Hydraulic

Brake Control
Valves

Automobile Technology
Ceylon German Technical
Training Institute
Moratuwa

K.G.A.T.Maduranga
14316
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
 Operation
◦ Valve is held open by spring
◦ Closes at 3 – 30 psi
◦ Opens at 75 – 300 psi
 Operation happens in
microseconds
 Proportioning valve balances
Proportioning Valve pressure on front disc, rear
drum vehicles
Restricts fluid to the rear
brakes
Located between MC and rear
brakes
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
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
Gravity ball
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
 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
 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
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)
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
Servicing of proportioning valve
Can only overhaul non integral valves
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