Les Schwab says my "proportional valve" is leaking. They don't know if they fix it

Hello friends - I had a complete brake rebuild by Les Schwab a year ago, and yesterday I noticed my fluid reservoir was an inch low. I thought it was a leaking wheel cylinder.

I took it in today and they said the line going into my proportional valve (bolted on the rear axel) is leaking. It is not covered by warranty and they have to wait until next week to find out if they even fix them. I asked if this is a common thing, and he said he's never seen this happen in the 5 years he worked there.

Now I ask you, how much should it cost to fix it (how many hours labor)? Is the valve probably busted, or just a cracked brake line that's leaking? Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks for your help.

 

It's just attached to some double flared hard lines and a soft line.

Bolt on situation and easy to replace.

Only thing is, it'll require using some brake fluid after replacement cause they'll need to bleed your system.

Overall a very simple job that shouldn't take more than half an hour if using a machine to bleed the system.

 

Where does your Truck live?

Here in Pa rusted brake lines are common

If they don`t fix that kind of problem i would find someone else. How did they bleed the brakes

Where I Live this can get quite Expensive If the LSPV has failed broken and twisted off brake lines

 

My suggestion is to get some clarification on the leak. Is there an issue with the load sensing proportioning valve itself, or a brake line connecting to it?

Honestly- if a shop cannot figure out either of those tasks, MOVE ON, to someone else who can.

If it's a hard brake line there are two options:
- source an OEM line
- make a new one from raw materials

If it's the valve itself:
- source an OEM valve
- source an aftermarket valve

Those are the options. No more, no less. It's that simple. "They don't know" is complete BS.

 

I am constantly amazed at the ignorance and lack of skilled and or educated people out there. This is Les Schwab, A shop that DOES BRAKES! HOW can they be baffled at this?

 

^'96 truck is probably older than most of the techs working at the shop. To them a proportioning valve may as well be a fossil, like carburators.

 

Even so, thats the least he should know. I'll bet the same moron couldn't tell you which shoe is the lead shoe on a drum brake shoe set. Afterall if he only knows how to slap on disc pads. Thats scary bad.

 

I live in Oregon, wet but no road salt rust, Is it safe to drive this way and keep the reservoir full?

 

I should have clarified that it was on a Saturday and they wanted the manager there to see if they got into repairing more than just a simple brake job replacing pads & rotors

 

Fix it. Leaks never fix themselves and usually get worse at the worse possible moment. [like jamming on your brakes for some idiot who pulled in front of you and then stopped.]

It'll be a PITA if everything is rusted, and pretty easy if it's not and everything comes apart. Power bleed the brake system and install self bleeders [$20, best $20 bucks you will ever spend] at the same time.

If you are going to do it yourself, buy a GOOD set of line wrenches, do NOT use open end wrenches, they are useless and will just round them out. A little heat isn't a bad thing either, a good penetrating oil like Kroil is very useful.

 

Thanks. Road salt was illegal here in oregon for the environemnt, so we don't have the same rust issues out here

 

$45 47910-35320 Brake Proportioning Valve Fits:Toyota Tacoma 1995-1996-1997-1998-1999-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004

https://www.amazon.com/47910-35320-...8-1999-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004/dp/B07WLWCHZ3

Damn, $39.00 is cheap af

I feel a lot better after seeing this

 

have you crawled under to look at it yourself? if you can see the leak point and it is on a port you may need the line that go into the port as well
safe to drive? how fast is the leak? also a panic stop might result in a rupture failure (I've been there, no fun)

 

As long as you understand it could become a major failure at any time .

It would not be the first time I put a plug in a brake fitting as an emergency fix.

 

now the rest of the story.

That makes a big difference Holiday weekend as well!!!

 

The valve isn't cheap but it's fairly simple to replace.

 

There is two lines involved....the supply and the return......so your gonna have to troubleshoot and find exactly where its leaking...

If you dont change rear loads.....you can use an old fashioned mechanical hand adjustment one .......
......and get rid of the return tube in the process....


So post pics.....and see what everyone suggests....

IF its not one of those hard lines....its a pretty easy fix.....

just cant use oem.....that one, if you can still get it was like $300......

 

(4) TOYOTA LSPV DELETE / WILWOOD PROPORTIONING VALVE INSTALL - YouTube

 

And drive that very carefully....if one of those lines burst....you lose all braking...
leaving you with rolling resistance and a parking brake cable as the only things to slow you down....

 

Have you ever considered typing at least one complete statement?