Hope this is the correct location for this test.

Was under my truck looking for a noise that is about to drive me crazy (certified that is) looked up and seen this, not for sure what it is but i know you guys have seen it a thousand times. It is attached to the rear axel left side and goes up to the bed

Need your help. Just what do i have on my truck? It came from the factory with tow package (not for sure just what all that includes).

Had something like this on my motor home that had air-ride system.

Thanks for looking. The correct answer gets a free cup of coffee (at my place) cream and sugar extra.

Thanks for looking and thanks for your inputs.

JT Who

 

Thats a load sensing porportioning valve for the brake system. Its is part of the factory tow package. As you add weight to the bed it changes the distance from the rear axle to the bed moving the lever on the valve applying more braking force to the rear wheels.

 

Give that man a cieeegar........

 

I knew what it was too, so can I have the cup of coffee since Tacomaman87 is getting a cigar?

 

So does air bags defeat that bad boy or what???

 

Yeah, if the bags are aired up enough to not let the springs sag. Being that Dodge is somewhat notorious for lackluster breaks, many guys have removed the proportioning valve in favor of full flow all the time. I personally have had excellent luck with the brakes on my 96, though I'm not sure why All I've done is add the GM rear wheel cylinders.

 

The bottom section of this connects to the axle w/a snap in ball that clips into a round housing....mine usually disconnects itself and flops around...lol.

 

I don't think the proportioning valve came until '97 with the hydro-boost brakes.

 

I have a 98 with tow/camper package, no signs of it ever being there from what I can tell. Bought it with just under 100k.

 

As you can see/tell i am new to this. My first diesel truck and my first dodge.

I have found out real quick that you gentlemen have all the answers.

I greatly appreciate all of the information. Now to pay for the information.

The coffee pot is on.

Again THANK YOU.

JT who

 

Hmmm my 02 3500 doesn't have it, don't see any sign of it ever having one.

 

Besides the valve not appearing until hydroboost brakes I think it also went away with the addition of rear wheel discs.

 

That makes sense. My 01.5 has rear disk brakes, but does not have the load proportioning valve. Another member on this site (mr. bill) has an 01 with rear drums and IIRC he has the valve.

 

My 98 12 valve 2500 has this, and a factory hitch, but no rear sway bar. Does this mean I have some strange variant of the tow package? I thought the tow package included the sway bar? Thinking of losing the load sensing valve anyway, as the linkage pivots are worn and rattle alot, dealer said they're not available separately. I feel that in stock form, my year 2500 needs all the brake it can get.

 

I understand that the "camper package" for the 2500's includes the overload springs and the sway bar. I have the proportioning valve but no over loads and no sway bar but I do have a factory hitch. I dont think there was a "tow package".

And also, my brakes (rear drum) work fantastic. I've thought about the GM cylinder upgrade but not sure if I want to chance messing up a good thing. I think rear drum adjustments are an important factor which gets over looked since the adjusters can stop working from crud or salty roads. So most guys just assume that rear drums are weak.