Universal Air EX5481C A/C Expansion Valve - Front or Rear

Thermal Expansion Valve for A/C Flow Control

Universal Air EX5481C is a thermal expansion valve for automotive HVAC systems that regulate refrigerant flow into the evaporator. It is listed for a wide range of Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge applications, including Ford E-350 Super Duty, Chevrolet G10, and GMC Suburban and van platforms.

• Thermal expansion valve for A/C refrigerant metering
• Fits select rear, front, and N/A-position HVAC applications
• Application-specific coverage for 9.53mm inlet and fixed-orifice setups
• Listed for Ford E-150, E-250, E-350 Super Duty, and Econoline models
• Also listed for Chevrolet Astro, G10, G20, C10, C20, and GMC Jimmy/Suburban variants
• Part number: EX5481C

Product Details

The Universal Air Thermal Expansion Valve line focuses on refrigerant flow restriction at the evaporator inlet, helping the A/C system maintain proper cooling balance across supported vehicles. EX5481C is cataloged for many older and later van, truck, and SUV platforms, including Ford E-350 Super Duty rear A/C applications and Chevrolet/GMC body-on-frame HVAC layouts. If you are sourcing an EX5481C replacement for a Ford E-150, GMC Jimmy, or Chevrolet Astro, verify the inlet size, notched or non-notched configuration, and position before ordering.

This part cross-references no additional part numbers in the provided data.

Common Problems This Part Addresses

• Irregular cabin cooling from incorrect refrigerant metering
• Warm air from the vents when the evaporator is not being fed correctly
• Restricted A/C performance in rear HVAC systems
• System imbalance after replacing evaporator or related flow-control components
• Fitment issues on vehicles requiring a 9.53mm inlet thermal expansion valve

Installation Notes and Tips

• Confirm the vehicle year, make, model, and HVAC position against the fitment list before installation.
• Match the inlet specification and note details such as fixed orifice, notched, or non-notched configuration.
• Inspect the evaporator tube, liquid line, and related seals for wear before reassembly.
• Recover refrigerant and service the system using proper A/C procedures and equipment.

Quality Assurance

Universal Air EX5481C is cataloged as a dedicated thermal expansion valve for specific automotive HVAC applications, with fitment coverage spanning 1968-2018 model years across supported vehicles.