I did see a thread on here about brake proportioning valves that was about 3 years old. So I wanted to know what's new since then.
Has anyone had problems with a leaking proportioning valve from Fine Lines or anywhere else? The first one I bought leaked. The replacement one they sent me also leaks. Not too happy - took me a couple hours to change it out and then bleed all 4 wheels by myself. Was hoping to drive the Challenger to Carlisle next week. Looking grim now. : (
It leaks at the brake switch and also at the bottom cap, which I tried tightening.
Gonna look and see if I have a spare original one since I found out you can rebuild them.
If I don't have one, does anyone have one they want to sell? I have a '70 Challenger with power front discs.
I've heard of & seen allot of problems with the Inline tube valves.... Generally the Fine Lines valves seem to be okay.....
In order to try and salvage your Carlisle weekend, I think I'd try using some thread "paste" on the fittings that are leaking. Try the paste...not the tape. Fine Lines recommends using the paste on the back side of their stainless flared fittings.
I just saw someone on Instagram post he had 2 new ones leak
Then took it apart and found a missing o-ring.
But I would double check the repair manual to see if it originally came with o-ring.
Quote from: Burdar on July 02, 2020, 06:06:23 AM
In order to try and salvage your Carlisle weekend, I think I'd try using some thread "paste" on the fittings that are leaking. Try the paste...not the tape. Fine Lines recommends using the paste on the back side of their stainless flared fittings.
Thread paste. Is that like liquid teflon tape? White stuff?
The back side? Not sure i understand. So, not on the threads?
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Yes, the white paste. Firm Feel recommends a little be applied on the back side of the flare. That would stop any potential leakage between the line and the fitting. You could still add a small amount to the threads to seal the fitting to the distribution block. After reading "autoxcudas" post, I'd take the valve apart and look for that missing seal. You'll have to take it apart anyway if you want to try applying some paste.
you can get rebuild parts from musclecarresearch. https://www.musclecarresearch.com/mopar-parts. I have had a couple of leaks and their parts helped but the leaks are coming back just not as bad. I use dot 5 and though I like the benefits of not harming the paint I think it doesn't keep the seals conditioned properly.
I'm on my second Inline Tube chinese valve and am using DOT5.
Unfortunately the second one is leaking also.......really aggravated.
Decided to finally have my original blocks reconditioned from Brake and Equipment Warehouse.......haven't installed yet but am crossing my fingers
Hope I don't have to purge the DOT5, but that's interesting to hear that DOT5 may not allow proper sealing.
I have been using their (own recommended) contact link to inquire about valve parts for 2 weeks and have yet to receive a reply. Website says they work a day job so use the form.
Anyone buy from them lately?
Quote from: mopar jack on July 02, 2020, 07:55:06 AM
you can get rebuild parts from musclecarresearch. https://www.musclecarresearch.com/mopar-parts. I have had a couple of leaks and their parts helped but the leaks are coming back just not as bad. I use dot 5 and though I like the benefits of not harming the paint I think it doesn't keep the seals conditioned properly.
My valve leaked at the bottom of the hold off valve, the large cap with a pin sticking out. I tried 2 new ones then decided to rebuild. The muscle car research parts look like good quality and the seal held for a couple of months but now it is weeping. I have a good friend dodge 33 a member on this site and he went through a couple of valves and decided to gut it out and braze it closed. The hold off valve was intended to prevent front wheel lock up in icy conditions. Don't think I would miss it. If you remove the hold off valve you will need a Y or tee to couple the two front brake lines.
I read that DOT5 and the seals in those valves don't play well together. I don't know if there is any true to it as that was the writer's opinion. No experience with DOT5 as I use DOT3. Just throwing it out there. I hope you get it solved.
Finally found that post of the two leaking new proportioning valves:
Aggravating.....why is it so hard with today's amazing technology to reproduce 50+ year technology for the right price........
Because most of it is made in China....greed ruined all our quality long ago.
So, I took apart both proportioning valves. One of them had a crooked o-ring located above the brake switch and also a bent cup / seal / grommet that goes in the bottom end of the valve. But on the other one, everything looked fine, and they both leaked. So figure that one out.
Anyway, to recap, mine was leaking at the bottom bolt which is just a cap basically, and also at the brake switch. I put it back together with some thread sealant on the threads and the leaks SEEM to have gone away, but I am keeping my eye on it. Time will be the true test. Not ready to count my chickens just yet
So those leaks went away but then I had new leaks at some of the line connections... but I tightened them up some more and they also seem to have gone away. My test drives are only a 2 mile loop around my house. taking it easy. My lines are stainless and they are difficult to seat. I think it's the older stuff (very hard) and they now use a softer stainless. Running DOT 5 fluid. Hoping I don't have to switch back to DOT 3. Not sure what to believe out there.
BTW Fine Lines has been very good about helping me so I just want to give them credit for that. I don't have any bad feelings towards them. They are still sending me a new valve at no charge.
Glad to hear Fine lines is helping.
Quote from: Mr Lee on July 07, 2020, 10:13:27 AM
So, I took apart both proportioning valves. One of them had a crooked o-ring located above the brake switch and also a bent cup / seal / grommet that goes in the bottom end of the valve. But on the other one, everything looked fine, and they both leaked. So figure that one out.
Anyway, to recap, mine was leaking at the bottom bolt which is just a cap basically, and also at the brake switch. I put it back together with some thread sealant on the threads and the leaks SEEM to have gone away, but I am keeping my eye on it. Time will be the true test. Not ready to count my chickens just yet
So those leaks went away but then I had new leaks at some of the line connections... but I tightened them up some more and they also seem to have gone away. My test drives are only a 2 mile loop around my house. taking it easy. My lines are stainless and they are difficult to seat. I think it's the older stuff (very hard) and they now use a softer stainless. Running DOT 5 fluid. Hoping I don't have to switch back to DOT 3. Not sure what to believe out there.
BTW Fine Lines has been very good about helping me so I just want to give them credit for that. I don't have any bad feelings towards them. They are still sending me a new valve at no charge.
I want to user their kits to repair mine but they don't respond to (their recommended) mode of online inquiries about their parts. Maybe they are out of business? :dunno:
Quote from: mopar jack on July 02, 2020, 07:55:06 AM
you can get rebuild parts from musclecarresearch. https://www.musclecarresearch.com/mopar-parts. I have had a couple of leaks and their parts helped but the leaks are coming back just not as bad. I use dot 5 and though I like the benefits of not harming the paint I think it doesn't keep the seals conditioned properly.
Bringing back this thread to inquire if anyone else is still having problems with leaky proportioning valves? I'm on my 3rd one from Fine Lines and my second set of brake lines and still having leaks.
Leaking out of the brake switch and out of the bottom of the metering valve where that pin is. I actually have a puddle on my floor its gotten so bad.
Fed up.
They didn't answer my last email.
Anyone have an original they'd like to sell me to rebuild?
70 Challenger - power front discs
I just ordered the rebuild kit from Muscle Car Research for my Fine Lines proportioning valve... just to see if their seals might work / are better etc. I'm desperate.
I was trying to keep my car looking original, but at this point... I'm on my 3rd crappy brake valve and 2nd set of lines. I've bled my brakes so many times.... (I digress)
so.... how bout this.... (because I think it's time for a plan B) ... has anyone installed another type of aftermarket proportioning valve that maybe wasn't designed for an E body that they could point me in the direction of? I'm not opposed to bending up some lines / making a bracket. I just need my brakes to stop leaking. (the brakes themselves work great) I just can't keep replacing brake valves for the rest of my life. (Note - definition of insanity - doing the same thing, expecting different results) :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:
:thinking:
Wondering if something like this work
Two inlets, 3 outlets. Adjustable. (Not too concerned about losing the dummy light on the dash)
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/63025/10002/-1