Do Brake Proportional Valves Go Bad?

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The brake proportional valves are less popular brake parts compared to the pads and brake rotors. They are found only in the disc braking system and are as important as the other parts of the disc brake. They ensure that the rear and front brake only receive the right amount of pressure and balances the brake.

So, do brake proportional valves go bad? Yes, they can go bad either as a result of overuse or due to other conditions such as certain car modifications. Always be on the lookout for a rear wheel lock up as this is the classical sign of brake proportional valves that have gone bad.

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How do you identify a brake proportional valve that has gone bad?

As mentioned earlier, there are signs of a brake proportional valve that has gone bad which are unique to it. When noticed, a diagnosis of a bad brake proportional valve can be made even before going to see a repair technician.

To become an expert in knowing when the brake proportional valve begins to go bad, you must learn what the proportional valve is and what it does in the brake system. Its role will inform you on what to look out for when suspecting that the valves have gone bad.

Hydraulic brake systems such as the disc brake system work by creating pressure in the fluid through the brake pedal. This pressure gets to both the rear and front brakes via the brake lines. The pressure explains how the rotors and the pads come together to create the friction and thermal energy of the brake system.

The brake proportional valves are central to regulating the portion of the pressure that gets to the front brake and that which gets to the rear brakes.

The bad condition brake proportional valves are noticed mostly during critical conditions such as over a wet road. A previous experience is one of the factors which facilitate early diagnosis of bad brake proportional valves. When you have experienced this, it becomes easier to tell when the valves go bad subsequently.

The proportional valve going bad has the same degree of risk as when the pads or the rotors fail. A bad proportional valve should not be taken with less seriousness and should be repaired or replaced as soon as the diagnosis is made. The key to early detection is familiarizing yourself with the giveaway signs of a bad proportional valve and keeping an eye out for them.

What is the role of the brake proportional valve in the car’s brake system?

Not much is known about the brake proportional valve. while their existence may not be as prominent as those of the brake rotors and calipers, you will be forced to acknowledge their existence when these valves become damaged.

The inability to tell when a part of the car is not in good condition will cause the problem to linger and cause more damage by the time it is finally discovered. However, if you are familiar with all the car parts and the signs of their malfunction, it will help in the early diagnosis of the mechanic and prompt intervention.

When the proportional valves become damaged, it is demonstrated by certain signs, some of which are unique to proportional valves while others are seen in conditions such as damaged brake pads or calipers. However, early detection of any of these signs will necessitate a prompt visit to the mechanic.

The brake proportioning valve is needed for its role in ensuring that the front and the rear brakes receive the right proportion of pressure when the brakes are applied. It balances the amount of pressure the brakes receive, particularly the rear brakes which should receive less pressure than the front brakes.

The significance of this is seen mostly in situations such as when a vehicle such as a truck that is light on its rear end is deceleration on a steep slope. Too much pressure on the rear brakes could cause them to become locked up which may cause the truck to tumble over.

So, to save driving and safe braking, you need the brake proportional valves to allocate the right proportion of pressure to the front and rear brakes that are adequate to keep the brakes in balance and functioning smoothly.

you may notice that your car’s proportional valve looks different from others. the same car model can have a different type of brake proportional valve as more than one type of valve may be suited for the car model.

The 3 types of valves of note are the load sensing type, the combination valve and the cylinder mounted type. if unsure of which of these are compatible with your car, read the manufacturer guide or speak with an expert.

What causes the brake proportional valve to go bad?

Just like the pads, after a long while of driving, the proportion brake valves simply give up and need to be replaced. This is true for even the highest quality brake proportional valves. On some occasions, however, bad brake proportional valves do not result from use but rather a consequence of some modification done at other parts of the car which affects balance.

While carrying some of the car modifications, it is hard to imagine that they will end up impacting negatively on the proportion valves. This may be a result of the fact that not much is known about the brake proportional valves.

So, here are some of the car modifications which have been shown to cause brake proportional valves to go bad.

  • Modifications that cause an increase in the distance of the car from the ground
  • Modifications involving the caliper piston, rear rotors, front axle, rear caliper piston, and others.
  • Using a different tire whose grip is less than the previous tire.
  • Modifications that lead to a reduction in the coefficient of friction of the rear brake pads

The above medications are in factor of front bias. As for the rear bias, the following medications will cause this to increase.

  • If the new tires grip more tightly than the former
  • Use of tires that raise the car off the ground
  • Modifications that increase the diameter of the rear brake rotor, the rear brake caliper pistons and that of the front caliper piton, and the coefficient of friction of the front brake pad.

Modifications involving the caliper pistons, tire size, brake pad, and rear/front rotors have signification implications on the proportional valves. These modifications should therefore be done in a way that the new dimension of these parts does not adversely impact the brake proportional valves.

Tire types and height are one of the most common modifications done without consulting the experts. You may succeed in lifting the vehicle off the ground and create an impressive look but at the expense of the brake proportional valve which may fail as a result.

Car modifications have significant consequences on other car parts. These modifications must not be carried out by an inexperienced person with inadequate knowledge and skill. When intending to go for a taller tire, for example, the tire’s height will raise the car higher above the ground. This affects the center of gravity of the car as well as other car parts such as the brake proportional valve.

The role of brake proportional valves have be assigned to the ABS in some modern cars. This makes the ABS one of the prime suspects when experiencing certain brake signs.

Can you test the brake proportional valves?

For those who consider themselves driving masters, you can attempt to do a self-diagnosis on your car. Do not however do this on your own without assistance being on the lookout.

The procedure is simple but can be dangerous if not done correctly. You may batch your car or those of others. chose a parking lot or road that is empty at the movement of carrying out the test. Drive the car at a moderate speed and apply emergency brakes while paying attention to how the rear brake is fair.

When should the brake proportional valve be replaced?

For divers who are not absent-minded about the condition of the car, it is easy to spot the signs of a brake proportional valve that has gone bad, such as those mentioned above. When these signs are observed, the car should be taken to the repair station when it will be determined whether the brake proportional valves are responsible or not.

The technician is also in the best position to determine the best course of action, be it repair or replacement. The car driver can suspect the brake proportional valve and even test the valve to determine if they are the cause of the nose-diving or any other similar symptom present. However, the final diagnosis and repair or replacement should be carried out 

by a qualified technician.

Do Brake Proportional Valves Go Bad – Conclusion

So, here is everything you need to know about brake proportional valves. If you are still in doubt or have further questions or follow-up questions on what the brake proportional valves are, how necessary they are, or their role in the brake system, including how to know when they have gone back, drop a comment in the section below.

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