Control Valve Problem

[RWGoforth]

I have a John Deere 2240 Tractor with a Model 522 Front End loader attachment. Recently, the joy stick start feeling sticky when I raised the bucket and soon the bucket would tilt but only lift very, very slowly. Everything else hydraulic works fine and when I switched the hoses around the bucket would lift but not tilt. I am pretty sure that it is in the control valve. I have a feeling it is just the plunger but I don't know how to order any repair parts because I can't find any part or model number on the control valve. Can anybody offer any ideas about how I can move forward with this? I am a reasonably good mechanic but I have no experience with hydraulic repairs.

Thank you.

 

[oldnslo]

With the loader on the ground and all pressure removed look at the following:
1) is this valve direct operated via mechanical linkage or remote via cables. If mechanical linkage check to make sure non of the ball joints are binding. If cables check the cables to see if it is binding.
2) on the end of the valve opposite where the linkage attaches there should be a cover over the end of the spool and centering spring assembly. Carefully remove this cover and check for crud, rust, etc. in the centering spring assembly. If this spool has a detent there could be some spring loaded parts that may fly out if you move the spool assembly with this cover off.