Deadly ABS?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Medford, OR
Deadly ABS?
I read in an article somewhere that ABS can be a problem when driving off road that will cause you to not be able to stop. Is this a problem on Broncos? I saw a website where they explained how to make a cut off switch for your ABS. I am not very familiar with what ABS does, but would this be a necessary thing to do?
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Deadly ABS?
I don't remember 4 wheel ABS being offered on a Bronco. They have rear wheel ABS which is a little different. It just keeps the rear wheels from locking up. With 4 wheel ABS, I can tell you my Lincoln takes forever to stop on gravel. Quite frankly, I would not buy it as an option- I don't like it. And rain slick streets are not much better- I won't drive my Lincoln in the rain. Lucky for me I have several different vehicles to drive so it's not a big deal.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Gateway to the West
Deadly ABS?
Bronco's were available with four-wheel antilock in about 94-95 (could have been earlier but its not on my 92). ABS reduces fluid flow to the brakes at wheels that lock up. The early systems made this compensation and retained the low fluid flow for the next braking cycle as well. Reduced fluid flow to the wheel that may have tried to lock up last time takes vital stopping power away from that wheel if it has the best chance of stopping the truck the next time you apply the brakes. This is where you can run into problems even on slick pavement much less off-road conditions. I know the antilock system can be disabled which will cause the braking system to perform like a standard system. As far as wiring in some sort of cut-off switch for temporary use, I am not aware of the procedure. Since the antilock system can be disconnected I would imagine that some enterprising person with the necessary information about the electrical requirements for the system could, or already has. Just a matter of doing the research to figure out how.
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Richmond, CA
Deadly ABS?
I beleive that the 4 wheel ABS system became standard in Broncos in 93(or 94) thru 96. I have been off-road with my '90 Bronco w/RABS system quite a few times now. I've been in 2-3 feet of snow, been on muddy roads and dirt roads. I haven't had a problem with the RABS yet. I still stop.
I'm sure somebody has accually disconnected the ABS sytem. But there are a few things to consider, though. There's the ABS computer(which is seperate from the main computer), there is the hydraulic control unit, and the sensor/s(depending on year). My rig only has the one sensor on the rear-end housing. If you have the 4-wheel ABS system, there are also the sensors in each front rotor, along with the one on the rear-end housing.
Hope this helps
I'm sure somebody has accually disconnected the ABS sytem. But there are a few things to consider, though. There's the ABS computer(which is seperate from the main computer), there is the hydraulic control unit, and the sensor/s(depending on year). My rig only has the one sensor on the rear-end housing. If you have the 4-wheel ABS system, there are also the sensors in each front rotor, along with the one on the rear-end housing.
Hope this helps
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Medford, OR
Deadly ABS?
Well, mine is a 93 so it sounds like I have the 4 wheel ABS. Does anyone think this is going to be a major concern for someone who only does occasional hard off roading?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Memphis, TN
Deadly ABS?
It's never a problem. The ABS is a failsafe system, which means that if it malfunctions, it behaves like it was never there: the brakes will work like a pre-'87 (non-ABS) brake system and you'll be able to stop fine. If you do a lot of fording, you may damage the tone rings inside the front hubs and cause the ABS warning light to stay on, but you'll still have brakes.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Medford, OR
Deadly ABS?
Steve,
OK, thanks. The main reason I asked is because I had heard that in certain circumstances (ie. driving down a washboard road) the ABS can cause you to not be able to stop at all
OK, thanks. The main reason I asked is because I had heard that in certain circumstances (ie. driving down a washboard road) the ABS can cause you to not be able to stop at all
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