Anybody use a brake proportioning valve? Any advice on style to purchase? I am currently in the market to buy one for my car. I am having issues with the rear brakes locking up under hard braking, most likely due to lack of weight in the rear of the car. I am going to try and run with weights in the rear of the car to try and get rid of this but who knows. I would think that the lever style would be better for being able to repeat adjustments, but how often does one really adjust ? any info is appreciated. Thanks

 

Brad,

To clairify - I think what you actually need is a BIAS adjuster or controller. And you may want to let folks know that this is for a early 80's Rabbit.

Shameless bump for someone who really needs to know cause I don't want you spinning in front of me due to rear lockup

Nash

 

I sure as heck won't be in front of you....unless you are passing me. I think I have figured a way to fix the problem for this weekend, but would still like to know about the valves, as I think I will still need one.

As far as spinning, if the car is that bad, and I can't fix it, it will be on the trailer

 

whay type of pads are you running the rear?

 

As Rambler said, this is for my 1980 VW Rabbit. The car has front vented disk brakes and rear drums. The fronts have Porterfield R-4 and the rear drums have the stock shoes. The car is really, really light *haven't had time to weigh it yet* and I think that is part of the problem with the weight transfer. I am trying to get my hands on a used brake booster and master cylinder tonight to swap on the car at the track. We'll see if this helps and if it does I will be buying a new master cylinder and possibly adding a prop. valve at the same time.

 

Brad,

Both types are proportioning vavles will work. The lever type does have presets, so you can always get to the same point, but you will only have maybe 6-8 settings versus an infinite amount.

Have you also thought about adding slots to the rear shoes? By reducing the surface area/contact surface, you are effectively changing your braking force.

Just my $.02

 

To put in an adjustable unit, you are going to have to replumb your brake lines. You have to make one channel the front and the other the rear. Right now they will be left front/right rear on one channel and right front/left rear on the other.

 

Yes, I am aware of having to make channels for the lines. Unfortunately I don't have the time tonight to be able to make the channels like I would want. I have learned of a in line style prop. valve that came in cabrio's that I am trying to hunt down. These should fix my problem for this weekend. I will be putting a prop. valve in the car sometime in the future. Thanks for all the helpful advice