Which master cylinder reservoir feeds the front brakes on a Ford dual brake system?

The reservoir closest to the dash panel supplies brake fluid to the front wheel brakes; the reservoir closest to the radiator supplies the rear wheels.

What does the metering valve in the Ford brake control valve do?

It is located in the front end of the control valve central bore between the front brake inlet and outlet ports and regulates hydraulic pressure to the front disc brakes. Its front-end location also gives easy access to the bleeder rod when bleeding the front brake system.

Why does the brake warning light come on with this valve assembly?

If pressure is lost in either the front or rear brake system, the pressure differential valve piston moves off center when the pedal is applied, closing the switch contacts and turning on the warning light. After repairs and bleeding, the piston re-centers on brake application and the light turns off.

What does the proportioning valve do?

It regulates rear brake hydraulic pressure between the rear inlet and outlet ports. Full pressure passes through until the split point; above the split point it reduces pressure to the rear brakes for balanced braking. Split point and slope values are in the Specification Section of this Part.

What two brake control valve designs are shown in the diagrams?

The page shows cutaway diagrams of the Wagner Electric design and the Kelsey-Hayes design, both labeling the bleeder rod, inlets/outlets, metering valve, pressure differential valve, proportioning valve, and brake warning light switch.

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Ford Dual Brake System & Combination Valve Description - Shop Manual 12-01-2

Service manual page on general hydraulic brake service with control valve diagrams

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Scanned service manual page covering dual brake system and pressure differential/metering/proportioning valves with control valve figures.

AI caption March 2012 · Photo 61 of 363

This is page 12-01-2 of a Ford factory shop manual section titled "General Hydraulic Brake Service." It describes the dual brake system used in all models, consisting of a dual master cylinder and a brake control valve assembly containing a pressure differential valve, metering valve, and proportioning valve. The text explains that the master cylinder reservoir closest to the dash feeds the front brakes and the reservoir closest to the radiator feeds the rear brakes. It details the function of each valve: the metering valve regulates hydraulic pressure to the front disc brakes and includes a bleeder rod for front-system bleeding; the pressure differential valve carries a brake warning light switch whose plunger closes contacts and lights the instrument panel warning lamp if front or rear pressure is lost, self-centering after repair and bleeding; the proportioning valve regulates rear brake pressure above a split point for balanced braking, with split point and slope values referenced in the Specification Section. Two labeled cutaway diagrams compare the Wagner Electric and Kelsey-Hayes brake control valve designs, identifying the bleeder rod, front/rear inlets and outlets, metering valve, pressure differential valve, proportioning valve, and brake warning light switch locations.

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Frequently asked questions

Which master cylinder reservoir feeds the front brakes on a Ford dual brake system?: The reservoir closest to the dash panel supplies brake fluid to the front wheel brakes; the reservoir closest to the radiator supplies the rear wheels.
What does the metering valve in the Ford brake control valve do?: It is located in the front end of the control valve central bore between the front brake inlet and outlet ports and regulates hydraulic pressure to the front disc brakes. Its front-end location also gives easy access to the bleeder rod when bleeding the front brake system.
Why does the brake warning light come on with this valve assembly?: If pressure is lost in either the front or rear brake system, the pressure differential valve piston moves off center when the pedal is applied, closing the switch contacts and turning on the warning light. After repairs and bleeding, the piston re-centers on brake application and the light turns off.
What does the proportioning valve do?: It regulates rear brake hydraulic pressure between the rear inlet and outlet ports. Full pressure passes through until the split point; above the split point it reduces pressure to the rear brakes for balanced braking. Split point and slope values are in the Specification Section of this Part.
What two brake control valve designs are shown in the diagrams?: The page shows cutaway diagrams of the Wagner Electric design and the Kelsey-Hayes design, both labeling the bleeder rod, inlets/outlets, metering valve, pressure differential valve, proportioning valve, and brake warning light switch.