A solenoid assembly for use in connection with a housing and valve body is provided. The assembly includes a magnetic coil, a magnetic pole piece, an operating rod, a magnetic armature, and at least two bearings positioned between a portion of the magnetic pole piece and a portion of the operating rod. The operating rod is slidably disposed along the bearings. The magnetic armature is at least in part centered relative to the pole piece. Activation of the coil provides an attraction between the armature and the pole piece.