Jim wrote:
I have not understood that little distribution valve since day one and would be
more than happy to be rid of it. It may well be where my problem lies but even
if it isn't I'd be glad to get rid of something that makes no sense to me...
The early disc brake cars did not have the pin (check valve) in the
proportioning assembly. It simply ran the brake fluid (read pressure) into four
directions. The later style with the check valve and dual circuit master
cylinder worked to keep pressure to 1/2 of the brakes in the event of a
failure. The valve (pin) shifts position when a sudden leak occurs and blocks
the leaking side of the circuit. The 2nd circuit still works and the brakes
respond, although not as well as all four working together.
The pin (valve) has to be centered after a system failure. That allows pressure
to all four brakes again. The manuals explain how to recenter it but it is
harder to do than they say.
You can switch over to the earlier style proportioning assembly and eliminate
the test/failure light but you lose all the brakes in the event of a failure.
HTH,
Kent
1960 Bugeye
1975 Midget - trailerparked queen
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