units and I didn't inspect too closely. They certainly looked good, the hoses were the correct length, high pressure, USA made. The wheel valve looked the part with the color correct corrosion coating, as well as the fittings. I did have some difficulty on two of the banjo fittings (out of 7) where they were a little tight but was able to make it work by just turning the bolt. I did also find it a little odd the o-rings had a little mold flash on them but since everything else looked good I continued.
Unfortunately on our trip I learned the details of how this was some poorly engineered copy. Upon arriving at our campsite, I heard air coming from the QRV (quick release valve). Took a little bit of poking around was able to stop the leak by removing the Philips head screw on the valve body and pushing on the aluminum cup. Taking it apart, I noticed it has these half assed backing features that are ramped and push the aluminum cup into a binding situation. Also saw that every part of the OEM has a part number...not a single one of these new components does. This is not the first time I've been screwed by crappy midwest's "engineering" and had to fix their issues. Thankfully I had just enough tools to limp home. I ended up flaring out the cup with a pair of pliers, then airing up and disconnecting the CTIS controller once it was at acceptable pressure.

OEM on left. Notice the part numbers and the large backing lugs on the aluminum outer cap on the OEM one, rubber diaphragm on OEM also has part numbers. Spring constant on OEM is slightly lower.



OEM on left.


Good design of backing protrusions:




Total crap design of backing protrusions. You can see the aluminum that's been deposited on the ramped surfaces:


Wife took a few pictures of me stressing out about possible solutions to avoid getting stuck.

 

[Keith Knight]

That sucks, I knew the door handles are china knock offs didn’t know they are making CTIS valve knock offs too. I ordered drive shaft u-joints from them, their online picture shows a meritor u-joint with meritor markings but what I received was a white box with no branding and the u-joints had no markings of any kind. I sent them back and received a full refund.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Wow! I had no idea they were having the wheel valves reproduced. That's scandalous. Shame. The new version from Dana no longer use that stupid chunky elbow at the valve stem that's such a pain.....

 

[GeneralDisorder]

That sucks, I knew the door handles are china knock offs didn’t know they are making CTIS valve knock offs too. I ordered drive shaft u-joints from them, their online picture shows a meritor u-joint with meritor markings but what I received was a white box with no branding and the u-joints had no markings of any kind. I sent them back and received a full refund.

Plenty of Meritor NOS units on eBay. The ones the military purchases now use the bolts with the Nord Locks and the small head that snaps off at the proper torque.

 

[aw113sgte]

Wow! I had no idea they were having the wheel valves reproduced. That's scandalous. Shame. The new version from Dana no longer use that stupid chunky elbow at the valve stem that's such a pain.....

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Wish there was a reasonably priced source out there. I dislike the chunky elbow, but they work so I'm okay with it. I'm okay with companies making aftermarket options but this is like the 3rd time I've been burned by Midwest ... You'd think I would learn.
Unfortunately all the other CTIS seem to be rebuilt units with cracked hoses, or incredibly expensive from dana

 

[AKPacker]

Dang, sorry you had issues, this is good info to know. I bought a spare valve from them this summer and it sure looked legitimate, I would have looked elsewhere had I known they were selling inferior knockoffs.

 

[Suprman]

I have a few nos real spicer ones left and some nos valves. The midwest ones are china copies. The small hose that holds tire air isnt armored like the real ones.

 

[Jbulach]

I can only assume they are jettisoning bad reviews? Only one on these, and it’s 5 stars…

Repopping someone’s part/design is bad enough, but including the original companies name on the fake needs to be a top priority for some US entity to combat!

 

[aw113sgte]

I can only assume they are jettisoning bad reviews? Only one on these, and it’s 5 stars…

Repopping someone’s part/design is bad enough, but including the original companies name on the fake needs to be a top priority for some US entity to combat!

Put in my review, will see if it ever pops up.

 

[Ronmar]

Yea MME lost my respect when they took our R&D for a cost effective fan solenoid (~$30), added a connector and some fittings and marked it up to $309...

 

[GeneralDisorder]

MME is definitely one of the worst examples of a "surplus scalper". Can't imagine they have many return customers for their trucks and I'm sure they are using the same Chinese crap on those that they are selling on their website. Our trucks have enough problems from age and Army abuse without Chinese knock-off inferior parts thrown into the mix.

Dana really should explore the civilian market more. They did develop a CTIS system for Jeep's and showed it off - I've seen videos of it. But seemingly never brought it to market. I guess they are fat and happy on their military contracts and not interested in dealing with the public.

 

[serpico760]

MME is definitely one of the worst examples of a "surplus scalper". Can't imagine they have many return customers for their trucks and I'm sure they are using the same Chinese crap on those that they are selling on their website. Our trucks have enough problems from age and Army abuse without Chinese knock-off inferior parts thrown into the mix.

Dana really should explore the civilian market more. They did develop a CTIS system for Jeep's and showed it off - I've seen videos of it. But seemingly never brought it to market. I guess they are fat and happy on their military contracts and not interested in dealing with the public.

$3000 MTVR doors anyone?! Lol

 

[fuzzytoaster]

This sums it all up with MME.

If you're looking for OEM spec rebuilt ones then @CallMeColt is your guy. I supply him with take offs and he goes through them. Heck, he rebuilds other FMTV components for me too with excellent results.

 

[aw113sgte]

This sums it all up with MME.

If you're looking for OEM spec rebuilt ones then @CallMeColt is your guy. I supply him with take offs and he goes through them. Heck, he rebuilds other FMTV components for me too with excellent results.

He provides a great service. I already rebuilt my originals and they were in great shape - except for the hoses. I wish we had a source for those.

 

[CallMeColt]

This sums it all up with MME.

If you're looking for OEM spec rebuilt ones then @CallMeColt is your guy. I supply him with take offs and he goes through them. Heck, he rebuilds other FMTV components for me too with excellent results.

Yeah, Bret can keep me busy at times. I annoy him enough with questions though, surprised he hasn't blocked my number.

 

[CallMeColt]

Yea MME lost my respect when they took our R&D for a cost effective fan solenoid (~$30), added a connector and some fittings and marked it up to $309...

This! Ron did a great job finding the correct solenoid when we both were looking for a solution. When I made a video about the install, shortly after they magically purchased all stock in the United States & had it on their site. This was during COVID-19 shortages, so it took a lot of time to come back.

I make a kit & sell it, but in my video I openly give Ron credit for finding the exact part. I also an open about how the best supplier for the solenoid has a minimum order amount, so you either buy more than you need or spend a little more & get everything you need with me. Yes, I make a little bit but it's not much. It was more to help the community than make a living.

Ron is a smart guy & is a asset to the FMTV community!

 

[CallMeColt]

To anyone who stumbles on this, as @Suprman said above, the MME CTIS wheel valve assembly are copies and the biggest downfall of them is the hoses. Genuine Dana/Spicer ones use hydraulic hose with stainless steel wrapped in rubber. The copies are just heavy duty rubber, more like a fuel/air line. Is it an air line? Yes. Is it exposed to road hazards and trail hazards? Yes. You want these as robust as possible. This also keeps them from kinking. Imbalance in the CTIS is what causes problems. Different types of hose inner diameter or valves can cause this as well. I really need to make my video on the CTIS. I just don't know exactly how to do it!

 

[MatthewWBailey]

MME is definitely one of the worst examples of a "surplus scalper". Can't imagine they have many return customers for their trucks and I'm sure they are using the same Chinese crap on those that they are selling on their website. Our trucks have enough problems from age and Army abuse without Chinese knock-off inferior parts thrown into the mix.

Dana really should explore the civilian market more. They did develop a CTIS system for Jeep's and showed it off - I've seen videos of it. But seemingly never brought it to market. I guess they are fat and happy on their military contracts and not interested in dealing with the public.

It's called getting "Tylered". They're just taking advantage of nice people like a classic used car dealership. "Fully gone thru by our shop", which is code for "we put air in the tires and attached some balloons". Aside from their paint job, I put as much work into mine as anyone would with a truck straight from GP, AND I still have more to do.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

It's called getting "Tylered". They're just taking advantage of nice people like a classic used car dealership. "Fully gone thru by our shop", which is code for "we put air in the tires and attached some balloons". Aside from their paint job, I put as much work into mine as anyone would with a truck straight from GP, AND I still have more to do.

100% agree. Sadly though..... No one would pay the price I would be asking if I really did go through a truck the way I have with my own personal truck. Even Acela ignores things I have felt the need to address. And then I wouldn't even consider selling it till I put 5,000 miles on it personally to ensure there wasn't underlying concerns lurking in the dark corners. Just the nature of these trucks and anyone that promises to deliver a perfect product while starting with imperfect raw materials is a criminal, stupid, or crazy. And probably all of the above depending on the day.

If I were to go into the business of selling these.... Prospective customers would have to apply and go through an interview and approval process to determine both their suitability to the truck as well as their mental state and resilience. Army trucks aren't for everyone that wants one.

 

[IronhorseTX]

I watched this on YouTube the other day and seem’s he’s found someone who now is making LMTV hose kits.

The company was Superior Soobie and Imports: (503) 880-4084. Superiorsoobie.com (ask for Rick)