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Old Jun 1, 2010 | 01:55 PM
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Brake Problems

I own a 1975 ford f100. It has problems with the drum brakes, both cylinders in the drum brakes are leaking. But that's not the real problem, the real problem is, when I bleed the brakes, air is coming from somewhere. it never comes out in a clear stream, even after i filled the reservoir five times. The experienced mechanic I was working with told me it was the pressure differential valve. could this be it?
 
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Old Jun 1, 2010 | 08:03 PM
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Did you mean the positioning valve? Did you fix all the leaks? If the front cylinders are leaking it could suck in air there too. If the positioning valve is bad it would leak or you would not get fluid in my experience. I have a 75 F-100 4x4 also. I feel you pain. Went through fun with the drum brakes too. I converted to disc brakes back about 5 or 6 years ago. Wasn't cheap but will stop now. But the drums will work if you get everything sealed up. Welcome to FTE.
 
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Old Jun 1, 2010 | 10:55 PM
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If your wheel cylinders are leaking like you say they are, they are going to suck air into the line everytime you press, than release your brakes... Making it so you can't bleed them... The air in the lines is coming from the leak .. You won't be able to bleed them until you replace th bad wheel cylinders, and you won't have the problem anymore
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 08:29 AM
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I completely agree with DansBBF250. If brake fluid can get out, then air can most definitely get in. Only until the braking system is completely sealed and free of leaks can you begin to purge it of air. What's the point of bleeding the brakes if the wheel cylinders leak anyway? Surely you weren't going to put this truck on the road...
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 07:32 PM
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Yes it is VERY dangerous! The leak will only get worse to the point where they will fail... Be sure to replace the brake shoes as well if they have any brake fluid on them. Don't try to clean the brake shoes with brake cleaner it won't work.. Brake fluid is corrosive and will eat away the padding on the shoes. If possible, park it untill you can fix it, and borrow someones car or rent a car untill they are fixed if you don't have another rig. You really don't want to put your life, and other drivers in danger... I'm Not sure why that mechanic told you that, but if you replace your wheel cylinders, and replace your bake shoes, and resurface your drums, and bleed the brakes, all your problems will be gone...
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 10:22 PM
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Ditto what the others have said, why not just replace the wheel cylinders they're like 10 bucks each, if not brake fluid will eventually find it's way onto the brake shoes (if it hasn't done so already) then you'll be into the job for the cost of new shoes as well.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2010 | 11:48 PM
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if you have 4 wheel drums you wouldn't have a preasure differental valve or proportioning valve.There on front disc, rear drum to balance them out.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 12:14 AM
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Originally Posted by bmuhlbach
if you have 4 wheel drums you wouldn't have a preasure differental valve or proportioning valve.There on front disc, rear drum to balance them out.
That is not correct 4 wheel drums still have a proportioning valve. My 75 has one also. I put in a different one when I put the front disc on. The master cylinder has 2 chambers also.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 08:59 AM
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ive got a 74 with drums all around and have not been able to locate a proportioning valve for my truck...i havent actually seen it on my truck but my buddy told me i need to replace it......
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 11:29 AM
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It's on the frame below the master cylinder and behind the cross member. There is a metal piece that sticks up that kind of protects the steering shaft it is right below that. I am running a wild horses one on my truck. I think I paid $98 for it but that was like 5 or 6 years ago.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Dirt racer
It's on the frame below the master cylinder and behind the cross member. There is a metal piece that sticks up that kind of protects the steering shaft it is right below that. I am running a wild horses one on my truck. I think I paid $98 for it but that was like 5 or 6 years ago.
Where did you find that one at? and is it the correct one for drums all the way around?
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 10:26 PM
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I got mine at wildhorses4x4.com It's a bronco site. I bought the whole front disc brake kit from them. I looked and they have a proportioning valve for the drum/drum set up also. According to them it is the same as the disc/ disc setup. It is item number 3037 and the price is $94.99. They changed some of the ways to get around the site. I just typed brakes in the search and it was on the first page. The one I got from them leaked after about 8 months on my truck, but I talked to them and sent them the bad one. They sent out a new one for no charge. That one has been fine for many years.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2010 | 10:43 PM
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Seconded my 75 f250 has all drums and it does indeed have a 2 chamber master and a proportioning valve. witch is failing (as far as I can tell).

Did you say that they had one for DRUM/DRUM or just DISC/DISC?

Thanks.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2010 | 12:41 AM
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Drum/drum brake setups do not use a proportioning valve per se, instead they use only a pressure differential valve, disc/drum brake setups use a pressure differential valve as well but also use a metering valve and/or proportioning valve within the same valve body i.e. a combination valve.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2010 | 08:39 AM
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so the one from wildhorses4x4 will work I assume? anybody else might know where to get one for the drum/drum trucks?
 
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