'77 Brake compensator movement

[Rupesy]

I am inspecting the brake compensator and I don't know how much range of travel it should have. I can only move the lever arm a very small amount. Maybe a 1/2" up and down. Does it provide a range of compensation or is it an on/off valve?

[Rupesy]

I would also like to know if by pulling down the compensator lever all the way down if this completely disengages the rear system or if it only limits the system. I had it pulled all the way down and the brakes still work (at least I couldn't rotate the rotors by hand once the brakes were on).

[vandor]

I am pretty sure it cuts almost all the pressure to the rear when the axle is all the way down, because you can't bleed the brakes if the axle is hanging. However, you can exert very little force by hand compared to a rolling car.

I would peel back the boot and see if the lever actually activates the compensator. The compensator may be locked up and not doing anything.