LeBlond engineers made one catastrophic material choice in the 1960s. Nylon seemed perfect for servo shift components.

They were dead wrong. Every machine owner has been paying for it ever since.

That clicking sound coming from your Regal? It’s nylon disintegrating at 325 PSI.

The Nylon Nightmare

Hot hydraulic oil and nylon don’t play well together. At operating pressure, that oil becomes a component-melting furnace.

The result? Brittle plastic that cracks under normal use. Your machine starts shifting like it’s having a seizure.

Large Piston: The Main Culprit

The large piston controls your speed range positioning. Original nylon versions turn brittle and crack.

You’ll notice erratic shifting or complete gear engagement failure.

The fix? 

LeBlond now manufactures large pistons in aluminum. Problem solved forever.

Aluminum doesn’t care about hot oil. It’ll outlast your machine.

Small Piston: The Silent Partner

Works with the large piston to control shift positioning. Less prone to failure but still vulnerable.

When it goes bad, you get incomplete shifts. Your machine sits in neutral when it should be working.

Valve Slide: The Complex Beast

Four components working together: lower piece, slide mechanism, upper retainer and gear. All nylon because there’s no alternative.

This assembly controls oil flow through ports. When it cracks, you lose pressure and shifting stops completely.

Lifespan For Your Regal?

Heavy daily use? Your valve slide lasts 2-3 years maximum. Weekend warriors get 6-8 years.

The aluminum large piston is bulletproof. Install once and forget about it.

The Lost Generation Problem

Machines from the early 1960s to early 1970s face a quicksand scenario. Original valve slide molds are gone.

Lost to time. No rebuilds possible.

Your only option is a conversion kit that replaces the servo shift with a gearhead spindle. Costs about $1,000 but requires expert installation.

Maintenance That Actually Matters

Keep hydraulic oil clean. Dirty oil accelerates nylon breakdown and creates abrasive particles.

Monitor oil temperature. Excessive heat kills nylon faster than normal wear.

Watch for erratic shifting behavior. Don’t wait for complete failure.

LeBlond’s Solution

We stock aluminum large pistons that eliminate the biggest failure point. One installation solves the problem permanently.

Valve slide kits come with alignment pins pre-installed. You still need correct spring and detent timing.

Conversion kits transform early Regal servo shift machines into reliable workhorses. Our technicians provide installation guidance.

The Bottom Line

Servo shift technology hasn’t changed much since the 1960s. The materials have.

Aluminum components solve the heat problem that plagued original designs. Nylon valve slides remain the weak link, but proper maintenance extends their life significantly.

Don’t wait for catastrophic failure. Proactive replacement keeps your machine earning money instead of sitting idle.

Contact LeBlond For Servo Shift Parts

If you need to order servo shift components for your legacy Regal, please contact us:

• Call +1 (888) 532-5663 (Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm ET) & select Option 1.
• Or leave a comment below!

We look forward to hearing from you!