[Dashman]

I had similar issues with poor braking with the original Bendix 0411 combination valve. Thinking that it was rear brakes, I started by replacing them. It didn't solve the issue, and when I removed the drums the shoes were as if they hadn't been used at all. I sent the proportioning valve to a company mentioned here, and it had a gross leak from the metering valve because they had installed the seal incorrectly. They did say that the spool was seized, and they bored and sleeved it. If I had to do over again, the metering valve isn't very difficult to remove, I would remove everything, inspect, and mic' the bore and spool myself. I simply got stubborn to keep an original component, and I didn't feel like sourcing the seals. I would soak it in muriatic acid for short intervals until it frees itself with minimal force. If it's badly pitted or scratched, then I would decide to keep it and send it to be bored and sleeved, or replace it with a brass combination valve.