Topic: Proportioning Valve questions/problems

[Poowoo]

I have an 88 4Runner that I did a SAS on and lifted it and I havent figured out what to do with the proportioning valve in the rear, what do you guys usually do to take care of that problem? I definatly need some experts opinions...

[Willy Mammoth]

This is an on going question.

You can do a search for a lot of answers on this subject, but to be brief you can either tie the arm up to the frame or remove it to get full braking power to the rear wheels.

Or extend the rod with an adjustment so you can dial in the bias for your preferred feel. It is there to adjust the rear braking force with differant loads.

[FIREBALL]

Some people have taken them completely out, but seemed like too much of a hassle to me. I just cut the arm and left about an inch then using one of the mounting nuts on the valve, mounted a strap from the stud to what was left of the arm. This way I was able to bend the strap (adjust them arm) to where I liked it and then leave it.

[Poowoo [OP]]

Ok, well does it only affect the rear brakes? Or does it affect the front brakes also?

[kneedownnate]

Rear only

[Poowoo [OP]]

Ok well thats is good to know, I know there are a lot of threads on the board about brakes and everything. But I tied up the rod for the valve, and yet my brakes are "squishy" like they go almost all the way to the floor, but only sometimes, other times they are just fine and they barely go back and brake fine. I have bled my lines twice, what could be the problem? To me it sounds like there could still be air in the lines or something I dont really know. But like I said maybe every other time when I touch the brakes it brakes well and then poorly. HELP!

[FIREBALL]

There is a bleeder on the proportioning valve itself. Make sure you bleed that one too. If you've had you're rear brake lines off you definetly will want to bleed that one. I fought brake probs for days in the past before I realized that was a bleeder too.
Also try the valve in other positions too. Not just all the way up. You may find you're braking feels better with it just a little bit from full up.

[Poowoo [OP]]

Really? Wow I didnt know that there was a bleeder on the valve also, thanks that will be helpful, and yes I will try the rod in a few different positions... When I bleed the proportion valve, should I bleed the rest of my brakes again when I bleed the valve?

[FIREBALL]

It's a pain in the ass, but it couldn't hurt.

[Poowoo [OP]]

Yeah, I just attempted to bleed that, and I took it for a test drive and I noticed that my Brake light on my dash wont go off, so I am thinking I am going to have to bleed the rear axle or something...