2012 Nissan Pathfinder R51 help pls - Brake Load Sensor Valve?

[MVZOOM]

Folks,
We have just finished a 3000 mile trip in Australia, towing a 1800kg (4000 pound) trailer. Having braking issues, no bite, sluggish stopping and difficult to manage the load. I checked the front disks, the Pathfinder has around 85,000km on the clock - the front pads have around 70% left and have never been changed, the rears are munched and the dealer has changed the pads.

The Pathfinder isn't mine but has been maintained on schedule by Nissan who hasn't apparently noticed the issue.. anyway, question is this. I think there's an adjustment valve which delivers more bias to the rear. I suspect that the valve is damaged or stuck but two questions:

- I think there is a load sensing valve somewhere but not know where it is?
- I may be wrong - but is there a valve that controls bias, which is variable but not manually controlled?

This truck has done a fair amount of hauling trailers (prob about 30% of it's life thus far).

It makes sense to me that a lot of braking force is being sent to the rear. If we can disable or remediate the LSV, maybe this is an option>

Any help appreciated!

Cheers - Mike

[barnaclebob]

Check the Factory Service Manuals available for free on this website. If there is a Brake Load Sensor then this will tell you how to find it. I know its clear as day to see on R50s and is a lever looking thing with a spring attached.

As far as I can tell it senses when your rear end lifts up during braking and adjusts the brake bias. If towing causes the rear end to squat then it could be sending more brake power to the rear. Its possible that putting the suspension airbags in your rear springs could help. Search for air lift 1000 to see what I'm talking about but that might be the R50 size, R51 may need something slightly different.