The automotive car parts experts of one of the leading Suzuki Parts dealers, BP Auto Spares India says that though each and every part of your car plays a quintessential role in making it run on the road, special attention must be paid to the brakes of a vehicle, because without it there is no way you can bring a car to a complete halt. There are varied numbers of valves that are there in the car braking system, some of which work in harmony with the brake master cylinder while others work independently from the master cylinder.
One such valve is the proportioning valve.
What is a Proportioning Valve?
A proportioning valve has a vital role to play in vehicles that have disc brakes installed on the front wheel and drum brakes on the rear wheels. What happens is that since the disc brake pads are in contact with the disc and the drum brake shoes are not in contact with the drum; if a proportioned pressure is not applied the disc brakes would be activated before the drum brakes upon depressing the brake pedal. The proportioning valve carries out this important function of engaging drum brakes before the brake discs.
The proportioning valve applies a proportionate pressure to the rear wheels on the front wheel drive cars to prevent locking up when you suddenly. This ability to engage the rear brakes first before the brake disc provides control and stability to stop the vehicle safely.
But what if these proportioning valves go bad or start malfunctioning? We will take the vehicle for proportioning valve replacement to a local mechanic or do it on our own.
Steps to Replace a Proportioning Valve
Tools Required
- Wrench set
- Boxed end wrenches
- Safety glasses and Gloves
- The new set of proportioning valves
- Floor Jack
- Jack stands
- Socket Set
Step 1: Since a Proportioning Valve is located under the master cylinder on the driver’s side of the engine compartment, you have to go under the car to get things done. For this, you need to raise the front of your vehicle with the floor jack and secure the front tires with the triangular jack stands.
Step 2: You will be able to access a proportioning valve with much ease with the front tire removed. Use a lug wrench or impact wrench to pry off the front tire.
Step 3: There is only one way you can easily remove a Proportioning Valve from the vehicle and that is by disconnecting the brake lines coming out of it and also the wire harness that is connected directly to the low brake fluid light on your dash. Use an open-ended wrench to disconnect the brake line from the valve.
Step 4: Now with the help of a ratchet set unbolt the screws that are keeping the Proportioning Valve in place and remove it.
Step 5: Once the old valve is removed, immediately get on the task of replacing it with the new one securing it with the bolts you previously removed.
Step 6: Once the new Proportioning Valve is in its place, put the harness back on and reconnect the brake lines.
In case you are looking for a new set of Proportioning Valves then you can check the wide assortment of automotive parts, BP Auto Spares India stocks for major car and truck models.