Ditchin' ABS

[cmondieyoung]

So.

Spent the past few days in the Canyonlands of Utah with my stock D1...

We were mainly around the Needles District, and spent Saturday on Elephant Hill/Silver Stairs. It had two or three particularly hairy obstacles, and I did quite a number on the poor old truck.

I nutted my front axle pretty nicely on a stair ledge, and the Anti Lock light came on. Now, the ABS systems on this particular Disco has always been a problem. It was very sensitive when I bought the old nag, whirring and chirping at the slightest incongruity in the road. I wrenched a little on it myself, and replaced the sensor -- it worked well for a while, but recently it's been acting a bit, ultimatley affecting my braking on the trail -- the ABS engages way too easily, and the tires don't grab when I need them to.

Long story short, the ABS seems to be fried. However, now that the system appears broken, the braking is "just how I like it" in that it grabs much more effectively on the trail.

What do you all think? Should I say F. the ABS, I like it how it is now... or take it apart again/or grab my ankles for LR?

Essentially my question is--will the integrity of the braking system at large be effected by a broken ABS? I've inspected the rotors, calipers, master cylinder, etc, and all appears in order. There is no shortage of stopping power -- only it locks under low traction/hard braking, which, call me stupid, is something I am comfortable with. (This isn't a daily driver--only rarely do I drive it around town)

 

[vabiro]

When I bought my '98 Disco a couple of years ago I too found that the ABS was ridiculously sensitive. Anything would set it off, even a light dusting of sand at a stop sign. Winter was brutal, with the ABS kicking in all the time.

In August of the next year I changed my stock Michelins for a new set of Yokohama All Terrain, and the ABS problems disappeared.

I think the 5 year old "road apples" were just hard and offered so little traction that it kept kicking on the ABS.

Just a thought...

Victor

 

[marc olivares]

just pull the fuse and be done with it

 

[cmondieyoung]

I'm running small (235) Toyo ATs. They're actually quite exceptional off-road, and they're relatively new, so I'd be loathe to swap em out...

I don't know the first thing about the intricacies of ABS sensors. Are they calibrated to wheel size/weight, etc?

 

[cmondieyoung]

just pull the fuse and be done with it

I like how this man thinks.

So is that a "no" to the question of broken ABS indicative of ultimate brake failure?

 

[Axel]

I like how this man thinks.

So is that a "no" to the question of broken ABS indicative of ultimate brake failure?

Correct. You will not have catastrophic brake failure if ABS is disabled. Depending on which year your Disco is, you might get a Check Engine light, though.

 

[Steve83]

The ABS system is electronic, and by law, failsafe. If the ABS gives out, the hydraulic system MUST work normally, just like before ABS was available on cars.

Now, if you have to go thru vehicle inspection, they can fail you for not having federally-mandated safety systems operational, like seat belts, a windshield, or ABS.

 

[cmondieyoung]

Correct. You will not have catastrophic brake failure if ABS is disabled. Depending on which year your Disco is, you might get a Check Engine light, though.

'96

CE is on.

 

[Axel]

Now, if you have to go thru vehicle inspection, they can fail you for not having federally-mandated safety systems operational, like seat belts, a windshield, or ABS.

That is also correct. Here In NJ they will fail you for any warning light on the dash, such as a lit ABS light because of a failed or disabled ABS.

 

[1st Rover]

ABS is not federally mandated, but braking parameters are. Some vehicles (some Jap stuff I've driven) rely heavily on the ABS to balance poorly balanced brakes and in this case your braking performance could be pretty lousy without ABS.

The ABS is a separate system, without ABS you have regular brakes and only a catastrophic failure of the ABS pump (highly unlikely) would affect the brakes with the ABS not functioning.

SAE studies have shown that all wheels locked is the fastest way to stop in sand, dirt, gravel, and loose snow (for example) so I wish my truck had an on/off switch like my quattro, ... and diff-locked driver's best braking is faster on all surfaces than ABS, ... ABS only improves control in a well maintained braking system with a good driver.

Pull the fuse if you're comfortable with the braking control and effectiveness without ABS.

 

[p m]

I used to have very sensitive ABS that eventually failed altogether - ended up replacing all sensors, and haven't had a problem since (knock on the wood). My wife's a primary driver of the Disco (96 as well), so as long as she drives it, I'd rather keep ABS working.
However, every time I leave the pavement, I pull the ABS fuse from the fuse panel under the steering column. It never tripped the CEL on mine, and ABS light extinguishes right after I put the fuse back in.

 

[LostInBoston]

That is also correct. Here In NJ they will fail you for any warning light on the dash, such as a lit ABS light because of a failed or disabled ABS.

this summer i passed inspection at the Eatontown DMV with my ABS, HDC, ETC and E brake lights lit up. THey noted it on the inspection sheet but said it didnt matter though. I did fail because my headlight was a little loose, so i snaped it back in then passed.

 

[yo! adrian]

Peter what number/location is that fuse? Also, what other fuse is needed to totally disconnect/disengage the ABS altogether? I know I've asked this question before, just never received an answer.

Thanks.

 

[p m]

I believe it is labelled - I just pop the panel under the dash and see which one is that.
If I wanted to disable ABS altogether, I would have eliminated the valve body - you don't want any surprises with something bleeding off the brake fluid pressure.

 

[yo! adrian]

I'll take a gander...thanks PM.