Hydraulic Brake Control Valves

Automotive Mechanics Technology

Walla Walla Community College
 Objectives

 Identify purpose of metering valve

 Identify purpose of proportioning valve
 Identify purpose of pressure differential
valve
 Explain operation of height sensing
proportioning valve
 Identify Operation of combination valve
 Introduction

Brake hydraulic systems need various type of

control devices
Braking performance must be even and
consistent
Combination disc/drum systems require
different type of valves
 Metering Valve

Purpose of Valve
Location/construction of
metering valve
Operation of metering
valve
Bleeding system with a
metering valve
Metering Valve

 Delays application of front

discs slightly
 Located between master
cylinder and front disc
brakes (pg 100C)
 Operation
 Valve is held open by spring
 Closes at 3 – 30 psi
 Opens at 75 – 300 psi
 Operation happens in
microseconds
Proportioning Proportioning valve balances
Valve pressure on front disc, rear
drum vehicles
Restricts fluid to the rear brakes
Located between MC and rear
brakes (pg 100C)
Split point is the pressure when
P.V. closes
Slope is percentage of rear
pressure to total pressure
Two proportioning valves
required on diagonal split
system
Some 4 wheel disc brake cars
Page 104 – 105C have two Proportioning
valves
 Height Sensing Proportioning
Valve
Used on trucks and some
cars
Reduces pressure to rear
brakes for light loads
Two types of valves
linkage type (pg 107C)
Gravity ball (pg 108C)
Placement of valves
 Height/Load Sensing Valve

 Some systems use one valve per rear wheel.

 Pressure Differential Valve

Hydraulically
operated switch
Located between
front and rear
systems
Some systems use a
low fluid level
switch instead of
a pressure Diff
Switch
 Pg 111C

Combination Valve
Combines 2 or 3
functions
Metering valve
Warning switch
Proportioning
valve
3 Function Combination Valve
Hydraulic System Bleeding
Brake Bleeding and Bleeder
Screws
 Must remove all air
from system
 Five methods
 Manual bleeding
 Pressure bleeding
 Vacuum bleeding
 Gravity bleeding
 Surge bleeding
 Symptoms of Trapped Air

 Low and Spongy when first applied

 Repeated pedal pumping will make pedal
become firm
 Can be similar to drum brakes in need of
adjustment
 Can perform air entrapment test to verify air
in system
 Air Entrapment Test

 Wear safety glasses

 Pump brake 10 to 20 times rapidly
 Hold pedal pressure
 Observe reservoirs
 Let off pedal
 If air in system, air will squirt fluid
 Bleeding Procedures

 Must follow bleeding sequence and procedures

(pg 137L)
 Bench bleed master cylinder first
 Start at high points in system
 Then, continue from farthest point away from MC
and work back towards MC.
 Watch fluid level!
 Use jar and hose to observe fluid
Frozen Bleeder Screw

 Use six sided wrench or

socket
 Always test bleeders first
when doing brake work
 Sometimes a hammer will
break bleeder free
 Sometimes use applied
heat
 Tapping on caliper will
also free air bubbles
 Metering
Valve prep
 Must hold open valve
when pressure bleeding
 Several tools available
Wheel Brake Bleeding
Sequence
Pressure Bleeding Set Up
 Brake Hydraulic System
Service
Manufacturer’s Recommendations
Follow brake inspection schedule
Follow service procedures
Problems of Flushing
System should be refilled with fresh fluid
Intervals are 15,000 to 60,000 miles
Be careful of stirring sludge up in system!
 Recentering a Pressure
Differential Valve
After flushing or work on brake system valve
becomes off center
Make sure other sources not turning on light
Must determine type of Pressure Differential
Valve
Valve may be separate or part of M.C.
 Re-centering Single Piston
Valve with centering springs
 Re-centering single piston
valve without centering springs
Re-centering Two Piston Valve
with Centering Springs
Servicing Hydraulic System
Valves
 Metering Valves

Brake problems caused by bad metering valve

Can allow front brakes to lock prematurely
Testing metering valve
Inspect boot for leakage
Metering valve pressure test (2 methods)
1. Apply brakes and feel stem
2. Pressurize system over 40 psi and open front
bleeder to see if system fluid flows (should not
flow)
 Pg 171L

Proportioning Valve

Brake problems caused by bad proportioning valve

May cause rear drum lock up
Testing proportioning valve
Check for leaks
Check “split point” pressure operation (pg 171L)
Servicing of proportioning valve
Can only overhaul non integral valves
 Pg 174L
Height Sensing Proportioning
Valve
Brake problems caused by bad valve
Can cause over braking or reduced braking
Chassis modifications
Adjustment of valve
Follow factory procedures
Removal and replacement of valve
Road test to make sure correct operation