Replace Rain Bird Valve Diaphragm & Bonnet - Quick Repair Guide
What You'll Learn
- How to replace the entire valve top assembly (diaphragm, bonnet, solenoid)
- Turn troubleshooting into a quick win by replacing everything at once
- Make your valve essentially brand new without testing individual parts
Complete Valve Rebuild
Instead of troubleshooting which part failed, replace the entire valve top assembly. This fixes everything except a damaged valve body or seat, making your valve essentially brand new in one go.
Why Replace the Whole Assembly?
- Eliminates troubleshooting - fixes diaphragm, bonnet, and solenoid issues all at once
- Quick repair - no need to test individual components
- More cost-effective than replacing the entire valve
- Only requires finding the exact model valve you have
Replacement Steps
- Shut off water supply to the system
- Unbolt the valve top (bonnet assembly) - usually 4-8 screws, or twist off if it's a jar-style top
- Carefully remove the old diaphragm and bonnet assembly
- Install the new diaphragm and bonnet (must be exact model match)
- Bolt down the new bonnet assembly evenly (or twist on if jar-style)
- Rewire the new solenoid by swapping wire for wire from old to new
- Test the zone before closing valve box
Critical: You must find the exact model valve. Rain Bird has many valve models and the parts are NOT interchangeable. Check the valve body for model numbers before ordering parts.
Related Guides
Related Tools
FAQ
What if I can't find the exact model valve?
You must identify your valve model before ordering parts. Look for model numbers stamped on the valve body. Common Rain Bird models include DV, DVF, PGA, and JTV. Parts are NOT interchangeable between models.
What problems does this fix?
Replacing the complete bonnet assembly fixes stuck valves, leaking diaphragms, valve won't open/close, weak flow, and electrical/solenoid issues. The only things it won't fix are cracked valve body or damaged seat.
Is this cheaper than replacing the whole valve?
Yes, significantly. A complete bonnet/diaphragm/solenoid kit costs $15-30 versus $40-60 for a new valve. Plus you save time not digging up and replacing plumbing connections.
