[Shotimes] rear brake questions

[Leigh Smith]

Joseph;
It's possible the two problems are connected. When the proportioning 
valve arm is disconnected, it will almost close, leaving you with very 
little rear brakes.
It will also maintain pressure on the piston when it tries to release.
Test for this condition by releasing parking brake, and then crack open 
a bleed screw and see if the pressure release solves your retraction 
problem.

I would try to get the proportioning valve working again. There is a 
somewhat popular mod on the list of defeating it and relying on the ABS 
to prevent  rear brake lock-up. Personally, I would not rely on this. I 
would not put my life in the hands of a (old, & reliable?) Ford 
electrical system. The mechanical / hydraulic system is there (in part) 
to keep you from spinning the car in a sudden stop. Ever had a car go 
backwards on you at 70mph? BTDT.
Lee


van Oss wrote:

>I have been refurbing the rear brakes on my 91.  Replaced the parking-brake
>cables, both rear calipers, pads, hoses, and had the rotors ground.
>
>One problem:  The return spring on the Left Rear caliper seems not to be
>strong enough.  When I release the parking brake, the lever on the caliper
>does not return to position.  I can pry it up, releasing the rotor, but it
>will not release by itself.  Did I get a bad caliper?  Has anyone
>experienced this?  Anything I can do to correct it?
>
>Also, I never noticed this before:  I seem to have parts missing from the
>proportioning valve.  The valve body itself is not in any way connected to
>the lateral arm.  Is that a bad thing?
>
>Joseph van Oss
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