While I was replacing the rear suspension components and painting the back of my frame, I found this part. I have no idea what it is, but it doesn't look like it works anymore. It's really dang rusty. It's on the passenger side of the frame, pretty close to the rear wheel on the inside of the frame.



also, my parking brake doesn't work, so i'm wondering if that's part of the parking brake system.

 

thats a proportioning valve. there is a bar leading off of that that goes to your rear axle. it measures how much weight is in the back of the truck and sens the right amount of stopping power to the rear wheels. it has nothing to do with your E brake because the Ebrake is a cable system.

nice new springs and shocks.

 

thanks, tell you what i'm going to get rid of all the rust on this truck.

It is worth replacing? Is there a way to tell if it's bad?

 

uhh yeah its a the proportioning valve... with alot of rust on it

 

you can get rid if it all together if you get a manual valve. you can get a pretty nice on from summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3905/

your local parts store should be able to get you one too.

 

what's the advantage of a manual valve?

 

that's weird... I knew exactly what he was asking about when I seen the thread title, before I even opened the thread and read it

 

as long as it aint leakin i would leave it

 

You'd better start soaking it in penetrant about a month before you start working on it. That's a lot of rust. Be prepared to replace some steel lines too. Better spray the other ends of those lines right off too. You might be replacing anything you put a wrench on.

 

i've been replacing stuff on this truck since i got it last year. i've just gone to the dealership and bought every bolt that I planned on removing. it's the smartest thing that i've done so far.

my wife was saying that it doesn't brake very well. i'm wondering if replacing this valve would help. i'll probably replace it either way just cuz i'm trying to get rid of the rust. man it was so rust i couldn't even get the spare tire down. i had to get a new spare tire holder thing. fyi, a while ago i took off the bed and replaced nearly everything that i could replace and painted the frame with por15.

 

Well you might be replacing your self adjuster in the rear brakes too if you can't get it to move. I'd suggest taking off your drums and taking a look to see if you have any rear brakes left and if so they will probably need some adjusting so that the shoes are closer to the drums. Tha will help with the parking brake. You may also need to adjust the cable in front of your gas tank to get the right throw out of the lever under your dash. First do the rear brake adjustment or rear brakes before you do the other cable adjustment.

 

the problem with the parking brake is that the cable going to one of the wheels is rusted up (gosh, what a surprise). i need to just get loosen it up. it's already adjusted properly, and i've already checked the rear brakes. they're fine.

i'll just replace the valve with a new factory one. i don't want to mess with a manual one.