FEL Valve Notchy or Sticky

[Crank Shaft]

I have a B2320 that I got new back in 2014 and it came with a factory-installed joystick FEL valve which I used only to operate a power angle snowplow.

About 5 years ago I got a used loader for a good price and installed it myself. It worked great but gradually the FEL valve has gotten harder and harder to operate smoothly.

By smoothly, I refer to the ability to feather the control valve for very slow movements of the bucket. The valve now seems to want to operate like a light switch; Full On or Full Off. This applies to both bucket curl and bucket lift.

Anybody have any idea what might be wrong? I used to be able to feather the movements, but now it is next to impossible.

Here is what I have done so far:

1) Made sure all valve linkages are well oiled or greased.
2) Drilled tiny oil hole where the valve return springs reside and injected spray lube in the holes.

Despite this, the joystick is notchy or sticky, making smooth application very difficult. Not cool when lifting engine blocks or heavy items.
Thanks for any and all advice.

 

[oldnslo]

Can you disconnect the joystick linkage from the valve spool? If yes move the joystick to see if it is now moving freely. If yes the try to manually push and pull on the spool. If this is notchy the end caps covering spring assembly will probably need to be removed and components cleaned.

Only other option is some contaminates got in the valve passages and scored the spool or valve bore which is unusual but possible. You might be able to carefully remove the spools from the valve body and polish spool and hone valve bore but in doing so could increase internal leakage so loader drifts under load.