Proper alignment of the Brake Height Sensing Valve

[Eagle_SX4]

I could not find an answer any where on what the correct rod length was for the height sensing valve. So I was lucky enough to find an alignment tool on eBay(part number KENT MOORE TOOL J-35853-2). Here is how to properly set up your brake valve to the correct position with an empty bed. Without using the alignment tool.

 

See this thread on making a new rod.

I used a metal ruler from a combination square and a digital angle finder.

 

I removed the rod and put the alignment tool in place. I also set my angle finder to 0. Hanging off the side of the mounting bracket for the valve.

 

Next I adjusted the rod length for the correct position of the valve.

I removed the alignment tool and measured the angle of the flat were the alignment tool indexes on the cam.

As you can see the angle is just about 45 (44.5) degrees. Which is the proper angle for Cam to be in. The bushing and arm get pressed on the valve together and are not timed to the cam itself so the angle of the arm can't be trusted which is why my arm is pointing up and not parallel with the axle like many have suggested.

 

In this last photo you can see the flat used the align the cam. That is where you need to place the straight edge to find the angle of the cam.

 

In this thread you can see the inside of the valve and see the cam I am referring to.

 

 

[Eagle_SX4]

For those of you interested here are some close up pics of the alignment tool.

[gogmorgo]

With the proper dimensions it seems like a cinch to reproduce this bracket deal with a cnc laser cutter. Could cut a dashed line to score the fold lines, and ship it flat in an envelope, let the user make the bends. If there's interest, not sure if there would be knowing the correct angle.

But there's also another one for sale on eBay right now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/174690899235?

Also the installer tool, J-35853-1 https://www.ebay.com/itm/334927934248?. Although that doesn't look like anything super fancy, other than maybe having hollows to fit over the end of the valve shaft and the nub on the back of the valve.

For what it's worth, while searching for a source for the tools, I came across this: https://itsajeepworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/brake-system.pdf Instructions for using the tool and setting it up, which I'm sure you already had, but handy for anyone else.

 

Most places I've seen an angle quoted to hold it up without a rod down to the axle, it's suggested to go slightly above horizontal, like yours is now.